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WHITEFISH- Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg played host to a Monday night informational meeting on the lawsuit surrounding the Jesus statue that sits atop Big Mountain in Whitefish.

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WHITEFISH- Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg played host to a Monday night informational meeting on the lawsuit surrounding the Jesus statue that sits atop Big Mountain in Whitefish.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service in January with the group claiming the religious statue should not be allowed on public land.

One of those who showed up Monday night at the Veteranns of Foreign Wars in Whitefish was 91-year-old Arnie Funk oh Helena, who made the trip to hear the status of the lawsuit himself.

He served in the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division, the same division for which the statue was erected.

"If they tear that down now I think that would tear me down. That's the way I feel about it. Although I've never seen it or anything. But I know about it now, and I would feel they would tear me down, the same as it's tearing that down," Funk said.

The lawsuit is expected to go to trial in U.S. District Court in Missoula in March of 2013.

WHITEFISH- A meeting scheduled by Congressman Denny Rehberg for Monday is aimed at informing the public on the latest developments about the statue of Jesus on Big Mountain.

Rehberg staffers say they hope to provide at least some detailed update on the legal situation surrounding the controversial statue.

Representative Randy Forbes, who is chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, Cece Heil, senior counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice along with several other local leaders who have fought to keep the statue where it stands will also be on hand for the gathering.

The meeting is set for Monday, July 16th at 3 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, which is located at 20 Baker Avenue in Whitefish.

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WHITEFISH- A new organization has joined in the fight to keep the statue of Jesus Christ where it sits on Forest Service land on Big Mountain.

The Knights of Columbus currently maintain the statue and reporter Dax VanFossen spoke with one of the men who is helping take care of the 60-year-old monument.

"These particular soldiers had been fighting in the Italian Alps, and as they were doing that they kept coming upon different kinds of statues like this," Dr. Ray Leopold with the Knights of Columbus explained about the statue.

Leopold works to maintain the statue of Jesus Christ on Big Mountain every year. That statue has been one of the hottest topics in recent news after a group called the Freedom from Religion Foundation voiced their opposition.

The Wisconsin-based group has since filed a lawsuit after the US Forest Service recently decided to renew a 10 year permit. Leopold says he's heard all the arguments against the statue.

"I've also heard comments, well what would you think if other groups went up there and put all these other types of statues next to the statue that's up there. Well if they do that, they're doing it in spite. The statue wasn't put there in spite, it was put there to memorialize the young men from this local area who fought in World War II. You know, the Greatest Generation," Leopold said.

That lawsuit opposing the Forest Service decision, now sits in the hands of the US District Court in Missoula. But recently on behalf of Leopold and other Knights of Columbus, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty is asking the U.S. District Court to vindicate the statue's existence. Leopold says let the statue stand where it does.

"You know some of those people from here were lost in that war and others came back here and they found a way to memorialize them. And it's been there with most people liking it there. When the forestry service asked for comments, I think they got almost a 100 thousand comments and I think well over 90% were very favorable."

A call to the Freedom From Religion Foundation was not immediately returned today. The decision whether or not to block the Forest Service's ruling now rests in Federal Court in Missoula.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation has filed a lawsuit over the recent U.S. Forest Service decision to renew a land use permit for the statue of Jesus Christ that sits on Big Mountain in Whitefish.

The case was filed late Tuesday and FFRF says in a news release issued Wednesday that the "continued presence of a six-foot-tall statue of Jesus Christ in the Flathead National Forest, on a 25-by-25-foot plot owned and administered by the United States Forest Service, violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States."

The filing of the suit had been expected after Flathead National Forest Supervisor Chip Weber announced that he was reauthorizing a special use permit to the Knights of Columbus Council No. 1328 of Kalispell at the end of January that's good for 10 years.

The statue, which was erected by the Knights of Columbus and Montana veterans of the 10th Mountain Division in the early 1950's, has sparked a controversy between people who believe the religious statue shouldn't be on public land and those wanting it to stay.

FFRF asked the USFS to reject the lease renewal request, saying in formal comments filed last year that the USFS made a mistake in 1953 when it granted a special use permit to the Knights of Columbus to erect the statue.

FFRF is asking the court "to enjoin the defendant from continuing to approve the shrine for federal property and ordering Weber to direct the Knights of Columbus to remove it," according to the news release.

