“Atheist in Foxholes” Monument in Madison Honors Non-Religious Veterans

Now outside the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s headquarters is this 4,743-pound granite monument:

The monument, made of the same South Dakota granite that Mount Rushmore is carved from, is more than 7 feet high, reflects the long windows that are part of the original 1855 building and provides a focus for the new Rose Zerwick Memorial Garden and Courtyard adjoining Freethought Hall’s new entrance. A teak bench opposite the display provides a spot for reflection.

The monument text concludes with a pacific plea: “Presented with hope that in the future humankind may learn to avoid all war.”

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“FFRF deals with so many state/church entanglements regarding all branches of the military, where substantial incursions by aggressive evangelicals have been made. This monument not only honors nonreligious veterans, but serves as a reminder to our nation that — contrary to that tired, old, untrue cliché — there are indeed many ‘atheists in foxholes,’” said Annie Laurie Gayor, FFRF co-founder and co-president.

Coincidentally, the monument went up less than 24 hours after Oklahoma’s Ten Commandments monument outside the State Capitol came down.