Wiccan War Widow Holds Own Ceremony; Protests Official Memorial Service

Madison.com via AP Wire ^ | May 30, 2006 | Tom Gardener

[Diana in Wisconsin]

FERNLEY, NV - A war widow who wants the government to put a Wiccan religious symbol on her husband's memorial plaque held an alternative service Monday as a protest, hours before an official Memorial Day ceremony nearby.

"This is discrimination against our religion," Roberta Stewart said at the gathering of about 200 at a park east of Fernley for her late husband, Sgt. Patrick Stewart. "I ask you to help us remember that all freedoms are worth fighting for."

A few hours later and a few miles away in this pastoral community east of Reno, official Memorial Day ceremonies were conducted at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

The space under Stewart's name on a memorial plaque remains blank.

The Department of Veterans Affairs so far has refused to grant the Stewart family's request to have the Wiccan pentacle, a five-pointed star surrounded by a circle, placed on the government-issued plaque.

Stewart, 34, was killed in Afghanistan on Sept. 25 when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his helicopter. Four others also died. Stewart was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

Wiccans worship the Earth and believe they must give to the community. Some consider themselves "white" or good witches, pagans or neo-pagans.

"We are here today to honor American religious diversity of all faiths," the Rev. Selena Fox said at the alternative memorial service.

Fox, senior minister of a Wiccan group based in Barneveld, Wis., said Stewart died defending the country that is denying him the right to express his religious freedom.

Jo Schuda, a spokeswoman for the VA, said Friday she did not know when a decision would be made on the request.

Approximately 1,800 active-duty service members identify themselves as Wiccans, according to 2005 Defense Department statistics.

[PeteB570]

I'm glad you're so sure of all things in life.

He may have been one, he and she may have been married as such and he may have lived his life as one. And to me I really don't care what goes on the stone.

I just wonder what he had listed on his paperwork. The Army is a great big stone that takes a bunch of pushing sometimes to get moving when it comes to paperwork.

[DejaJude]

It's meant to represent rational thought as opposed to faith in a deity. Science is supposed to be the epitome of rational thought, and an atom is a good symbol of science.

Seems to me that "science" has been incorrect about many things. It's constantly changing. I don't think it's rational to build a house on shifting sand.

[MeanWestTexan]

Of course, an upside-down cross is the symbol of Peter, who opted to be crucified upside down.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

[stands2reason]

and that upside down was the sign of the goat.

Ahhh, you mean Leonard.

If the pic came in, it is an image of the goat demon Leonard.

If it didn't, here's the link.

Odd name for a demon. Even odder, there is a demon called Amy.

[stands2reason]

I'm glad you're so sure of all things in life.

It's not that; I just know how to read. See post #42

[stands2reason]

Well, don't tell the Satanists.

[pollyannaish]

It linked fine. I'll take your word for it. Thanks for the info.

[TheGunny]

So what....they put a little hooded robe symbol on your grave marker?

[MeanWestTexan]

Yes, it's like remembering to "not mention the War" to the Germans.

[PeteB570]

I had SF on my dog tags and that makes me.....?

[steveo]

HA!

[TheGunny]

I'd imagine that, barring a direct declaration from the deceased, the next of kin should have the right to make the determination

Nope! If there is no declaration, then there is no religious symbol (unless specified by the deceased).

[stands2reason]

I dunno, what?

[DejaJude]

I just wonder what he had listed on his paperwork. The Army is a great big stone that takes a bunch of pushing sometimes to get moving when it comes to paperwork.

The VA link that taxcontrol provided had a part about ordering the marker. It said that information was to be given by the next of kin. It looks like they would defer to them. Also, at the bottom of the list of symbols, it states that they must be approved. They will have to have the dreaded committees meet to approve a new one. Could take a long time.

[Solamente]

Every time I was in a hospital, I'd fill in either "Reformed Druid," or "Lukewarm Buddist," just for laughs.

[walford]

...Far less likely, somebody in the VA is an ignorant Chrisian bigot who doesn't want to have the "symbol of Satan" defiling American cemeteries. And somebody needs to be fired.

It's not as unlikely as you might think.

I was forced to marry outside of my faith because two Northern Virginia judges decided that it was their job to decide what is a proper religion and who should be considered clergy. *cough* First Amendment *cough* So the judge in Fairfax County suggests that he and our Priestess have a little talk. It turns out to be a formal hearing in which our religion is on trial. "Do you worship the moon?" "We worship all things that are created." [The moon is only a symbol for a particular aspect of Diety. Do you worship a cross?]

So we had to be legally married by a JoP. Eventually our recently passed Priestess [safe passage, dear Lady] won her right to perform legal weddings in a Norfolk court, but too late for us.

And I later saw one of these judges pictured giving a speech at the Fairfax County government center at a Christian conference as a senior member. Unlike the practitioners of a certain other faith that also comes from the Middle East, we're not trying to supplant anyone else's religion -- or even convert. Forbidding those of  us who died in our country's uniform to have our symbol displayed on a tombstone is a direct affront to that which our soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice.

[Joe 6-pack]

"Agnostics should get a big question mark. :)"

I suspect that by the time they need a grave marker, they are no longer agnostics.....

[eyespysomething]

He's earned the right to have the Wiccan symbol on his marker, for goodness sake. They may have to make one, but they need to decide the right way on this.

[eyespysomething]

I would rather have a Wiccian Marine in my foxhole than a Democrat Senator.

Amen!