Commission chastised for covering Jesus symbol on memorial

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The Boone County Commission is being urged to overturn a decision to cover a Christian symbol on a monument to Columbia-area soldiers who died in Operation Desert Storm.

More than 100 people attended a meeting Tuesday night to discuss the commission's decision last summer to cover the ichthus, often called the "Jesus fish," on a monument near the Boone County Courthouse. The commission also is considering moving the monument to private land and a proposed policy for future monuments on the Courthouse Plaza.

All but two of the 27 speakers told the commission the county should uncover the symbol and keep the monument where it is, the Columbia Daily Tribune reported. Many speakers also wanted the proposed policy on future memorials to delete any reference to prohibiting religious symbols.

Hugh Odneal criticized commissioners for covering the ichthus in response to a veiled threat of litigation.

"The threat of litigation is not a reason for a decision such as this," Odneal said. "That's what you're here for, to defend our rights against bullies. I think you all have done a grave disservice" to Boone Countians and to the two veterans listed on the memorial -- Patrick Connor and Steven Farnen.

Farnen's parents, Centralia residents Hugh and Gladys Farnen, were adamant the symbol should be uncovered and the monument should remain at the courthouse. Hugh Farnen presented the commission with a petition with around 545 signatures calling for the ichthus to be showing.

The only two speaking in favor of the commission's action were lawyers Dan Viets and Bart Tichenor, who also is an ordained Baptist minister.

"I think the better solution is to remove" the monument "to a non-government place," Tichenor said.

Viets represents the Missouri Civil Liberties Association and said none of the other veterans memorials on the courthouse grounds includes religious symbols.

Presiding Commissioner Dan Atwill said the commission would review the comments from Tuesday's hearing and "then decide what to do to move forward."

Information from: Columbia Daily Tribune, http://www.columbiatribune.com