#mrff

Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire

‘A Halloween celebration at a military installation was canceled by the unit’s commander because the event was “disrespectful to Christian personnel” and that it elevated “satan over Christ.”

In July 2019, a junior officer whose name and rank were withheld for privacy privileges were placed in charge of a Halloween event for their unit’s military personnel and their families. The officer reports having no issues at the time and during the planning phases and while working with other unit military personnel.

The Halloween event was then abruptly and unexpectedly canceled by the unit’s commander recently. The junior officer attempted to address the decision through the unit’s proper chain of supervision but reported frustration and fear that their careers might be impacted by challenging their unit commander’s decision.

In a letter to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) on October 27, 2019, the officer wrote: “WTF? I could not believe this happened? My spouse and many others were shocked. And by the way my spouse and I are both church going Christians as are most of the others helping with this Halloween event.” [...] 

MRFF representatives including Mikey Weinstein, founder and president of the organization, contacted the unit commander who subsequently rescinded his order the same day. 

In a thank you letter from the junior officer and 15 other clients expressing their gratitude to MRFF for their intervention, the officer writes, “Mr. Mikey Weinstein actually answered my first call himself and spent almost an hour on the phone with me & my spouse and some of the other folks in our (military unit’s name withheld). Mikey and MRFF representatives at the military installation found a (military branch name withheld) regulation and US Supreme Court case which we could use to fight back. The very next day our (military unit’s name withheld) Commander rescinded his prior canceling of the Halloween event and it was back on!” [...]

But unfortunately he also made a decree that no one, especially children, could wear costumes that were of a “satanic nature” or “celebrating satan” such as “devil, demon, witch, vampire, monster or skeleton” costumes. [...] The stipulations brought a second response call from MRFF to the unit commander. The costume restrictions were rescinded the following day. [...]

Several individuals commented about releasing the identity of the unit commander, especially as the decisions were viewed as an abuse of authority and violation of First Amendment protections and Uniform Code of Military Justice.