[Vision2020] Wiccans Get Grave Marker Symbol

[debismith at moscow.com]

And about damn time, too!! Wiccans have been serving in the Military for a very long time. 
They desrve the same honor as the 33 other religious groups whose symbols may appear on 
their military headstones. What's the problem some folks have with those who believe the earth 
is worth saving, take personal responsibility for their actions, and honor the seasons of the 
year? 
Debi R-S

From:           	"Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
To:             	"Vision 2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Date sent:      	Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:04:18 -0700
Subject:        	[Vision2020] Wiccans Get Grave Marker Symbol

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>From today's (April 23, 2007) Roundup Edition of the Army Times -

It's about time.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Wiccans get grave marker symbol

By Scott Bauer - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Apr 23, 2007

MADISON, Wis. - Wiccans will be allowed to have the symbol of their
religion placed on grave markers in national cemeteries under a
lawsuit settlement with the Department of Veterans Affairs announced
Monday.

The settlement calls for the Wiccans' pentacle, a five-pointed star
representing earth, air, fire, water and spirit to be placed on grave
markers within 14 days for those who have pending requests with the
VA.

There are 11 families nationwide that are waiting for grave markers
with the pentacle, said Selena Fox, a Wiccan high priestess with
Circle Sanctuary in Barneveld, Wis., and a party to the lawsuit.

"I am glad this has ended in success in time to get markers for
Memorial Day," she said.

The agreement settles a lawsuit filed in November by veterans' widows
and others alleging that the VA has stalled for more than nine years
in recognizing the pentacle. The case, which will be dismissed under
the settlement, was scheduled to go to trial in June in federal court
in Madison.

The pentacle joins 38 religious symbols the VA already permits on
gravestones. They include commonly recognized symbols for
Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism, as well as those for
smaller religions such as Sufism Reoriented, Eckankar and the Japanese
faith Seicho-No-Ie.

The pentacle was already listed as an acceptable symbol Monday morning
on the VA's Web site.

"This settlement has forced the Bush administration into acknowledging
that there are no second-class religions in America, including among
our nation's veterans," said Rev. Barry W. Lynn, director of Americans
United for Separation of Church and State, which brought the lawsuit
on behalf of the Wiccans. "It is a proud day for religious freedom in
the United States."

The VA sought the settlement in the interest of the families involved
and to save taxpayers the expense of further litigation, VA spokesman
Matt Burns said. Under the settlement, the VA agreed to pay $225,000
in attorneys' fees and costs.

The government also agreed to settle when it became clear the Wiccans'
application to have the pentacle recognized would be "favorably
considered" under new rules the VA was working on, Burns said.

A nature-based religion, the Wiccan faith is founded on respect for
the earth, nature and the cycle of the seasons. Wiccans have argued
that the pentacle has gotten a bad reputation because people don't
understand the religion or its imagery. Variations of the pentacle not
accepted by the religion have been used in horror movies as a sign of
the devil.

The lawsuit argued that the VA's refusal to act on requests to permit
the symbol on veterans' grave markers violated Wiccans' constitutional
rights of freedom of speech, religion and due process.

The lawsuit also said it made no sense for Wiccan symbols to be banned
from grave markers when Wiccan soldiers can list their faith on dog
tags, Wiccan organizations are allowed to hold services on military
installations, and the Army Chaplains Handbook includes an explanation
of the religion.

The lawsuit was filed by Circle Sanctuary; Isis Invicta Military
Mission, a Wiccan and Pagan congregation serving military personnel
based in Geyserville, Calif.; Jill Medicine Heart Combs, whose husband
is severely ill; and two widows of Wiccans - Roberta Stewart of Nevada
and Karen DePolito of Utah.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the
tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." 

--Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.


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