Wiccan plaque to be dedicated in Nevada
By SCOTT SONNER, Associated Press Writer Fri Dec 1, 7:43 PM ET
RENO, Nev. - Friends and family of a soldier killed in
Afghanistan will gather Saturday to dedicate what they call the first government-issued memorial plaque with a Wiccan symbol.
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The plaque for Sgt. Patrick Stewart was installed last week on the Veterans Memorial Wall at the Northern Nevada Veterans Cemetery in Fernley, about 30 miles east of Reno.
Stewart's widow, Roberta, has been fighting to make the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs allow the Wiccan pentacle — a five-pointed star enclosed in a circle — for plaques and headstones at veterans' cemeteries.
VA rules recognize more than 30 symbols, including more than a dozen variations of the Christian cross and the atomic whirl used by atheists, but not the pentacle. Wiccans say the pentacle represents earth, air, fire, water and spirit, and some consider themselves good witches, pagans or neo-pagans.
The Nevada Office of Veteran Services, citing its jurisdiction over maintenance of the state cemetery, issued the plaque in September.
Last month, Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed a lawsuit on the Wiccans' behalf claiming the VA's actions amount to constitutional violations of free speech, freedom of religion and due process.
VA officials have said they are rewriting rules and procedures for approving emblems, a process which also requires a public comment period.
Stewart and four other soldiers died Sept. 25, 2005, when their Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061202/ap_on_re_us/wiccan_soldier_2
