Fort Gordon: Soldiers Not Forced to Aid Churches

Fort Gordon: Soldiers Not Forced to Aid Churches
Jul 19, 2012
The Augusta Chronicle, Ga.

Fort Gordon officials said Wednesday they do not compel soldiers to do charity work for churches.

The question was raised when a national organization, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, complained about soldiers assisting Catholic Social Services.

The group, which has also raised questions about the Augusta Mayor's Office and church prayer breakfasts, released a statement this week saying it had pressured the fort to stop the practice.

"The Freedom From Religion Foundation has stopped a violation in which soldiers were being forced to mow Catholic Charities' lawn," the Tuesday press release stated.

"FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel drafted and sent a letter on July 5 on behalf of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and also signed by American Atheists, objecting to using U.S. soldiers to support Catholic Social Services of Augusta. The Regimental Noncommissioned Officer Academy's Advanced Leader Course (ALC) at Fort Gordon, Ga., ordered soldiers to 'provide area beautification support to the Catholic Social Services.'
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