You’ve probably already read the WaPo story (or a similar one) on the VA’s refusal to allow a Wiccan symbol to be used on military graves and memorials, including that of Sgt. Patrick D. Stewart, killed in Afghanistan last year.
At the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in the small town of Fernley, Nev., there is a wall of brass plaques for local heroes. But one space is blank. There is no memorial for Sgt. Patrick D. Stewart.
That’s because Stewart was a Wiccan, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has refused to allow a symbol of the Wicca religion — a five-pointed star within a circle, called a pentacle — to be inscribed on U.S. military memorials or grave markers.
So, you’ve read it, I don’t need to tell you about how appalling it is. What I want to talk about instead is the remarkable level of support, no, of acknowledgement, this story has received. Oh, sure, the media has to write about it; dead soldier, wartime, human interest, big stink. But I tell you, ten years ago, we would not have had so many non-Pagans rallying to our support.
Among the surprises are Christianity Today and the ultra-conservative Rutherford Institute.
The blogosphere has been rockin’ on this as well. Shakespeare’s Sister isn’t Pagan. Pandagon isn’t Pagan. The Carpetbagger isn’t Pagan. These people aren’t blogging to support their own community, they’re blogging to support the rights of everyone, and they’re acknowledging that Pagans are included in “everyone.” Lefties and progressives all over the map are taking this issue on as their own, just as heterosexuals are taking on gay marriage as their own.
Folks, that’s new. That’s news. And in these dark times, I am all about celebrating the good news when it deigns to show up.
It is exciting and heartening. If enough leaders show support for us and our issues, the flocks will follow and it may be the start of the mainstreem acceptance that everyone says they want.
That’s exciting.
Me too, me too! The only reason I haven’t been blogging about this is that I haven’t been blogging at all. Count me in. Everyone is everyone is everyone.
Okay, everyone. Amy’s in. 🙂
I guess we shouldn’t tell the military about all of the arcane symbols around DC or that their headquarters are in a penta…gon… (to be really entertained you can check out this site about the possible significance of the shape)
Hey, CmdrSue! I haven’t seen you lately. Welcome back.
This issue is such a no brainer that even folks who don’t like us much can see how wrong the V.A. is on the subject.
It is good news that the support pagans richly deserve is beginning to show (thanks for the link).
The VA/Gov’t refusal to acknowledge Stewart and other pagan soldiers infuriates me. And as Dan said, it’s a no-brainer.
Here’s hoping that continued discourse on the subject will bring about the change and recognition.
Does anyone know the names of those responsible for the hold up?
The VA has been extremely tight-lipped about that information, Robert.