No Honor For Pagans on Memorial Day?

The ongoing struggle for Pagan veterans to receive a marker of their faith on a tombstone or plaque continues. Today is Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor those fallen in service, a day when Pagan soldiers like Sgt. Patrick Stewart who died serving in Afghanistan should be given fullest tribute. Instead his memorial plaque remains blank, because his wish to have an emblem of his Wiccan faith is tied up in government bureaucracy and politics.

“It’s been horrifying and disgusting. I didn’t think my country would torture me by not allowing me to put my husband to rest. He’s a soldier. He and John Flynn gave their live to save 30 men. He took an oath to uphold the constitution of the U.S. It’ll be a sad day to have a blank concrete spot on the Memorial wall” – Roberta Stewart, wife of Sgt. Patrick Stewart

If our government will allow this ongoing dishonor to one of our own, how can it claim to honor those who serve our country on this day? Instead of honor, it changes policy, and drags its heels so that Stewart and future Pagans and Heathens who have served our country will not be given full honors, their graves unmarked, our family of faith’s contribution to this country unremembered.

“The grave of the Korean War veteran who died in November remains unmarked. There continues to be a blank spot on the wall of the Veterans Memorial in Nevada where Sgt. Stewart’s plaque will go. And, there is another widow associated with Circle Sanctuary that wants to apply for a marker for her deceased veteran husband. Plus, there are others waiting on this approval, including Pentacles for at least three headstones in Arlington Cemetery. Please support this quest with prayers and by spreading the word about this need to others you know who may be interested and in a position to help.” – Selena Fox, Circle Sanctuary

Today on Memorial Day, Roberta Stewart is holding a Freedom for All Faiths Memorial Service, if you wish to send her some words of support you can e-mail her. Let us hope that soon this injustice is corrected, and our Pagan dead fully honored by the country they served.

Tags: Paganism