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Makeshift Marine memorial under fire

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    Military atheist group objects to cross

  • Duration 3:56
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213 foot crosses stand high atop this hill at Camp Pendleton in California.

There were placed there by seven Marines back in 2003 to honor.

Their fallen friends now nearly a decade later three of the men who raised those crosses.

Have made the ultimate sacrifice themselves that's why their families are shocked to hear that a group of atheists want the cross is torn down.

-- Mendoza her husband major -- Mendoza -- won the original seven Marines who build the memorial.

He was killed in combat in 20052.

Morning -- windows how are you.

-- I think -- good morning how are you were honored to have you here.

Tell us about your husband.

And.

What he did with regard to this memorial and why it's so important that it go forward.

My late husband ray along with six other Marines and sailors from second battalion first Marines.

Took the hill out back in 2003 as a memorial to remember -- the fallen Marines from first marine regiment.

Three of the original cost carriers were killed in the line of duty.

Just yesterday one of the original cost carriers Lance corporal robbers -- -- he was killed in action.

That was in 2004.

Water then my late husband was killed in 2005.

And then natured dogs and that was killed in 2007.

The cross is very important not only to my personal family but to my entire marine corps of Stanley.

At the first marine regiment and all over the world and suing you heard that this group -- this atheist group.

Wants to take it down what were your thoughts.

I was very sad I was sad to hear that.

This in this group that claims to be American and did not could not give this little.

Sign of respect to our service numbers.

Not only to the fallen service members but the service members that continue to serve our country so they're allowed to voice their opinion.

I feel like they.

Are not -- Really showing the respect that is needed and that we are service members and the at least -- today.

This is Mendoza your husband spoke volumes with -- sacrifice of his life if he could speak today.

What would -- be saying to us and to the rest of America about the effort to take this memorial down.

Well what he said.

Ray was -- -- that was a large man that had very few words.

-- and he would want people to look at this cross.

-- to say it's not about religion.

It's about sacrifice.

It's about remembering the fallen.

And going through the grieving process.

Today altogether as a country.

I personally feel that America has become very complacent it.

On the war -- terror and they've forgotten about our service members that are continue.

To fight for our freedom and continue for all Americans to be able to voice our personal opinion.

He would want the cross to stay.

Not for himself not for -- original seven.

But for the Marines that are still grieving the loss of their Brothers that are were killed in the on the war in terror.

We understand from the president of the military association of atheists and free thinkers who says this Christian cross needs to go to private Christian.

Installation and we need to stick to things that -- everyone equally and maintain neutrality.

Towards government we shall see what happens with their complaints against these crosses it can't -- but we really appreciate you coming in.

And sharing your personal story of loss and sacrifice with us thank you and your -- folks you.

You set -- five in -- in in life thank you.

Thank you.

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