Montana Congressman Dennis Rehberg responded to news of the FFRF suit by releasing a statement that read in part, "The Whitefish community and the Forest Service did not ask for this fight, but we're going to do whatever is necessary to win it. This historic statue honors of the service of the Tenth Mountain Division during World War II - men who fought and died to protect the very freedoms that give groups like the Freedom From Religion Foundation the right to exist."

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) announced in a press release Tuesday that their group will be suing the U.S. Forest Service over what they believe to be an unconstitutional presence of a statue of Jesus Christ on Whitefish Mountain Resort.

The FFRF states it has prepared a legal complaint and plans to file it in Montana federal court soon.

This reaction comes after Flathead National Forest Supervisor Chip Weber announced that he was reauthorizing a special use permit for the Knights of Columbus so that the statue can stay for the next decade.

"I understand the statue has been a long-standing object in the community since 1955, and I recognize that the statue is important to the community for its historical heritage based on its association with the early development of the ski area on Big Mountain."

Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president says that the FFRF will not let this slide.

"The U.S. Forest Service has unlawfully misused federal land owned by all of us to further Christianity in general, and Roman Catholicism in particular. This diminishes the civil and political standing of nonreligious and non-Christian Americans, and shows flagrant governmental preference for religion and Christianity."

KALISPELL- The Jesus Statue on Big Mountain won't be going anywhere anytime soon as Flathead National Forest Supervisor Chip Weber announced that he's reauthorizing a special use permit so the statue can stay where it is.

The Knights of Columbus Council No. 1328 of Kalispell were given a reauthorize permit that's good for 10 years, meaning the display of a statue of Jesus Christ on a 25' by 25' piece of land near the top of Chair Two at Whitefish Mountain Resort can stay.

Weber says he is reauthorizing the permit because "I understand the statue has been a long-standing object in the community since 1955, and I recognize that the statue is important to the community for its historical heritage based on its association with the early development of the ski area on Big Mountain."

The decision was reached using an environmental analysis process for Categorical Exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) according to a news release and the Flathead National Forest accepted public comment from October 19, 2011 until December 8, 2011.

USFS officials say that around 95,000 comments were received and reviewed "and those comments did not identify substantive concerns related to environmental conditions" according to a news release issued Tuesday. Click here to view the documents associated with the special use permit reauthorization.

The statue, which was erected by the Knights of Columbus and Montana veterans of the 10th Mountain Division, caused quite an uproar of controversy between people who believe the religious statue shouldn't be on public land and those wanting to let it stay.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation out of Wisconsin had asked the USFS to reject a request from the Knights of Columbus to renew the lease for the statue at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

The group said in formal comments filed last year that the USFS made a mistake in 1953 when it granted a special use permit to the Knights of Columbus to erect the statue.

Congressman Denny Rehberg says his legislation to protect the veterans memorial statue of Jesus in Whitefish will be subject of a legislative hearing next week.

The World War II memorial in question has been located on Big Mountain for over 60 years, placed there by the Knights of Columbus and Montana veterans of the 10th Mountain Division.

The statue sits on land leased from the Forest Service by the Knights of Columbus, but an atheist group wants it removed.

Rehberg's legislation allows a land exchange between Whitefish Mountain Resort and the Federal Government.

The hearing will take place in the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Friday, February 3rd in Washington D.C.

WHITEFISH- 95,000 public comments have been issued about the World War II memorial depicting Jesus on Big Mountain. The memorial has caused quite an uproar of controversy between people who believe the religious statue shouldn't be on public land and those wanting to let it stay.

The US Forest Service was forced to open up a public comment period to try to sift through the dilemma and the comment period ends Thursday.

Forest Service employees are busy reviewing all the comments and will then evaluate them for consideration to go toward keeping or removing the statue.

Forest Service Project Manager Derek Milner says the comments will help decide if the Forest Service should reauthorize a special use permit for the next 10 years to keep the statue on a 25 by 25 foot piece of land on Big Mountain.

"It's a very emotional issue and there are not a lot of nuances associated with it so we're seeing a lot of people very strongly in favor of keeping the statue and reauthorizing the special use permit and there's a large number of people also in favor of us not authorizing."

The US Forest Service Supervisor will make the decision of whether or not to keep the statue depicting Jesus in late January or early February.

Contact Katy Harris

WHITEFISH- A group opposed to a statue of Jesus on U.S. Forest Service land at a Montana ski resort says a proposed land swap doesn't fix the problem.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is asking the U.S. Forest Service to again reject a request from Catholic men's club to renew the lease for the statue at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

The group filed its formal comments Friday saying that the USFS made a mistake in 1953 when it granted a special use permit to the Knights of Columbus to erect the statue.

