Veterans Event Deemed “too religious” Causes Controversy
SUBMITTED BY A SADDLEBROOKE VETERAN| November 15th, 2025
Editor’s Note: SaddleBrooke has its own tyrannical elements-a tiny minority of people who think that any event held in HOA spaces must be free of any religious expression or overtones (unless it is their religion) of course. SBINSIDER will attempt to contact the HOA2 GM and Board members for their reaction to the unfortunate occurrence.
This was the third annual Celebration of our Veterans held at the Mountain View Ballroom on Veterans Day. It was attended by about 200 SaddleBrooke residents. The event included the Sonoran Singers, a duet called, Thanks for the Memories, American Legion Color Guard, 4 veterans that shared their experience of being a veteran, SaddleBrooke Quilters who presented their handmade Quilts of Valor and a former radio talk show host as the MC along with tables set by Senior Village and our World War II club. So amazing in attendance was a 101-year-old WW2 veteran, John Reitz, who had played his trumpet for the SaddleBrooke Winds and Strings and played taps for the two previous celebrations.
However, it was not an easy road for the Event Coordinators to bring this event to fruition this year. It seems that after last year’s production, a couple of attendees complained to leaders of HOA2 that the program was “too religious”. It was then that the HOA2 leadership decided not to sponsor this event or even attend. We believed this was a community event for the benefit of all of our SaddleBrooke residents to honor our country’s veterans. Because one or two people may have complained about the opening with a blessing or a song call the “Prayer” which Goggle AI says. Yes. “The Prayer” is appropriate for Veterans Day because its themes of seeking divine guidance, strength, and peace resonate with the sacrifices and struggles of military service. While the song is not explicitly about veterans, its message of hope and protection can be used to honor and support them, especially when paired with other tributes.
The event coordinators decided to move forward, and with the help of many donors and friends who wanted to honor veterans and was able to present a high caliber program. Here are a few of the comments that have been received: “Your event yesterday was just spectacular!” and, “Thank you for including us at this wonderful event”; also, “Thanks so much for all of your hard work, putting together such an awesome show.”
We hope our HOA2 will reconsider their decision in the future and support the majority of its residents and not the few complainers.
Strongly agree with editors comment!
“Too religious?” People who have sacrificed their lives for God and Country so that we may in freedom hold this kind of celebration in their honor? America was founded on the declaration that, “We are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Shouldn’t we show respect for those who have served us as we pledge allegiance to our “one nation under God” with hand over heart and a salute? It is disrespectful for our management team to support that kind of thinking, and snubbing the event demonstrates disrespect for the people they oversee. I’m sure many will remember that at election time.
If the naysayers believe that God should not be honored, they are certainly free to their opinion. Atheism may be their de factor religion, and they are free to express it by holding their own events. I will not disrespect them or their decision or try to manipulate the SaddleBrooke management.
Perhaps I suggest a better way? I would like to invite those who initiated this to debate the issue publicly. Does God exist or not? Is America a nation under God or not? Let’s have a friendly discussion in public rather than through complaint and political manipulation.
Stuart Orr
President
Socrates@SaddleBrooke
There are no atheists in foxholes, to wuote an old axiom.
Sound reasoning: We hope our HOA2 will reconsider their decision in the future and support the majority of its residents and not the few complainers. As a Combat veteran God will always be with me.