The Supreme Court has issued its ruling and the Bladensburg Peace Cross will remain in place. This victory preserves the historical integrity of our memorial for future generations to honor. Thank you for staying committed to this effort until the final decision was reached.
January 13, 2018
Final supporters
***NOTE: Any donations requested on this petition are NOT funding this petition or movement to save this Memorial. Donations are for this site and funds to run the site. Donations are optional...not required.***
DONT let The American Humanist Association take this HISTORICAL piece of history away! - The Memorial Peace Cross is an area landmark that has become synonymous with the historic town of Bladensburg.
A District Court judge in 2015 declined to order the cross removed from public land, saying it is a historically significant secular war memorial and that the government agency had a nonreligious reason for maintaining it.
On October 18, 2017 A federal appeals court declared it unconstitutional. In a 2-1 ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit said the 40-foot-tall memorial maintained with thousands of dollars in public funds “has the primary effect of endorsing religion and excessively entangles the government in religion.”
We cannot let this happen. We must take this to the Supreme Court and have our voices heard by producing this petition to save our beloved War Memorial.
History of the War Memorial "The Peace Cross"
The Snyder-Farmer Post of the American Legion of Hyattsville erected the forty foot cross of cement and marble to recall the forty-nine men of Prince George’s County who died in World War I. The first enlisted man from Prince George’s to die in the line of duty (WWI) was George B. Farmer.
The cross was dedicated on July 13, 1925, by the American Legion. A bronze tablet at the base of the monument contains the unforgettable words of Woodrow Wilson: The right is more precious than the peace; we shall fight for the things we have always carried nearest our hearts; to such a task we dedicate ourselves. At the base of the monument are the words, Valor, Endurance, Courage, Devotion. At its heart, the cross bears a great gold star. The cross towers above the convergence of Baltimore Avenue, Bladensburg Road and Annapolis Rd. The Memorial is also situated near the WWII, Korean and Vietnam Memorials for those who gave the supreme sacrifice in Prince George’s County for our Country.
For 90 years The memorial has endured allot in it’s time including major floods from the nearby river. Due to it’s location at a major roadway junction, pollution and weather have shown some signs of wear to the Memorial. Fortunately, the memorial is maintained regularly and has had some major restoration and repair. The site is a major landmark in the Maryland, District of Columbia, Bladensburg basin. But most important of all, is the fact it’s memorializes those who made the supreme sacrifice in the Big One, (Over Thier) World War I. Let us not forget!
Sitting at the intersection of Bladensburg Road, Baltimore Avenue and the National Defense Highway just over the border into Prince George’s County is the Bladensburg Peace Cross, a forty-foot stone cross, notes those from Prince George’s county who fought and died in World War I. Inscribed with their names, and the quote from Woodrow Wilson, “The right is more precious than peace. We shall fight for the things we have always carried nearest our hearts. To such a task we dedicate our lives,” the monument is a towering landmark just outside the District.
The Bladensburg Peace Cross was erected by the citizens of Prince George’s County in 1922, and was dedicated on July 13th, 1923. Ceremonies were held at the cross, and with the assistance fo the American Legion of Bladensburg, Snyder-Farmer post, which included survivors of The Great War, Fourth Maryland regiment. Representative Stephen W. Gambrill of Maryland spoke, lauding the efforts and honoring the sacrifice of those who died, saying: “You men of Prince Georges county fought for the sacred right of all to live in peace and
security.”
Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
November 3, 2017
November 2, 2017
The momentum surrounding the Bladensburg Peace Cross continues to build as we approach 2,500 signatures. Please contact your local network to ensure we reach this threshold while the issue remains at the forefront of public discussion.
Reached 1,000 supporters
October 20, 2017
Reached 100 supporters
October 19, 2017
October 17, 2017
The momentum surrounding the preservation of the Peace Cross continues to build as we approach our first major milestone of one hundred signatures. Your participation strengthens the argument that this landmark remains a vital piece of our community heritage. Please encourage your acquaintances to review our mission and add their support to this effort.
374 Comments
As a Veteran, I think it is reprehensible if we dishonor our fellow Veterans, and the freedoms they fought for, by retroactively taking freedoms away from those Veterans by removing monuments attesting to their valour and convictions.
This monument is a symbol of service members who lost their lives. In no way, shape or form does this "ENDORSE" religion. Show me one person who has been converted to religion because of this symbol in the last 90 years.
As a retired US Army Non-Commissioned Officer with 20 plus years of service, I think it is time to stop this crazy P.C. nonsense and stop removing monuments that take the shape of a cross. I am a graduate of Bladensburg Senior High School and the Peace Cross is a part of our history.
I grew up in Colmar Manor MD. My father was a past comander of the American Legion Post #131. The Peace Cross has always been a war memorable. I have witness many veterans ceremonies there but have never seen a religious ceremony there.
The Peace Cross Memorial was erected in Bladensburg when I was 4 years old and has been a Landmark since then. To have it taken down for any reason is a slap in the face for all of the World War I Veterans and their descendants. Leave the Peace Cross alone!
The Supreme Court has already ruled on similar cases that this isn't a violation of the constitution.
Peace Cross is part of us, it is History. It is part of the Landscape of the Washington Area! Please Save Peace Cross!
Share Petition
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The Supreme Court has issued its ruling and the Bladensburg Peace Cross will remain in place. This victory preserves the historical integrity of our memorial for future generations to honor. Thank you for staying committed to this effort until the final decision was reached.
