the Chief of the National Guard Bureau
praised American diversity and the role played by minorities in our
nation's military defense, but then suddenly chastised "Agnostics,
atheists and bigots."
Lt. Army Gen. H. Steven Blum made the remarks while speaking to the
NAACPs Annual Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Awards Dinner in
Washington, DC on July 18. The story, including quotes from Blum's
talk, was reported in an American Forces Press Service dispatch.
According to writer Rudi Williams:
"As for the military's diversity, Blum said, the battlefield might be
the greatest equalizer. 'Agnostics, atheists and bigots suddenly lose
all that when their life is on the line,' Blum said. 'Something that
they lived with their whole life believing gets thrown out the door, and
they grasp the comrade next them, and they don't care what color their
skin is, and they don't care where they pray...' "