Mountain Jesus

Your Voice Needs to Be Heard

Rep. Rehberg visits the Monument in September, 2011

With your help, and the united voice of nearly 100,000 Americans, we got the Forest Service to do the right thing and extend the special use permit for the Veterans Jesus Memorial on Big Mountain.  That’s great news, because it’s been there in the Flathead National Forest near Kalispell, MT since 1953.  The statue, which sits on a 25’ by 25’ parcel of land leased from the Forest Service, is maintained by the Knights of Columbus Council No. 1328 and celebrated by the local community.

But the fight isn’t over.  The Forest Service did the right thing, and as they say, no good deed goes unpunished.

Almost immediately after making its decision, well-funded out-of-state lawyers began working on a lawsuit to have the statue forcibly removed.  So now the fate of the Veterans Jesus Memorial rests in the court.

And with your help, this is a fight we’re going to win.
 

I’ve seen first-hand that this memorial is an irreplaceable part of our state’s history and a unique and colorful part of the local culture.  Using a tiny section of public land for a war memorial with religious themes is not the same as establishing a state religion. That’s true whether it’s a cross or a Star of David on a headstone in the Arlington National Cemetery, an angel on the Montana Vietnam Memorial in Missoula or a statue of Jesus on Big Mountain.  The Forest Service did the right thing, and now it’s up to us to stand with them in their legal fight.

I have signed a supportive comment to the court – called an Amicus Brief.  You can read it here (PDF).

Do you support it too?  Please respond below.

On Twitter?  Use the hashtag #WWIIJesus

To read & comment on a legislative proposal to swap land and save the statue click here.

DRAFT Amicus Brief ( 02/29/12 06:05 AM PST )
Read a draft of the ACLJ Amicus Brief (PDF)

Amicus Brief Support

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