January 13, 2018
Final supporters
***NOTE: Any donations requested on this petition are NOT funding this petition or movement to save this Memorial. Donations are for this site and funds to run the site. Donations are optional...not required.***
DONT let The American Humanist Association take this HISTORICAL piece of history away! - The Memorial Peace Cross is an area landmark that has become synonymous with the historic town of Bladensburg.
A District Court judge in 2015 declined to order the cross removed from public land, saying it is a historically significant secular war memorial and that the government agency had a nonreligious reason for maintaining it.
On October 18, 2017 A federal appeals court declared it unconstitutional. In a 2-1 ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit said the 40-foot-tall memorial maintained with thousands of dollars in public funds “has the primary effect of endorsing religion and excessively entangles the government in religion.”
We cannot let this happen. We must take this to the Supreme Court and have our voices heard by producing this petition to save our beloved War Memorial.
History of the War Memorial "The Peace Cross"
The Snyder-Farmer Post of the American Legion of Hyattsville erected the forty foot cross of cement and marble to recall the forty-nine men of Prince George’s County who died in World War I. The first enlisted man from Prince George’s to die in the line of duty (WWI) was George B. Farmer.
The cross was dedicated on July 13, 1925, by the American Legion. A bronze tablet at the base of the monument contains the unforgettable words of Woodrow Wilson: The right is more precious than the peace; we shall fight for the things we have always carried nearest our hearts; to such a task we dedicate ourselves. At the base of the monument are the words, Valor, Endurance, Courage, Devotion. At its heart, the cross bears a great gold star. The cross towers above the convergence of Baltimore Avenue, Bladensburg Road and Annapolis Rd. The Memorial is also situated near the WWII, Korean and Vietnam Memorials for those who gave the supreme sacrifice in Prince George’s County for our Country.
For 90 years The memorial has endured allot in it’s time including major floods from the nearby river. Due to it’s location at a major roadway junction, pollution and weather have shown some signs of wear to the Memorial. Fortunately, the memorial is maintained regularly and has had some major restoration and repair. The site is a major landmark in the Maryland, District of Columbia, Bladensburg basin. But most important of all, is the fact it’s memorializes those who made the supreme sacrifice in the Big One, (Over Thier) World War I. Let us not forget!
Sitting at the intersection of Bladensburg Road, Baltimore Avenue and the National Defense Highway just over the border into Prince George’s County is the Bladensburg Peace Cross, a forty-foot stone cross, notes those from Prince George’s county who fought and died in World War I. Inscribed with their names, and the quote from Woodrow Wilson, “The right is more precious than peace. We shall fight for the things we have always carried nearest our hearts. To such a task we dedicate our lives,” the monument is a towering landmark just outside the District.
The Bladensburg Peace Cross was erected by the citizens of Prince George’s County in 1922, and was dedicated on July 13th, 1923. Ceremonies were held at the cross, and with the assistance fo the American Legion of Bladensburg, Snyder-Farmer post, which included survivors of The Great War, Fourth Maryland regiment. Representative Stephen W. Gambrill of Maryland spoke, lauding the efforts and honoring the sacrifice of those who died, saying: “You men of Prince Georges county fought for the sacred right of all to live in peace and
security.”
Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
November 3, 2017
November 2, 2017
The momentum surrounding the Bladensburg Peace Cross continues to build as we approach 2,500 signatures. Please contact your local network to ensure we reach this threshold while the issue remains at the forefront of public discussion.
Reached 1,000 supporters
October 20, 2017
Reached 100 supporters
October 19, 2017
October 17, 2017
The momentum surrounding the preservation of the Peace Cross continues to build as we approach our first major milestone of one hundred signatures. Your participation strengthens the argument that this landmark remains a vital piece of our community heritage. Please encourage your acquaintances to review our mission and add their support to this effort.
374 Comments
Please leave Peace Cross standing where it is. It is about love, peace, bravery, and should be considered an historical momument. I am 63 and remember it from when I was a little girl living in Hyattsville. It was and still sjould be a landmark Thank you!
As a Veteran, I think it is reprehensible if we dishonor our fellow Veterans, and the freedoms they fought for, by retroactively taking freedoms away from those Veterans by removing monuments attesting to their valour and convictions.
This monument is a symbol of service members who lost their lives. In no way, shape or form does this "ENDORSE" religion. Show me one person who has been converted to religion because of this symbol in the last 90 years.
As a retired US Army Non-Commissioned Officer with 20 plus years of service, I think it is time to stop this crazy P.C. nonsense and stop removing monuments that take the shape of a cross. I am a graduate of Bladensburg Senior High School and the Peace Cross is a part of our history.
I grew up in Colmar Manor MD. My father was a past comander of the American Legion Post #131. The Peace Cross has always been a war memorable. I have witness many veterans ceremonies there but have never seen a religious ceremony there.
The Peace Cross Memorial was erected in Bladensburg when I was 4 years old and has been a Landmark since then. To have it taken down for any reason is a slap in the face for all of the World War I Veterans and their descendants. Leave the Peace Cross alone!
The Supreme Court has already ruled on similar cases that this isn't a violation of the constitution.
Peace Cross is part of us, it is History. It is part of the Landscape of the Washington Area! Please Save Peace Cross!
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Please leave Peace Cross standing where it is. It is about love, peace, bravery, and should be considered an historical momument. I am 63 and remember it from when I was a little girl living in Hyattsville. It was and still sjould be a landmark Thank you!