FAIRFIELD, CA - A battle is brewing over a holiday display at Travis Air Force Base.
Critics said the scene shouldn't contain religious items, such as a nativity scene and a menorah.
According the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), a Travis airman filed a complaint with the civil rights group that represents 26,000 U.S. military personnel.
The foundation's president and founder, Michael Weinstein said his organization has also heard from other Travis service men and women who are too scared to talk to Air Force officials about their concerns.
MRFF wrote a letter to base commander stating the inclusion of a nativity and menorah makes the display religious.
"Both are clearly accessible on the main road," the letter read. "This conspicuous display of ritual objects is a clear endorsement of religion in violation of the...First Amendment."
"We're asking for the major religious symbols, the creche and the menorah, to be moved to the chapel right on base," Weinstein said.
Weinstein stated other items such as reindeer and Santa Claus can stay.
Travis squadrons have apparently erected displays around the base for 17 years.
Roger Davison, who was stationed at Travis for 25 years said he always enjoyed them.
"I never gave a thought to them as being religious. I always thought they were just a holiday thing," Roger Davison said. "People need to leave things be and let things stay the way they were....the way they've always been."
MRFF also has the support of the California Council of Churches which represents 4000 church congregations.
The council also wrote to Travis officials:
"We support MRFF's request that you move the creche...so that Travis AFB is not perceived to be promoting Christian religious messages as if they were national policy."
Glenda Davison said she thinks critics are going too far.
"Church and state started this country. People came over here because they didn't have freedom (in England) to believe in God or to believe the way they wanted to believe," she said.
Travis officials said the issue could impact other bases with similar displays.
The issue has been kicked up the chain of command and Air Force officials will decide if the displays in question will be moved or destroyed.
By Karen Massie, kmassie@news10.net
News10/KXTV