Major Victory for Sgt. Stewart .. Nevada Overrides the VA!

[Guest guest]

Yaaa Hoooo!!! This isn't the end of the battle but a major victory

just the same. Please feel free to forward to anyone.

 

Blessings,

Lynne

 

 

mailinglistbouncer

[mailinglistbouncer]On Behalf Of Circle Times

Wednesday, September 13, 2006 11:51 PM

lhoover649

[circletimes] Pentacle Quest Breakthrough!

 

 

 

There has been an important development in the Veteran Pentacle

Quest!

 

Although the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) still has not

approved the Pentacle, Sgt. Stewart is getting the Pentacle on his

plaque!

 

The Nevada Office of Veterans Services announced today that they

have taken action to get Sgt. Stewart's plaque with the Pentacle on

it produced and installed on the Wall of Heroes at the Northern

Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, Nevada.

 

This decision was made after the Nevada Attorney General's Office

determined that the state has sole discretion over state veteran

cemeteries.

 

Tim Tetz, the Executive Director of the Nevada Office of Veterans

Services,said in a press release issued today: " I promised his

widow and many others that we would diligently pursue every option

to make certain Sgt. Stewart received recognition for his

contributions as an Army soldier, a Nevadan, and an American hero. "

 

Roberta Stewart was ecstatic and expressed thanks: " Thank you and

the State of Nevada for your on-going support on this issue and for

standing up and doing the right thing by honoring my husband for his

and our family's sacrifices. It gives me great peace to know my

husband did not die in vain and I hope that the VA will follow suit

and approve the Wiccan emblem for its National Cemetery

Administration's emblem of belief list so that soldiers of all

faiths can be honored equally. "

 

Rev. Selena Fox, Senior Minister of Circle Sanctuary, also was

delighted by the news: " I am thrilled that the State of Nevada

stepped in and took action so that Sgt. Stewart is properly

honored. The service and sacrifice of Sgt. Stewart and the US

Constitution should not have been ignored due to bureaucratic

roadblocks. It is time for the VA to approve the Pentacle

for veteran grave markers and stop its pattern of disregard, delay,

and discrimination against the Wiccan religion, Wiccan veterans, and

their families. "

 

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.

 

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is representing

Roberta Stewart and Circle Sanctuary. Barry Lynn, Executive of Americans United, praised Nevada Governor Kenny C. Guinn

for the move and called on VA officials to stop dragging their

feet. He said other Wiccan families are still waiting for the VA to

add the Pentacle to their list of emblems of belief. Lynn

says " We will continue to press this issue until the federal

government gives a favorable response. "

 

More information about the Veteran Pentacle Quest is on-line:

http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle

 

Please spread the news -- forward to lists, websites, media sources,

blogs, and others who may be interested. Thanks!

 

 

Circle Times: Wednesday, September 13, 2006