(JEWISH GROUP) Senators Introduce Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
Today, U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) and Max Miller (OH-07) will file legislation to help ensure hundreds of fallen American-Jewish servicemembers are buried under military grave markers that represent their true religion and heritage.
“It is critical that Jewish Americans who served our nation in uniform and paid the ultimate price are able to be laid to rest honoring their religious heritage,” said Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz. “Unfortunately, due to the fog of war, there were hundreds of Jewish servicemembers who were improperly buried under Latin crosses in American Battle Monuments Commission cemeteries. This bill is an important step to allow more descendants of these brave Jewish servicemembers the resources needed to properly honor their loved one’s military service, life, and religious heritage.”
“Every American who puts on the uniform deserves to be remembered with dignity and respect. Many brave servicemembers made the ultimate sacrifice while defending freedom in World War I and World War II—but due to clerical errors or concerns for their safety during service, their religious identities were not properly recorded,” said Congressman Miller. “This bill is a meaningful step to correct those errors and ensure these heroes are laid to rest with the honor and dignity they deserve.”
“We owe a debt we can never repay to those who have given their last full measure of devotion on behalf of our nation and the freedoms we cherish, religious liberty being chief among them,” said Senator Moran. “This legislation makes certain that the religious heritage of those who have died for our country, particularly Jewish-American servicemembers, is rightfully represented at their final resting places, providing their survivors with assurance that their loved one’s faith is being acknowledged and memorialized with accuracy.”
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