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From Lexington and Valley Forge to Normandy, Korea, and Vietnam—and now to Iraq and Afghanistan—America’s military forces have bravely fought for Freedom and in defense of our Nation.  Veteran’s Day is a time to remember our fighting men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation with their very lives.

Let us not only take the time to remember the heroic sacrifices of our military throughout our nation’s history, but also to remember the heroic sacrifices our combat men and women are making in Iraq and Afghanistan today.

Let us take this time to pray for our troops who have died in battle, and for their loved ones who still mourn their great loss.  Let us also pray for our troops who are in harm’s way today.

Below is a poem by Marine chaplain Father Dennis Edward O’Brien, which eloquently speaks to both the courage and the irony in the role our soldiers play in protecting our great nation:

It is the Soldier

It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the Soldier, who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protestor to burn the flag.

Watch a Powerful  Video of  American Veterans who have fought for OUR freedom

In open defiance of President Obama, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the U.S. Marine Corps’ new commandant told reporters in California on Saturday that open homosexuality in the military could be disastrous to our combat effectiveness.  “There is nothing more intimate than young men and young women — and when you talk of infantry, we’re talking our young men — laying out, sleeping alongside of one another and sharing death, fear and loss of brothers,” Lt. General James Amos said. “I don’t know what the effect of that will be on cohesion. I mean, that’s what we’re looking at. It’s unit cohesion, it’s combat effectiveness.”

The controversy over the Obama’s efforts to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law has created a public split between senior military leaders and President Obama’s political appointees.  Both Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, told Congress earlier in the year that they personally believe the law should be repealed. Furthermore, Admiral Mullen said he was “surprised” at General Amos’ recent comments, and thought that such views should be discussed “privately.”

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, commented: “President Obama’s motivation to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law has nothing to do with a desire to enhance the combat effectiveness of our Armed Forces. It has everything to do with his desire to fulfill campaign promises and curry favor with homosexual advocacy groups—regardless of its harm to our national security.”

In  February 2010,  Army Chief of Staff, General George W. Casey Jr. told the Senate Committee on Armed Services, “I do have serious concerns about the impact of the repeal of the law on a force that is fully engaged in two wars and has been at war for 8 ½ years. We just don’t know the impacts on readiness and military effectiveness.”

On February 25, 2010, Marine General James T. Conway, the out-going Commandant of the Marine Corps, told the Senate Committee on Armed Services that the “the current policy works.”

“My best military advice to this committee, to the secretary, to the president would be to keep the law such as it is,” Gen. Conway said.

In a subsequent interview with Fox News, General Conway indicated that as many as 95 percent of Marines would be uncomfortable serving alongside openly gay troops.  He indicated that a majority of his men and women think a repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy barring gays would be problematic.

President Barack Obama has repeatedly promised homosexual activists—counted among his most ardent supporters—that he intends to overturn “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” during the lame-duck session, thus effectively dismantling the finest fighting force in human history.

ANN ARBOR, MI – Federal District Judge Virginia A. Phillips has seized control of America’s armed forces worldwide by ordering the United States of America, the Secretary of Defense, and all military officers to stop enforcing the law prohibiting open homosexuals from serving in the military.  Judge Phillips, a Clinton-appointee, further ordered the immediate suspension of any investigation or discharge that may have been commenced under the law.

Judge Phillips’ order ignores Section 8 of our Constitution that gives the power to Congress “To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces.”  Her ruling also ignores the U. S. Supreme Court admonition that the judiciary is the least qualified branch of government to make policy for the military.

In fact, more 1,163 distinguished retired military leaders from all branches of the services including two former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, several Service Chiefs and a number of combat commanders have signed an open letter that supports the law prohibiting homosexuals from serving in the military.  In a statement released last year, they expressed their alarm about the impact a repeal of the ban would have on “morale, discipline, unit cohesion, and overall readiness.”

The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has actively opposed militant homosexual advocacy groups which zealously and methodically seek to homosexualize the military regardless of the impact on national security.

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center warned: “If Judge Phillips’ order is allowed to stand, it will ultimately result in the destruction of the most effective military force in the history of the world. We now have an all-volunteer military.  Studies show that up to 24 percent of our military would resign when their term is up should open homosexuals be allowed in the military.  Parents will discourage their young sons and daughters from enlisting in an organization that will ultimately be dominated by homosexuals and their agenda.”

Continued Thompson: “The primary purpose of our military is to win wars.  Our military should not be used as a laboratory for social experimentation.  We must not allow a political agenda to destroy our war- fighting capabilities. I believe Judge Phillip’s Order leaves the Justice Department no choice but to appeal her over-reaching and ridiculous order.”

According to Judge Phillips’s order:

Defendants United States of America and the Secretary of Defense [are ordered] immediately to suspend and discontinue any investigation, or discharge, separation, or other proceeding, that may have been commenced under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Act, or pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 654 or its implementing regulations, on or prior to the date of this Judgment.

Click here to read the judge’s order and injunction.

Detroit Federal District Judge George Caram Steeh this afternoon ruled that the Thomas More Law Center and the four Michigan plaintiffs it represented had standing to challenge the Health Care Reform Act and that the challenge was ripe for review.  The Judge held, however, that Congress has the authority under its Commerce Clause power to enact the individual mandate provision of the Act, which requires individuals to purchase health care insurance under penalty of federal law. [Read  Order here]

Judge Steeh is the first judge to nationally rule on the key objection to the law.  The Thomas More Law Center, a national Christian public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor Michigan, sued on behalf of itself and four plaintiffs.  By ruling in favor of the plaintiffs on all the jurisdictional issues, the case is in a posture for review by federal appellate courts on the substantive issue of whether the health care law violates the Commerce Clause.

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Law Center commented, “Obama Care is one of the most oppressive measures in the history of our Nation.  And it was passed by Congress despite overwhelming opposition of the American people.  It was not about reforming health care, but government seizure of unprecedented power over our lives.  It transfers control of one-sixth of our Nation’s economy to Washington bureaucrats, and it will add an estimated 16,000 to 20,000 additional IRS agents to monitor tax returns and records to determine compliance with the new regulations.  We will continue to challenge it in the courts.”

According to the Law Center, the court took the extraordinary step of concluding that Congress’ Commerce Clause power does not end at regulating economic activity.  Rather, this power can be extended to regulate economic decisions whether made consciously or not.  The court stated, “While plaintiffs describe the Commerce Clause power as reaching economic activity, the government’s characterization of the Commerce Clause reaching economic decisions is more accurate.”

Rob Muise, The Law Center’s senior trial counsel who handled the case commented, “This decision is ripe for appeal, which we intend to do expeditiously.”

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.