The USFS is taking new public comments until December 8th as it reconsiders an initial decision to evict the statue, which has been in place for half a century.

Comments, in PDF, MS Word, Word Perfect, or RTF formats, can be emailed to: comments-northern-flathead-tally-lake@fs.fed.us. Please include "Knights of Columbus Special Use Permit Reauthorization Project" in the subject line. Emailed comments will be confirmed by return email. Only the first email from each sender will receive an email confirmation.

Mailed and faxed comments should be addressed to Project Leader Derek Milner, Tally Lake Ranger District, 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, MT 59901; fax to (406) 758-5367. The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered comments are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

WHITEFISH- About 60 people lined the streets of Whitefish on Friday, carrying American flags and getting drivers to honk their horns.

Event coordinator Dee Brown wrote a letter to the local paper, encouraging others to share their support for veterans and to also show their support for the statue of Jesus Christ on Big Mountain that's in threat of being removed.

They started their rally at 11 Friday morning because of it was 11-11-11 and car after car honked their horn as they drove past.

"I'm just happy for the people who have honked as they passed by and the people who showed up in support of the veterans," Brown said.

The Jesus Statue on Big Mountain is a tribute to those who died fighting in the 10th Mountain Division in World War II.

WHITEFISH- Congressman Denny Rehberg paid a visit to Whitefish Thursday to address a crowd that gathered in a rally to save the Jesus Christ statue on Big Mountain.

Almost 200 people crowded the meeting room at the Whitefish V.F.W. as Whitefish Lieutenant Governor candidate Ryan Zinke, Congressman Denny Rehberg and others spoke in favor of leaving the statue alone.

Rehberg told the large, standing-room-only crowd, that a possible land swap for the statue was a last resort, and his first goal is to have the statue left alone.

One of the original members of the World War II 10th Mountain Division responsible for the statue also spoke at the event.

Contact Dax VanFossen

MISSOULA- Congressman Denny Rehberg will rally the Flathead on Thursday in favor of the World War II statue of Jesus Christ that sits on Big Mountain.

The group Freedom from Religion Foundation wants the statue moved off of federal lands, but as an alternative to save the landmark, Rehberg is proposing the U.S. Forest Service swap land with Whitefish Mountain Resort.

"We're only talking 25' by 25'. That's the land area. And, so, we're looking at the possibility of finding something similar that's close by that can be absorbed into the Flathead National Forest. It would need a boundary change. It has to be of equal value. They'll split the cost. Big Mountain has stepped in and said, 'We'll be willing to split half the cost with the Forest Service of swapping the land because there is a cost to that," Rehberg said in an interview with Montana's News Station.

Rehberg is working to build momentum to "Save the Jesus Statue" by holding a rally in Whitefish at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 276 in Whitefish.

Freedom of Religion Foundation members have been working to get the statue removed because it sits on federal grounds.

Contact Angela Marshall

MADISON, WI- The group that's fighting to have the Forest Service revoke a permit for a statue of Jesus Christ on Big Mountain say the site could be moved with "no harm".

The Freedom From Religion Foundation has been pressing the Forest Service to move the statue, noting that it's called a "shrine" on the permits, not a World War II monument as claimed by the Knights of Columbus, which has maintained the site since the early 1950s.

Foundation Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor says the group has been receiving large amounts of hate mail, some making physical threats. When asked what she would like to say to such angry, and often obscene comments, Gaylor says she'd just like people to realize the statue could simply be moved off federal land.

"I think I would point out that this Jesus shrine is made of cement. It comes from a mold. There are literally probably tens of thousands of other statues of this ilk available, and on private property all around the country. It can be moved or it can be re-created with no harm," says Gaylor. "And it will ensure that there is no preferential treatment of religion by government or the appearance that people who believe in Jesus are somehow better Americans than those of us who don't."

Gaylor says its "unfortunate" the U.S. Forest Service has opened a public comment period on the debate, believing it will just "enflame" emotions over the statue even more.

KALISPELL- Flathead National Forest officials are asking the public to weigh in on the controversy surrounding the statue of Jesus Christ that sits at the summit of Big Mountain

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act public comments on a request to reauthorize the special use permit for the Knights of Columbus' statue of Jesus Christ on Big Mountain near Whitefish are being requested.

The comment period will run through December 8, 2011 and serves as "an opportunity to make their concerns known prior to a decision being made," according to a news release from Melissa Wilson with the Flathead National Forest.

