Rehberg to attend rally for Jesus statue

Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg will attend a public rally in Whitefish on Nov. 10 in support of the World War II statue of Jesus on Big Mountain. Rehberg will be at the VFW Post 276 on Baker Avenue at 1 p.m.

The statue, which sits near the top of Chair 2, is on land leased from the Forest Service since 1953.

An August decision by the U.S. Forest Service put the statue in jeopardy for remaining in its current location. Then last month the Forest Service withdrew that decision to take public comment on the issue.

“The Veterans Jesus Memorial has united Democrats and Republicans, Christians, Jews and Atheists, even skiers and snowboarders in support of this important piece of the local culture,” said Rehberg.  “That’s because it stands for so much. It’s not just a statue of Jesus, but a memorial of appreciation for the veterans who fought to make this country free. It’s a meeting place in the middle of a day of skiing and a place for quiet contemplation overlooking the valley below. And on Thursday, it’s going to be a rallying point for the Whitefish community.”

Rehberg last week launched a website to help with public response to the pending Forest Service decision. The site is www.veteransjesus.com.

Members of the Knights of Columbus at Kalispell's St. Mathew's parish, some of whom were World War II veterans, installed the statue. The religious statues they came across in the mountains in Europe during the war inspired them and they wanted to create something similar at home.

The permit for the statue expired last year. The Knights of Columbus applied for renewal, but were denied after concerns that the statue violates the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution for promoting any religious doctrine.

Veterans Jesus rally details:

When: Thursday, Nov. 10 at 1 p.m.

Where: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 276, 20 Baker Ave., Whitefish.

Who: Rep. Denny Rehberg, members of the public, press