Photo by Michael Stravato of the New York Times

To recap, my previous article entitled God Bless Our Military … Just Not At The Houston National Cemetery, shared how the Houston National Cemetery Director, Ms. Arlene Ocasio, was requiring grieving families and volunteer groups to not use the words “God” or “Jesus” at any funeral ceremony without her prior approval.

• The VA will not interfere with prayers during burial services.
• The VA will not edit or control the speeches of speakers at ceremonies or events at the cemetery containing religious messages or viewpoints and cannot ban religious words in verbal communications between the volunteers and veteran’s families.
• The VA will not ban religious speech or words like “God” or “Jesus” in condolence cards or gifts.
• Payment by the VA of the veterans groups’ $215,000 in legal fees.
• The VA will have a Bible, Cross and Star of David placed on an open shelf within the Chapel, that will be easily accessible and available for use by families if they so choose.
• The local members of VFW District 4 and Houston National Memorial Ladies would resign their positions as official VA volunteers. They will be free to provide their own texts of recitations to funeral homes so that veterans’ families can decide if they would like these groups to provide any services at the cemetery.

As you may remember, Ms. Ocasio has repeatedly stated that she was only trying to make prayers more inclusive of other religions, but instead:

1. … instructed Veterans of Foreign Wars District 4 to remove prayers from its burial rituals and to no longer utter remarks when handing the discharged shell cases from the rifle salute to the family of deceased veterans.
2. … instructed American Legion Post 586 to remove prayers from its burial rituals.
3. … told the National Memorial Ladies that they could no longer include “God Bless” in their condolence cards or speak religious messages to veterans’ families.
4. … shut down the Cemetery chapel and use it now for only a storage and meeting facility.

Despite the Department of Veteran Affairs defending Ms. Ocasio’s actions, even Texas Congressman John Culberson found the accusations to be TRUE when he went undercover at the cemetery.

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As you may remember, my previous article entitled God Bless Our Military … Just Not At The Houston National Cemetery, shared how the Houston National Cemetery Director, Ms. Arlene Ocasio, was requiring grieving families and volunteer groups to not use the words “God” or “Jesus” at any funeral ceremony without her prior approval.  This has been a hot topic here in the Houston area, but Ms. Ocasio remains in her position as are her expressed requirements carried out by her employees to ensure prayers are more inclusive of other religions.

Earlier this week, the Department of Veterans Affairs defended Ms. Arlene Ocasio stating the accusations in the current lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs and Ms. Arleen Ocasio were categorically false.  Congressman John Culberson, U.S. Representative of Texas District 7, took it upon himself to go undercover at a recent military hero’s funeral and found the truth.  He personally witnessed censorship of freedom of speech and freedom of religion at the funerals of our veterans.

Listen here as KTRH’s Matt Patrick talks to Congressman Culberson on this morning’s radio show. There is purposeful, deliberate and repeated interference occurring against the grieving families, the VFW Honor Guard and other volunteer organizations there in support of our military hero funerals.

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Tears began swelling in my eyes early as we drove off the Sam Houston toll road onto the feeder road to a complete stop well before the signal light to turn onto Veteran’s Memorial Boulevard.  I felt great pride in knowing so many of my fellow Texans felt as we did and were able to attend this event.  We arrived with plenty of time, but with the turn out of what I’d say was close to 1,000 people, we ended up having to park at the far end of the cemetery and were a teeny bit late to hearing the first couple speakers.  But the hundred-degree heat was going to stop us. We all heard the call and we came.  As we walked up to the event, I heard “pardon the noise, but this is the sound of freedom.”  Cheers roared throughout the crowd. How sweet it is.

Make a note Texans:  All politicians representing the Houston area were invited to this event.  Some attended, many did not.  I’d like to thank those who I heard speak:  Dave Welch, Executive Director, US Pastor Council, Paul Bettencourt, Pastor Willie Davis, Congressman Pete Olson, State Representative Debbie Riddle, Pastor Scot Wall, Gold Star Mom Debora Wallace, my State Representative Allen Fletcher, Jay Guerrero speaking on behalf of Senator John Cornyn, Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart, Pastor Steve Riggle and Congressman Ted Poe.  I will remember these names.
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