A Memorial Day display featuring crosses to honor fallen soldiers was removed from public property in Georgia after someone questioned whether the soldiers were all Christian.
(FOX)- The 79 white, handmade crosses posted on public property along state Highway 92 in Hiram, Ga., were meant to represent the 79 Paulding County residents who died in America’s wars, according to town officials.
But the crosses were abruptly taken down last Friday after someone called Hiram City Hall questioning whether the cross is an appropriate symbol for the memorial.
Hiram Mayor Teresa Philyaw said the cross display, which she approved and planned, was never intended to be religious.
“It was never about religion — it was just to honor them,” Philyaw told FoxNews.com on Tuesday. “I was devastated when it had to come down.”
Hours after the crosses were posted, an unnamed resident called the office of city manager Barry Atkinson and asked whether all 79 military personnel were Christians.
Philyaw said they had died in wars from World War I to Iraq and Afghanistan. She said to her knowledge, none of their families had complained.
The cross memorial has since ignited fierce debate on social media — with many people saying its removal is political correctness run amok, while others argued all faiths should be represented.
“The 79 veterans from Paulding County who sacrificed their lives for our nation are being taken down for the Memorial Day holiday because some find it offensive,” wrote one Facebook user. “Tell that to the families of these brave veterans who died for us so we can have freedom and shame on you, mayor of Hiram, Georgia, for caving in to their demands.”