The statue is located on National Forest System lands near the top of Chair 2 within the Whitefish Mountain Resort permit boundary. The Flathead National Forest reports no additions or modifications to the permit are proposed and if reauthorized, the permit would be granted for 10 years.

The U.S. Forest Service has determined and the Montana State Historic Preservation Office has concurred that the statue is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, based on its historic association with the early development of the Big Mountain ski area.

To ensure comments are recorded correctly, comments should be written and sent by email, mail, or fax. Comments, in PDF, MS Word, Word Perfect, or RTF formats, can be emailed to: comments-northern-flathead-tally-lake@fs.fed.us. Please include "Knights of Columbus Special Use Permit Reauthorization Project" in the subject line. Emailed comments will be confirmed by return email. Only the first email from each sender will receive an email confirmation.

Mailed and faxed comments should be addressed to Project Leader Derek Milner, Tally Lake Ranger District, 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, MT 59901; fax to (406) 758-5367. The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered comments are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Comments previously submitted, including by phone, will also be considered. All comments become part of the public record, and the comments, as well as the submitter's name and address may be available for public review, in accordance with applicable law.

The flap over the statue came to light when the Freedom From Religion Foundation convinced the U.S. Forest Service to revoke permits for the nearly 60-year old statue. But the issue erupted into a firestorm when Congressman Denny Rehberg called on the agency to reconsider.

When published, the Decision Memo will be available for download and review from the forest website. Please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/flathead/projects after the close of the comment period for details on document availability.

BILLINGS- Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg is proposing a small land swap as a way of resolving the fight over a statue of Jesus Christ at the summit of Big Mountain.

The statue's future has been targeted over the past month after Rehberg called on the Forest Service to reconsider a decision to revoke the permit for the statue, which was erected as a monument to World War II veterans by the Knights of Columbus.

The agency revoked the permit after the Freedom From Religion Foundation objected to the statue being allowed on federal land.

Rehberg is now drafting legislation that would set up a land swap between the U.S. Forest Service and Whitefish Mountain Resort that would "move" the statue off federal land.

The legislation would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer 625-square feet from the U.S. Forest Service to the resort and the control of the Knights of Columbus, which Rehberg says is agreeable to the land swap.

Rehberg calls the trade of the 25' x 25' plot a "common sense solution" to the flap. He's asking people for comments on the idea on his website.

Contact Dennis Bragg

MADISON, WI- The group who wants a statue of Jesus removed from the summit of Big Mountain says it's being inundated with obscene, and even threatening hate mail because of its position.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation had convinced the Forest Service to revoke permits for the nearly 60-year old statue. But the issue erupted into a firestorm when Congressman Denny Rehberg called on the agency to reconsider.

That controversy has turned especially vicious online, both in posts to social media sites, and in the emails that have poured into the FFRF headquarters.

Foundation Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor says the hate mail is filled with both religious and physical threats.

"Well it's mostly obscene that can't be played on TV," observed Gaylor. "And I think, the one was that was most vicious said 'stay the hell out of Montana. If one of your members ever shows up here they will never leave. They will be planted with the statue.' I mean that's quite a threat. And how is that supposed to make free thinkers and people who believe in separation of church and state in Montana feel? You shouldn't feel unsafe because you support separation of church and state."

Other anonymous emails have threatened FFRF with damnation for their stance.

""your idiots!!!!!!!!! when the flames of hell are on you I hope you remember what got you there."

"Why do you think that a statue on a mountain in Montana has anything to do with establishing a religion . . . You are the vile underbelly of the earth."

"I'll try to pray for you and ask that The Lord will free you from satans' hands. Yes, he's REAL TOO!"

Many of the complaints accuse the group of meddling in Montana's affairs. But Gaylor says the statue is on federal, not state land.

"And this is a misunderstanding," says Gaylor. "This is federal property owned by everybody. Owned as much by someone in Wisconsin and New York as it is by someone in Montana. It's government property. It doesn't belong to individuals. It does not belong to a Roman Catholic men's club."

FFRF has asked U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell to overturn a local decision to take more public comment on revoking the permit. Gaylor says the group feels that's an "unfortunate" move that will only "inflame" people more.

"I think I would point out that this Jesus shrine is made of cement. It comes from a mold. There are literally probably tens of thousands of other statues of this ilk available, and on private property all around the country. It can be moved or it can be re-created with no harm," says Gaylor. "And it will ensure that there is no preferential treatment of religion by government or the appearance that people who believe in Jesus are somehow better Americans than those of us who don't."

