CBS Apologizes to Veterans Following 'Anti-American' Episode of 'The Amazing Race

CBS has issued an apology over an episode of its series "The Amazing Race" that was decried by some for being "anti-American." During last week's show, a number of images and occurrences led to outrage among critics. In addition to visiting a "B-52 Memorial" in Hanoi, Vietnam, contestants were seen watching children sing about socialism while standing in front of a picture of communist leader Ho Chi Minh.

The show brought contestants to the memorial -- the spot where an American B-52 was shot down during the Vietnam War -- but the crew members killed were not mentioned, nor were their families. Here's how Yahoo! describes this portion of the program:

In the episode, contestants go to a B-52 Memorial, which is the wreckage of an American bomber plane shot down during the Vietnam War, to find the next clue in their televised round-the-world journey.

The twisted metal of the downed plane is treated as any other prop, with a bright 'Amazing Race' 'Double-U-Turn' signed planted in front of it, signifying to contestants the next phase of their scavenger hunt.

And as for the latter point of contention, Fox News' Todd Starnes reports that the children sang, "Vietnam Communist Party is glorious…Socialism is growing more beautiful with time. Follow the party’s step. Be loyal. Be pure…"

Photo Credit: CBS/Facebook

One week after the show aired, CBS apologized for offending veterans and their families, reaffirming the netwok's support for these individuals. The appeal was made at the beginning of last night's show and it was also posted on Facebook.

"Parts of last Sunday's episode, filmed in Vietnam, were insensitive to a group that is very important to us -- our nation's veterans," read a statement shown at the beginning of Sunday night’s episode. "We want to apologize to veterans -- particularly those who served in Vietnam -- as well as to their families and any viewers who were offended by the broadcast. All of us here have the most profound respect for the men and women who fight for our country."

Starnes quoted sources and former soldiers who were overtly offended by the episode. A Legionnaire from Iowa named Ken Danilson was among them. He explained how offensive he personally found the song that was shown in the episode.

"As a Marine Corps veteran having served two tours in Vietnam, it is extremely offensive to me and to our country to glorify a communist regime that without mercy killed and tortured our Vietnam allies and now is portrayed as something that is acceptable in our society," he said in a statement issued through the American Legion.

In the end, though, CBS's apology was accepted. Read Starnes' report for more about this story.

(H/T: Fox News' Todd Starnes)

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