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| Lieutenant Colonel Mark Johnson |
Since 2006, student groups (College Republicans, Young Americans Foundation) with help from some ROTC cadets at UW-La Crosse have organized a 3000 flag memorial in remembrance of 9/11 on Sept 11th. The display has sometimes included a cross. In fact in 2007 in the UW-L ROTC newsletter cadet Tasha Geitz wrote a front page article talking about how proud the cadets were to be a part of the display. The article even mentioned the fact that a cross Back in 2008 a professor complained about the memorial having a cross in the display. This caused a bit a controversy with the University putting pressure on the student groups to change their display. Now ROTC commander Lieutenant Colonel Mark W. Johnson has barred his cadets from participating in the memorial because he considers the display controversial because of the inclusion of a cross in the display. Below is an email change between the Colonel and one the organizers of the memorial.
On Thu, Sep 8, 2011 at 2:42 PM, Mark Johnson <mjohnson2@uwlax.edu> wrote:
Greg,
We would be happy to support the memorial as long as it is a non-partisan flag placement only, with no political statements and no acknowledgement that the display is sponsored by a partisan organization.
A couple of years ago, the organization sponsoring the flag placement placed additional flags in a Christian cross arrangement after the cadets had left the area. This caused some controversy on campus, and the “word on the street” was that ROTC cadets were responsible. I cannot afford to again let ROTC be involved in such controversial actions.
mwj
Mark W. Johnson
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Professor of Military Science
University of Wisconsin—La Crosse
608-785-8405 (o)
608-633-5120 (c)
Colonel,
I am new to the area and the event. I understand it to be simply 3000 flags stuck in the ground. Katie Johnson a UWL student is heading the event. Her email is johnson.kat6@uwlax.edu if you could have some of your troops that are interested get a hold of her. She is planning the setup of the flags tomorrow afternoon.
As an aside, are you also saying the ROTC doesn't get involved in anything with any reference to God? I was in UWL AFROTC and served 4 years active duty in the 80s and swore an oath to uphold the constitution and obey orders from the president and officers over me yada, yada... so help me God. Do they still do that?
BTW, I looked up the articles from the brewhaha in 2008 with the flags in the shape of a cross and it said that a single professor walked by it and filed a complaint.
Greg
From: Mark Johnson <mjohnson2@uwlax.edu>
Date: Thu, Sep 8, 2011 at 5:03 PM
Subject: RE: 9/11 Never Forget Display
To: Greg
Greg:
Unlike you, I was here in 2008. I can assure you that the “brewhaha” went far beyond a single professor. End of debate.
Please don’t make assumptions or put words in my mouth. I never said anything even remotely close to “ROTC doesn’t get involved in anything with any reference to God.” Many of my cadets belong to a number of different faith groups, and I encourage all of them to explore their spirituality as they see fit. Officially endorsing one religion over all others, however, is another thing (I’m sure you are familiar with the First Amendment to the Constitution). Yes, the words “so help me God” remain part of the commissioning oath. Please note that the oath does not say “so help me Christ.” From a command point of view, religion in the military must remain neutral in terms of denominations.
Another thing I teach my cadets is to plan ahead. If we had received more lead time on the flag display, we probably would have gotten involved. Since we are now less than 24 hours out from execution, we will not be able to participate this year.
mwj
Mark W. Johnson
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Professor of Military Science
University of Wisconsin—La Crosse
608-785-8405 (o)
608-633-5120 (c)
