A new development in the ongoing Pentacle grave marker controversy. Nevada has decided it will not wait for US Department of Veterans Affairs approval for the religious symbol. Instead, state veterans officials will take the initiative to engrave the Pentacle for Sgt. Patrick D. Stewart, a Wiccan soldier who was killed in Afghanistan.

“The new development came Wednesday when state veterans officials said they had received a legal opinion from the Nevada attorney general’s office that concluded federal officials have no authority over state cemeteries. As a result, they intend to have a contractor make a plaque with the Wiccan pentacle – a circle around a five-pointed star – to be added to the Veterans’ Memorial Wall in Fernley. “The VA still has not determined yet if a Wiccan symbol can go on the headstone,” said Tim Tetz, executive director of the Nevada Office of Veterans Services. “But we have determined we control the state cemetery and that we therefore have the ability to recognize him for his service to his country,” he said.”

Despite this good news, it only solves the problem for one soldier. Other Pagan and Heathen veterans are still awaiting VA approval to be properly honored. Here is what Circle Sanctuary had to say in a press release sent yesterday.

“Although the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has had requests for more than nine years to add the Pentacle to the list of emblems of belief that can be included on the headstones, markers, and plaques they issue for deceased veterans, it has failed to do so. Thus far, the VA has continued to maintain that it needs to revise its procedures again, an excuse it has repeatedly used in the past in response to Wiccans requesting that the Pentacle be added to the list. During the nine-year period of keeping the Pentacle pending, the VA has approved emblems of belief for six other religions and philosophies.”

You can read about the long history of the government stonewalling Pagan symbols, here. One can only hope that this will finally shame the VA into action (though I doubt it). But even if the Pentacle for Wiccans is approved tomorrow, this fight is only beginning. Once the door is opened we will need to stick together and help all the modern Pagan and Heathen faiths get their symbols approved. Then we can rest knowing that some small measure of respect and justice has been earned for our faith communities.

Tags: Paganism