After it was announced that an organization demanded the fallen soldier silhouette at Knoxville’s Freedom Rock Memorial be removed, citizens decided to form their own response.

James Lane has helped organize a petition to keep the memorial as presented. He says, as a veteran, this issue is important to him and that the meaning of the silhouette has been taken out of context.

The silhouette is of a soldier kneeling by a white cross and Americans United for Separation of Church and State has sent a letter to the city demanding it be removed because it violates First Amendment Establishment Rights.

Lane says the cross represents a grave marker, similar to those marking the graves of soldiers in other places.

A rally has been scheduled for Sunday, August 30th, from noon until 2pm at the Freedom Rock in Knoxville.