Freedom

Our country was founded, at least in part, on the principle of religious freedom. That's what we all learned in history class in first grade and on through senior year, right? Pilgrims came over here from England so they could be free to practice their religion, etc. etc. But sometimes it doesn't quite work out that way.

Take the Stewarts. Sgt. Patrick D. Stewart, shot down and killed over Afghanistan last September, was a Wiccan. His dog tags stated so; that is considered an "approved religion" for the Army's purposes in that form of identification. Sgt. Stewart was in the Nevada National Guard this time around, but had served in the Army during Desert Storm. Sgt Stewart was a good man and a fine soldier, posthumously awarded both a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. But his space on a Veteran's Memorial Wall in Nevada is blank, devoid of a grave marker. Why? Because although Wicca is an approved religion for his dog tags, there is no symbol approved by the VA to mark his grave.

There are 38 official symbols, many of which are Christian in theme. Also included are the Jewish Star of David, the Muslim crescent, the Buddhist wheel, the Mormon angel, and the nine-pointed star of Bahai. There is even a symbol for atheists. But for Wiccans, nothing. And his widow Roberta refuses to let the VA simply install a plaque with his name but no symbol. It would be too easy, she says, for them to simply move on afterward. Me, I see it as a giant slap in the face, that a hero killed in combat, whose religion was good enough for his dog tags and good enough that the military allows Wiccan services on its bases, is being shown such disrespect in his death.

For 9 years now, the Wiccan symbol of a pentacle has been "pending approval" for use as a grave symbol. In that time, 11 other symbols have been approved, but still the Wiccans wait. You may wonder why it's such a big deal... one soldier out of millions? No. Over 1800 Wiccans currently serve on active duty in the military - and that number comes from the Pentagon.

This isn't just a story pulled out of the papers, though if you Google "Patrick Stewart Wiccan" you will find many references. You see, my good friend and fellow troop supporter, Miss Ruth - Patrick was one of hers. They were friends. And Miss Ruth is still in touch with Patrick's widow, who asked her to add her voice to the issue. Miss Ruth and some of her friends, including myself, have made our voices heard. I'd like to ask you to do the same. It's not about whether or not you believe in Wicca. (And please spare me the protestations about Wicca being evil, witchcraft, devil worship, etc. Do your research before you jump to any conclusions, all right?) It's about whether or not you believe in freedom of religion, of the right to worship what you choose and how you choose, of respect for the dead and respect for the grieving. Sgt. Patrick Stewart gave his life defending the very freedom he is now being denied. Don't allow something this disgraceful to go on unprotested.

You can write to the Secretary of Veteran's Affairs by going to www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ and clicking on the "Federal Agencies" link to the far left. Select "Department of Veteran's Affairs" from the drop-down list. It will give you an e mail address, phone number, mailing address, and even a handy button you can click to send either an e mail or a printed letter. At this same site you can find the contact information for all of your elected officials, to contact them regarding any issue you feel is important. I'm asking... imploring... BEGGING you to take action on this. There is no better way to honor a fallen hero, and the country he died defending, than to defend the Constitutional right he is being denied in death.