The Boone County Commission voted last month in favor of relocating the Desert Storm Memorial, which features an ichthus --or Jesus fish symbol-- from the courthouse plaza to Columbia Cemetery. The commission also decided that a new memorial, without any such religious symbol, would be put in its place and funded by the county. The vote accepted the legal stance of attorney B Daniel Simon, who said that the presence of the ichthus at the courthouse plaza happens to violate the separation of church and state as per both federal and state constitutions.

The commission’s decision came roughly a week after it received a letter from the families of two soldiers, namely Steven Farnen and Patrick Connor, both of whom have been honored by the memorial. The letter stated that the families did not object to the ichthus at the courthouse plaza as long as it remained covered.

During a public comment, Farnen’s parents, Hugh and Gladys, said that the commission was not willing to consider their opinion.

“I hate the idea,” Farnen said. “But we were willing to compromise. It looks like y'all don't want to do anything that breaks from what y'all want.”

The public comment was made after the commission voted in favor of the relocation.

Presiding commissioner, Dan Atwill, explained why the replacement was essential and how the new memorial would be able to honor more soldiers who have served at conflicts just like Farnen and Connor had. At least one more soldier from Boone County is yet to be honored.

The commission covered up the engraved Jesus fish symbol with a stone plaque last year, after the county received a letter of complaint from Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Expectedly, the county’s decision to cover up the ichthus sparked public outcry.

Photo Credits: WIkimedia