Petersburg Council #694 Receives Philip B. Onderdonk Jr. Religious Liberty Award

At the American Legion National Convention on August 28, the First Liberty Institute honored Petersburg Council #694 with the prestigious Philip B. Onderdonk Jr. Religious Liberty Award.

Since at least the 1960s, Council #694 has held a Mass at the Poplar National Cemetery on Memorial Day to honor fallen veterans. In 2023, the National Park Service denied the council’s request for a permit citing a new policy that prohibited religious ceremonies at national cemeteries. The council fought back and worked with First Liberty Institute to secure its right to hold the Mass. Just days before this past Memorial Day the National Park Service relented and approved the council’s permit to hold the Mass.

To see the entire story and the award representation, check out this YouTube video.

The Virginia State Council congratulates Petersburg Council #694 for this prestigious honor and thanks it for standing up for religious freedom.