Contact Dennis Bragg

WHITEFISH- Congressman Denny Rehberg wants to rally the Flathead in favor a statue of Jesus Christ on Whitefish's Big Mountain.

The statue has become the subject of controversy after Montana members from the "Freedom From Religion Foundation" based out of Madison, Wisconsin objected to the statue sitting on U.S. Forest Service land.

The USFS responded by saying they did not renew a special use permit for the parcel of land where the statue sits.

The World WarII memorial has been there for nearly 60 years and now may be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The USFS agreed to delay a final decision on extending the permit until it took public comment.

The rally is set for Thursday, November 10th at 1 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 276 in Whitefish.

WHITEFISH- Congressman Denny Rehberg is adding his voice to the discussion over the statue of Jesus Christ in Whitefish's Big Mountain Resort.

Rehberg created a webpage in support of the statue, saying it's an "irreplaceable part of our state's history."

The website is asking for public comment concerning the denial of the statues lease extension. Rehberg said the memorial, built by World War II veterans, symbolizes hope and faith. He believes it would be an insult to remove it.

"It really doesn't make any sense. This is a statue that wants to bring attention to the freedoms that have been given to us by veterans and we ought to be appauled that the Forest Service is listening to a very select group of people that want freedom from religion in Wisconsin who are making threats," he said.

An athiest group based out of Madison, Wisconsin pushed the issue. But, the U.S. Forest Service says they already decided not to renew a permit for the memorial in August.

CLICK HERE to visit Rehberg's website

KAILSPELL- A Kalispell man is using social media to save the Jesus statue that sits atop Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Kyle Allred designed a Facebook page around the issue and says he believes the issue is much more serious than just losing the statue.

He's hoping the "Save Big Mountain Jesus Statue" page will work as a virtual home base for educating, creating awareness, and organizing others about this controversial issue.

"People need to take an active role, and when there's community forums or town halls and the community or forest service is going to take comment, then we need to actually show up and be active. Because if we don't act, we're going to be acted upon--and probably in a way that we don't like," page co-creator Zachary Pitts commented.

An atheist group based out of Madison, Wisconsin pushed the issue after one of their members, who lives in the Flathead Valley, complained about the statue.

The U.S. Forest Service announced they had already decided not to renew a permit for the memorial, that was built by World War II veterans, back in August.

But since then, the Whitefish Knights of Columbus filed an appeal and last week Congressman Denny Rehberg urged the National Forest Service to change their minds.

The U.S. Forest Service is planning to gather public input on the issue.

Contact Laura Wilson

KALISPELL- Emotions are running high in the Flathead Valley, after word spread that the US Forest Service would possibly force the removal of a statue of Jesus Christ on Big Mountain.

An group based out of Madison, Wisconsin pushed the issue
after one of their members who lives in the Flathead Valley complained about the statue.

The Forest Service has since softened their stance and is now suggesting a public comment period for the statue.

Monday, we posed our own public comment session in Kalispell.

"First of all I don't think they know what they're getting themselves into with the bull headed Flathead Valley, so I think they're in trouble."

"In all honesty, I understand where they are coming from, but they don't live here, and I don't think it's any of their business."

"They need to leave that thing alone, it's a national monument, It should stay where it's safe, because people like me go up there, look at it and it's beautiful, who does the Forest Service think they are, taking that down."

"We believe the statue is alright there, should be there, people love it, people use it, I don't think anyone from another state, should be able to dictate how we live in our state."

"My dad passed away last year, he was a groomer on Big Mountain for close to 30 years, and when I went with him grooming, when I was a small child, that was our favorite, favorite spot, we'd eat lunch, and after I stopped going grooming with him when I got older, he still sat up there, during his lunch break and he fed the deer and that was our favorite spot, and I will sit up there until I am old and gray."

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FRFF) based out of Wisconsin is taking credit for "persuading" the U.S. Forest Service to order the removal of a statue of Christ from the summit of Big Mountain, saying the idea that it "memorializes" World War 2 veterans is a "sham."

The Forest Service revoked the permit for the statue, which was erected in 1953 several weeks ago. But that decision, and a call from Congressman Denny Rehberg for the agency to reconsider revoking the permit, has set off a firestorm.

Initially, the Forest Service told Montana's News Station no group had influenced the ruling, that the agency was merely reacting to current policy that prevents religious displays on federal lands.

But now the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation is taking full credit, and making sharp comments about the monument.

