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Flyover again denied for Idaho religious fest

NAMPA, Idaho — Military officials have again denied a flyover of the Treasure Valley God and Country Family Festival in southwest Idaho, organizers of the event say.

The Department of Defense cited a policy of not allowing military flyovers at events with a religious theme, the same policy it cited last year.

The 44th annual Christian-oriented event in Nampa has had military aircraft buzz overhead up until last year. This year’s event is planned for Wednesday at the Idaho Center.

“We’ve been denied the flyover again because of the same reasons as last year,” God and Country board president Carol Andrews said. “[But] we really don’t want a flyover to define our event because it’s just so much more than that.”

She said the group might have had the flyover if they removed religion.

“Just basically if we removed God and did not refer to ministry booths they would [consider] us,” Andrews said. “Well, that is vital to what we do. That’s what this event’s been all about.”

Department of Defense policy is clear on flyovers, Idaho Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Tim Marsano said.

“We cannot directly endorse or selectively benefit any religious sect, quasi religion or ideological movement,” Marsano said. “If we were to support them we would obviously be in conflict with our own regulations.”

Organizers say a World War II Curtiss P-40 Warhawk from the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa will do a flyover of the event at about 8 p.m.

“The Warhawk museum is taking over that part of it, and we are going to have a great time,” said Andrews.

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