Army probes soldiers skipping Christian concert

[August 21, 2010]  RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- The Army is investigating a claim that dozens of soldiers who refused to attend a Christian band's concert at a Virginia military base were banished to their barracks and told to clean them up.

A Fort Eustis spokesman confirmed the probe Friday to The Associated Press.

Pvt. Anthony Smith told AP that he was among those who objected to attending the May concert by BarlowGirl. Smith says the soldiers were pressured into going to the show and when they didn't, they were ordered to return to their barracks.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation says several soldiers complained to the watchdog group.

[Associated Press; By STEVE SZKOTAK]

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