This essay had started out as round-up of recent news about the struggle against theocratic trends in the U.S. It still is, but thanks to the approach of Memorial Day, I have rewritten it in light of the sudden realization that the wise words of some vets more than 25 years ago, influenced me in ways that I never fully understood, until now.

On this Memorial Day weekend, I want to recall and thank the men and women of my parents’ generation who fought in World War II; those who never came home, and those who did — especially those who tried to find something out of their experience of the horrors of war to help the society to which they returned to understand the value of what we have. Some of them taught me a lesson that informs my life and my work to this day. I believe that in their way, they were seeking to honor those who did not come home. And I want to join in honoring thier sacrifice.

Like many of my generation, I opposed the war in Vietnam. There were painful divisions in our country over that war that linger on today. But there were some who supported the war — WWII vets, men I hardly knew — who said something to me that has stayed with me all these years. I no longer remember thier names, or maybe I never knew them in the first place, but I will never forget what they said: “I disagree with what you are saying, but I will fight for your right to say it.”

There was no question in my mind that they meant exactly what they said. But it has taken me these years for the full impact to hit me — as it did last night as I started to write and the tears streamed down my face.

This essay is my Memorial Day tribute to them, the sacrifices they made, and the honor and wisdom of their words that helped shape my life. They stood for an idea of America that is America at its best. I hope that I may do justice to them.

Here are three stories about the ongoing fight for people to believe and to speak freely in America.

Rob Boston, writing at The Wall of Separation (the blog at Americans United for Separation of Church and State) reports that the Air Force is scrambling to recover from revelations that the United States Air Force Academy has apparently engendered a domineering evangelical Christian culture on campus, resulting in rampant religious supremacism and toleration of hate speech, among other attacks on the civil and constitutional rights of cadets. The good news is that Air Force seems to be acting decisively and has issued a remarkable statement:

“‘Senior leaders, commanders, and supervisors at every level must be particularly sensitive to the fact that subordinates can consider your public expressions of belief systems coercive. Using your place at the podium as a platform for your personal beliefs can be perceived as misuse of office. Where, when, and how you espouse your beliefs is important. Use your best judgment, and show your Airmen the respect you want to receive.’”

The Air Force also affirms that personnel and their families have the right “to hold to any belief system they choose…. This includes respecting an Airman’s right to align with traditional religious views as well as his/her right to not align with any specific view.”

Here is the part that nails it for me: “We have the honorable privilege of upholding a Constitution that both protects each American’s right to freely exercise their religion and forbids the government’s establishment of religion. Commanders are responsible to create conditions where those tenets flourish simultaneously, limited only by the requirements of good order and discipline and military necessity.”

These are all the right words. But Members of Congress are intent on ensuring that the the Academy lives up to them. Let’s encourage the Air Force and Congress to continue to do the right thing.

But while religious bigotry may get cleaned up at the Air Force Academy, what to do about Cale J. Bradford the state judge in Indiana who has ordered two parents not to discuss their faith with their child?

The Indianapolis Star reports, “An Indianapolis father is appealing a Marion County judge’s unusual order that prohibits him and his ex-wife from exposing their child to ‘non-mainstream religious beliefs and rituals.’ The parents practice Wicca, a contemporary pagan religion that emphasizes a balance in nature and reverence for the earth.” The ACLU is representing the parents in their appeal. Legal scholars interviewed by the Star think getting the order reversed should be “a slam dunk.”

“Even the U.S. military accommodates Wiccans and educates chaplains about their beliefs, said Lawrence W. Snyder, an associate professor of religious studies at Western Kentucky University. ‘The federal government has given Wiccans protection under the First Amendment,’ Snyder said. ‘Unless this judge has some very specific information about activities involving the child that are harmful, the law is not on his side.’”

Chuck Currie has the story of how over 800 students, faculty and alumni of Calvin College recently took out a full page ad in the Grand Rapids, Michigan newspaper in response to the planned commencement speech by President George Bush. Their statement read in part:

“By their deeds ye shall know them, says the Bible. Your deeds, Mr. President–neglecting the needy to coddle the rich, desecrating the environment, and misleading the country into war–do not exemplify the faith we live by… Furthermore, we urge you to repudiate the false claims of supporters who say that those who oppose your policies are the enemies of religion.”

Commenter Greg (scroll down past the original post), has the text of another ad — which also appeared in the Grand Rapids Press. This one was signed by 140 Calvin College faculty staff and emeriti, who declared in part: “…we understand that no single political position should be identified with God’s will, and we are conscious that this applies to our own views as well as those of others. At the same time we see conflicts between our understanding of what Christians are called to do and many of the policies of your administration.”

“As Christians we are called to be peacemakers and to initiate war only as a last resort. We believe your administration has launched an unjust and unjustified war in Iraq.”

“As Christians we are called to lift up the hungry and impoverished. We believe your administration has taken actions that favor the wealthy of our society and burden the poor.”

“As Christians we are called to actions characterized by love, gentleness, and concern for the most vulnerable among us. We believe your administration has fostered intolerance and divisiveness and has often failed to listen to those with whom it disagrees.”

Jesus Politics has more on the courageous Calvin College protestors, as does Bruce Prescott at Talk to Action: “David Crump and the other dissenting professors at Calvin College have given hope and encouragement to a lot of other evangelicals who are tired of being lumped together with the right wing,” Prescott writes. “When so many Christians do little more than give lip service to a faith that risks everything for Christ, thanks for having the courage to put your faith in action.”

On this Memorial Day weekend, let’s resolve to fight for those who are persecuted for having different views, whether they are Jews, Lutherans and atheists at the Air Force Academy or Wiccans in Indianapolis. And let’s thank and honor the evangelical Christians at Calvin College who had the courage to confront, with great civility, a cowardly president who goes to exraordinary lengths to appear in public only with those who agree with him.

I can think of no better way to honor those who fought that we might be free to disagree.