Rag,
Have you any EVIDENCE that all the other atheists among the veterans welcomed the religious element? If so please share it with us.

Certainly Rag.
Firstly the RBL is an organisation of and for service people and veterans.
They organise the Festival as they like it.

Secondly, service people and veterans have a voice. If they do not like something you hear about it.

Thirdly I have personally known very many people who have volunteered to participate, so I have personal knowledge.
This year my friend Sandy of 151 Rgt RLC featured in several close ups. She was at the end of a row, quite short and wearing Corporal's chevrons, but her medals including Iraq were not visible.