“Nothing in the law that prohibits the military from taking part in the celebration of an international holiday that has been observed from the beginnings of this nation.”
When Fox News Radio host Todd Starnes invited a U.S. Army acoustic band to perform at his annual radio Christmas show, the initial reaction from the military branch was enthusiastic but noncommittal.
The Fox Radio Christmas show is “a two-hour extravaganza filmed in Memphis – featuring special guest performers, celebrities, a full orchestra and the Bellevue Baptist Church Singing Christmas Tree, wrote Starnes, the host of “Fox News & Commentary,” which is heard on hundreds of radio stations.
Knowing his audience honors the military, he wanted this year to feature the Six-String Soldiers of the U.S. Army Field Band, a four-member group that performs American, folk, bluegrass and Irish music.
The U.S. Army Field Band is dubbed “the musical ambassadors of the Army.”
When the Army delayed responding, Starnes thought it was merely to check the calendar, but it turned out the investigation centered on the contents of his Christmas show.
He received a rejection letter.
“After reviewing your request, we have opined that the show is a religious event, and therefore we cannot provide official support based on restrictions in AR-360-1,” the letter read. “We value our relationship with you as well as FOX News and hope you understand our declination is guided by law and Army regulations.”Starnes acknowledged his show proclaims Jesus as the reason for the season.
“In my defense, though, the reason my Christmas show is religious is because Christmas is in fact a religious holiday. I had no idea the Baby Jesus or Heralding Angels violated Army regulations,” he wrote.
Starnes’ friend Gov. Mike Huckabee, who was named ambassador to Israel on Friday, agreed, pointing out there is “nothing in the law that prohibits the military from taking part in the celebration of an international holiday that has been observed from the beginnings of this nation.”World Net Daily article continues
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