‘In response to the backlash from the archdiocese, the First Liberty Institute and the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, Walter Reed told Catholic News Agency that it was "reviewing the contract and unable to provide specifics.’
‘A number of accommodation processes were fragmented and difficult for service members and approving officials to navigate without a standardized and transparent system of record’
‘This policy is not just illegal, it shamefully politicizes the military, circumvents the authority of Congress, and exceeds the authority of the Department of Defense’
‘We are delighted to present our Torchbearer Award to these men for their faithful stand to protect service members’ God-given, constitutionally protected religious liberties. No American, especially those who wear the uniform, should be denied their religious liberties’
‘No American, especially those who wear our nation’s military uniforms, should be denied their God-given, constitutionally protected religious freedoms’
‘The court’s unfortunate decision to strike down the federal definition of marriage highlights the need for the religious liberty protections recently passed by the House Armed Services Committee and the full House of Representatives’
‘The president’s objections to many other provisions of the 2014 NDAA--including Purple Heart awards for Americans wounded by in-U.S. terrorists--demonstrates his utter disdain for the views of elected representatives and endangers the free exercise of religion in the Armed Services’
‘This is a significant step in assuring that all of our military personnel, including chaplains, can continue to serve and maintain their religious beliefs or moral convictions without fear of retribution’
The letter’s call for the delay of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal until after clear policies are established to take DADT’s place--thus advised to avoid uncertainty and harm to our troops.