The Chaplain Alliance for Religious Freedom has joined with conservative group Restore Military Religious Freedom coalition and put up a Billboard in Colorado near the United States Air Force Academy with hopes that it will inspire Air Force cadets to say, "So help me God" when taking their annual Honor Oath.

On a background of Mount Rushmore, which depicts four of America's greatest presidents, the billboard ad reads, "Are you free to say 'So help me God'? They did."

The ad is in response to recent attempts to restrict religious freedom at the Air Force Academy. The group felt it was imperative because last fall cadets received new handbooks that had removed the phrase "So help me God" from the cadet oath of office. After members of Congress intervened, the superintendent of the academy said that the absence of the phrase was a printing error and that cadets have the option to say the words if they want too. There was also a reported incident in which a Bible verse was removed from a cadet leader's whiteboard.

"The message is clear, our Founding Fathers said 'So help me God' on taking their oath of office; Air Force cadets have that same freedom," said Chaplain (COL) Ron Crews, USAR Retired, executive director of the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty. "Our billboard is a reminder that cadets can say the phrase, which is deeply rooted in American tradition."

Vice President Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin commented on the billboard saying:

"Christian cadets at the Air Force Academy have the constitutional right to express their individual faith. If such faith scares faculty at the Academy, then it is unlikely they will be very effective when confronted by a committed enemy who is willing to die for his or her beliefs. The Academy should be training warriors who can deal with difficult situations and determined enemies."

"We at the Restore Military Religious Freedom Coalition are committed to defending the religious freedoms of all cadets, regardless of their faith. This is the least we can do for young men and women who are prepared to die to protect our freedoms. We will not stand by while Air Force officials attack religious expression. We will continue to do everything we can to protect the rights of those serving in the Air Force and in all the uniformed services," he concluded.

The billboard ad, referencing the phrase used historically, will remain posted for two months.

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