"The Knights of Columbus and its backers claim the Jesus statue memorializes World War II veterans-specifically Catholic members at Kalispell's St. Matthew's parish. This is a sham designation that insults and excludes the many 'atheists in foxholes' and non-Christian veterans who defended our country," says Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF Co-President.

She maintains the group is "very wealthy with ample land where it can place statues privately", saying "just because a violation because a violation is long-lasting does not make it "historic" or right, as defenders claim".

Gaylor goes on to say the mountain was "Jesus free for all but a few years of its natural history, saying the small statue is "hardly a Michelangelo."

The Knights of Columbus has formally appealed the Forest Service ruling.

WHITEFISH- The U.S. Forest Service has provided some additional information about its recent denial of a permit extension for a Jesus statue near Whitefish.

The statue sits atop one of the ski runs at Big Mountain at the Whitefish Mountain Resort and has drawn criticism from a Wisconsin-based group.

The U.S. Forest Service recently denied a permit extension for the memorial which was built by WWII veterans.

USFS officials told us on Wednesday that while the group did complain about the statue, that complaint played no role in the decision, as existing law that says that religious figures and/or statues can not be on federal lands.

U.S. Representative Denny Rehberg (R-MT) urged the Forest Service to change their minds in a letter earlier this week.

The statue of Jesus was erected by veterans in 1953 to remember the people who served in the war effort, especially those who fought in the Mountain Division of the military.

We will update you as we learn more.

Here is the full text of Rehberg's letter to U.S. Forest Service Officials:

Dear Mr. Tidwell and Ms. Weldon:

I am writing in regards to the Forest Service's recent decision to deny a continuing land use permit for the WWII Memorial statue in the Flathead National Forest near Kalispell, MT.

In 1953, WWII veterans in a partnership with the local Knights of Columbus, were granted a permanent special use permit for placement of a statue on Big Mountain, where it remains today. However, I recently became aware that not only has your agency denied renewal of the memorial, it is forcing the Knights of Columbus to remove it.

The history of this statue is just as inspiring as the statue itself. During WWII, many American soldiers found inspiration from religions icons, including similar statues of Jesus Christ, in the war ravaged towns and villages across Europe. When these brave young men returned home they wanted something to remind themselves and all Americans what kept them fighting during a time of terrible human loss and suffering.

This statue has been a long-standing piece of history in this area for almost 60 years. Removal of this symbol of hope and faith is an insult to the sacrifices they so willingly gave our great country. I urge you to approve a continuing land use permit as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your consideration of this request, and please don't hesitate to contact my office if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Denny Rehberg

Contact Dax VanFossen

WHITEFISH- The fate of a popular statue of Jesus near Whitefish is unclear. The statue sits atop one of the ski runs at Big Mountain at the Whitefish Mountain Resort and has drawn criticism from a Wisconsin-based group.

The U.S. Forest Service recently denied a permit extension for the memorial, which was built by WWII veterans.

USFS officials told us Wednesday that while the group did complain about the statue, that complaint paid no role in the decision as existing law that says that religious figures and/or statues can not be on federal lands.

In a press release issued on Monday, U.S. Representative Denny Rehberg (R-MT) urged the Forest Service to change their minds.

The statue of Jesus was erected by veterans to remember the people who served in the war effort, especially those who fought in the Mountain Division of the military.

The statue has stood atop Big Mountain since 1953.

Here is the full text of Rehberg's letter to U.S. Forest Service Officials:

Dear Mr. Tidwell and Ms. Weldon:

I am writing in regards to the Forest Service's recent decision to deny a continuing land use permit for the WWII Memorial statue in the Flathead National Forest near Kalispell, MT.

In 1953, WWII veterans in a partnership with the local Knights of Columbus, were granted a permanent special use permit for placement of a statue on Big Mountain, where it remains today. However, I recently became aware that not only has your agency denied renewal of the memorial, it is forcing the Knights of Columbus to remove it.

The history of this statue is just as inspiring as the statue itself. During WWII, many American soldiers found inspiration from religions icons, including similar statues of Jesus Christ, in the war ravaged towns and villages across Europe. When these brave young men returned home they wanted something to remind themselves and all Americans what kept them fighting during a time of terrible human loss and suffering.

This statue has been a long-standing piece of history in this area for almost 60 years. Removal of this symbol of hope and faith is an insult to the sacrifices they so willingly gave our great country. I urge you to approve a continuing land use permit as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your consideration of this request, and please don't hesitate to contact my office if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Denny Rehberg