Religion Discrimination Keeps Name off Vietnam War Memorial (Wiccan religion)

[forrest]

Nevada National Guard Sgt. Patrick Stewart gave his life for his country when the Chinook helicopter he was in was shot down in Afghanistan in September.

But those wishing to honor Stewart, who should have his name on the memorial wall at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, would have a difficult time doing so.

The space reserved for Stewart is vacant. Stewart was a follower of the Wiccan religion, which is not recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Stewart's widow, Roberta, said she would wait until her family's religion — and its five-pointed star enclosed in a circle, with one point facing skyward — is recognized for use on memorials before having Stewart's plaque installed.

"It's completely blank," Roberta Stewart said, pointing to her husband's place on the memorial.

She said she had no idea the pentacle could not be used on her husband's memorial plaque until she spoke with the agency after his death.

"It's discrimination," she said. "They are discriminating against our religion."

Wiccans fight for military recognition
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=16676

[redthewitch75]

I see nothing that has to do with the Vietnam War Memorial in that article. While I am Pagan, tho not strictly Wiccan, I really don't think this needs to be such a big issue. Go and buy your own memorial with the pentagram on it, if that is what you need. I am sure he was aware of the fact that his chosen religion was not recognised by the military, when he enlisted. There are plenty of problems in the military these days, and this is just one of them.

[LIBRA]

I see nothing that has to do with the Vietnam War Memorial in that article. While I am Pagan, tho not strictly Wiccan, I really don't think this needs to be such a big issue. Go and buy your own memorial with the pentagram on it, if that is what you need. I am sure he was aware of the fact that his chosen religion was not recognised by the military, when he enlisted. There are plenty of problems in the military these days, and this is just one of them.


:cheers: hear hear!!!

I think everyone is so hung up on getting recognized, because it is there right, there freedom too. Which is valid to an extent, but things get blown out of proportion. And if it is your religion and your beliefs then hold it true to yourself who gives a flying beeeeeeep about anyone else.

[FreedomEagle]

I'm not sure which is worse the fact that they won't put his name on the wall or the fact that you referred to wicca as a religion.

[LIBRA]

It is a religion, that many people follow, its been around for a long long long time.

[forrest]

I see nothing that has to do with the Vietnam War Memorial in that article. While I am Pagan, tho not strictly Wiccan, I really don't think this needs to be such a big issue. Go and buy your own memorial with the pentagram on it, if that is what you need. I am sure he was aware of the fact that his chosen religion was not recognised by the military, when he enlisted. There are plenty of problems in the military these days, and this is just one of them.

If it's not recognized by the military it's not a religion then! Sorry I made that mistake. Thank you for clarifying that! ;)

I really don't think this needs to be such a big issue either, sorry it was posted. :p

[FreedomEagle]

I really don't think this needs to be such a big issue either, sorry it was posted. :p

Don't be sorry it was a good debate.
:D

[forrest]

Don't be sorry it was a good debate.
:D

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, NO I'M NOT! :D

[PEACE FROG]

Its sad that deaths in the middle east have become so common place that one would ponder such. A husband/father/brother/son /neighbor/soul was lost for nothing. AGAIN! It's clear that his religion didnt save him...... I pray his faith gave him comfort in his final moments and that he rests in peace.