OFF THE WIRE
Scott Radetski, Karen Mendoza, Jon Gross and Shannon Book work to carry a 13-foot cross to the top of a mountain at Camp Pendleton on Nov. 10, 2011, to recognize those Marines who have fallen or been wounded in combat. RICK LOOMIS | Los Angeles Times file photo
The Marine Corps is still pondering what to do with two unauthorized memorial crosses atop a 3,000-foot Camp Pendleton hillside.
Officials have been in decision-making mode for roughly six months, since the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers ignited a controversy by complaining that the crosses constitute an unlawful endorsement of Christianity on federal property.
The crosses were installed by troops and their families in 2003 and 2011 high above the base's Camp Horno.
Jason Torpy, the head of the atheist group that filed the complaint, said this week that the lack of a decision from the Marine Corps is nothing more than foot-dragging.
"The Marine Corps leadership has what it wants with the crosses there," Torpy said during a telephone interview. "I'm used to being strung along, but that doesn't change the fact that the crosses are illegal and continue to give the impression that the Marines are privileging one religion over all others."
A Marine Corps spokeswoman defended how long it's taking to decide whether the crosses stay or go.
"We are thoroughly and deliberately evaluating the issues raised by the existence of the informal memorial in order to assess the impact on the installation," said the spokeswoman, Capt. Kendra Motz.
She went on to say a decision is expected "in the next couple weeks to couple of months."
Former base commander Col. Nicholas Marano has said he would like the crosses to stay. The decision will be made by officials at the headquarters of the Marine Corps in Washington.
Torpy is a veteran U.S. Army captain with one combat deployment to Iraq. His complaint prompted a strong reaction from like-minded supporters of his position and from Christian groups vehemently opposed to the crosses' removal.
People on both sides of the debate have vowed to sue if the decision doesn't go their way.
Torpy's argument is that the crosses are universally recognized Christian icons and as such are an unconstitutional endorsement of the Christian religion on publicly owned land.
The first one ---- put up in August 2003 by a base unit before it deployed to Iraq ---- burned down in a 2007 wildfire and was replaced in 2008 about 60 feet from the original site.
The second and much larger one was put up on Veterans Day last year.
Former Marines and sailors involved in the original 2003 effort helped install the latest cross, joined by survivors of troops killed in combat.
Over the years, it's become a rite of passage for hundreds of Marines to march to the site using the steepest possible route before or after a combat deployment.
It's also evolved into a place to pay homage to troops who died in combat, marked by hundreds of mementos and messages of love and remembrance.
Torpy says he fully understands and appreciates that aspect of the site. But the crosses still need to come down, he said.
"The only right decision is to take the crosses away," he said. "There are lots of other ways to honor fallen brothers."
Officials have been in decision-making mode for roughly six months, since the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers ignited a controversy by complaining that the crosses constitute an unlawful endorsement of Christianity on federal property.
The crosses were installed by troops and their families in 2003 and 2011 high above the base's Camp Horno.
Jason Torpy, the head of the atheist group that filed the complaint, said this week that the lack of a decision from the Marine Corps is nothing more than foot-dragging.
"The Marine Corps leadership has what it wants with the crosses there," Torpy said during a telephone interview. "I'm used to being strung along, but that doesn't change the fact that the crosses are illegal and continue to give the impression that the Marines are privileging one religion over all others."
A Marine Corps spokeswoman defended how long it's taking to decide whether the crosses stay or go.
"We are thoroughly and deliberately evaluating the issues raised by the existence of the informal memorial in order to assess the impact on the installation," said the spokeswoman, Capt. Kendra Motz.
She went on to say a decision is expected "in the next couple weeks to couple of months."
Former base commander Col. Nicholas Marano has said he would like the crosses to stay. The decision will be made by officials at the headquarters of the Marine Corps in Washington.
Torpy is a veteran U.S. Army captain with one combat deployment to Iraq. His complaint prompted a strong reaction from like-minded supporters of his position and from Christian groups vehemently opposed to the crosses' removal.
People on both sides of the debate have vowed to sue if the decision doesn't go their way.
Torpy's argument is that the crosses are universally recognized Christian icons and as such are an unconstitutional endorsement of the Christian religion on publicly owned land.
The first one ---- put up in August 2003 by a base unit before it deployed to Iraq ---- burned down in a 2007 wildfire and was replaced in 2008 about 60 feet from the original site.
The second and much larger one was put up on Veterans Day last year.
Former Marines and sailors involved in the original 2003 effort helped install the latest cross, joined by survivors of troops killed in combat.
Over the years, it's become a rite of passage for hundreds of Marines to march to the site using the steepest possible route before or after a combat deployment.
It's also evolved into a place to pay homage to troops who died in combat, marked by hundreds of mementos and messages of love and remembrance.
Torpy says he fully understands and appreciates that aspect of the site. But the crosses still need to come down, he said.
"The only right decision is to take the crosses away," he said. "There are lots of other ways to honor fallen brothers."
