Hawaii Marine Base Keeps 'God Bless' Sign, For Now

A Marine base in Hawaii is keeping its "God Bless the Military" sign despite pressure from a secular group.

The sign at Marine Corps Base Hawaii on the Island of Oahu reads, "God bless the military, their families and the civilians who work with them."

It was put up after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Base commander Col. Sean C. Killeen said it stands as a secular sign of support without inhibiting other religions.

"We will always support all service members' rights to pursue and practice their own belief sets, whether religious or not," Killeen said.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that the commander responded to a complaint from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, led by Mikey Weinstein.

Killeen said no service members have complained. But Weinstein said he represents 72 service members who haven't officially complained for fear of retribution.

MRFF wants the sign relocated to chapel grounds or taken down. The group also recommended a possibility of adding other signs with messages like "Goddess Bless" and "There is no god to bless ... We have each other."

Weinstein said the MRFF is considering a lawsuit.