Air Force backs out of flyover of festival after 42 years of participation

July 8, 1:51 PMChristian Worldview ExaminerBill Belew

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For more than 40 years the Air Force has been doing flyovers at an Idaho community local festival. This year, the Air Force turned them down because of the festival's religious focus.

The God and Country Family Festival in Nampa, Idaho, was denied by the Pentagon in an e-mail bcause the Pentagon prohibited support of special interest groups.

"I called him immediately and just said, you know hey we've been doing this for 42 years, we've had flyovers, what is the problem?" Syme told KTBV. "And he said, well we have looked up your Web site and everything on your Web site seemed to focus on Christianity, ministry booths. And he said, in fact, ma'am it sounds like it focuses on Christianity. And he said, in fact, it would be great to go to, in fact, if I personally, could come I would, but we can't endorse such an endeavor, so they couldn't do the flyover."

A defense department official told FOX News the Air Force denies requests "that provides a selective benefit to any individual, group, or organization, including any religious or sectarian organization, ideological movement, political campaign or organization, or commercial enterprise, to include a shopping mall or motion picture promotion."

"Capt. Tom Wenz from Air Force public affairs told FOX News that past participation was due to the fact that the event was described only as a 'patriotic tribute,' and the Air Force wasn't aware until now of the apparent focus on Christianity, despite the festival's name."

Until now? - It took the Air Force 42 years before they decided to check?

Click here for more on this story and to watch a video at KTBV.com.