In a letter sent on December 9, 2014, Liberty Institute demanded that the United States Army revoke an unlawful violation of the religious rights of our client, Chaplain (Captain) Joseph “Joe” Lawhorn—a violation that could also jeopardize the lives of soldiers.

Chaplain Lawhorn’s commanding officer called him away from his family on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, at Camp Merrill, Georgia. Colonel David Fivecoat issued Lawhorn a formal “Letter of Concern” to be placed in his personnel file. This is a serious action with the potential to prematurely end the Chaplain’s stellar 14-year career, which includes earning the prestigious Army Ranger tab.

Lawhorn had recently given an extremely effective suicide prevention message that included Lawhorn’s own testimony of how his Christian faith had helped him counter depression.

Chaplain Lawhorn received a prolonged ovation—and a complaint from a single atheist soldier. The complaint led to an article in a prominent liberal online publication, which in turn led to the Thanksgiving Day interrogation by COL Fivecoat and the “Letter of Concern.”