Memorial Day crosses that honoured fallen soldiers in Hiram, Georgia were put back Wednesday by the city council after they were taken down following a complaint.
The 29 handmade crosses were put up on a public land along Highway 92 in Hiram to honour 79 residents of Paulding county in Georgia who died in wars waged by their country, Fox News and WAGA TV reported.
However, someone called the city hall to question if all the soldiers were Christian, prompting the city hall to remove them on Friday last week.
The removal sparked public outcry and during the city council meeting on Tuesday, it was decided that the crosses should be erected again.
Hiram Mayor Teresa Philyaw said the decision to put back the display "was never about religion—it was just to honour them."
"We wanted to make sure that they weren't forgotten. We also wanted their families to know that our hearts still bleed for them. The cross is a 'rest in peace' symbol to me," she explained.
The city removed the crosses for fear of a lawsuit at a time when atheists are targeting religious displays in government properties and buildings.
Earlier, a phone caller asked the office of city manager Barry Atkinson about the religious affiliations of the 79 military servicemen.
After the crosses were removed, people took to social media to complain that the city was being politically correct in its decision while others said all faiths should be represented.
During Tuesday's city council meeting, Tommy Dingler, whose son Joshua was killled in Iraq, held up a photo of his son and said, "A cross has been used for fallen soldiers from the time of the Red Coats, Patriots, Yankees, Rebels—they all used it."
City council members voted and agreed to restore the crosses.
"We just really would love to think this person will understand that it was never a religious thing—it was just to honour these people who died for him and for all of us," Mayor Philyaw said.
