26 May, 2006

crazy: For Wiccan Nev. soldier, death brings fight

From AP News. The least that could be done for this man's family would be to let them have a pentacle on his memorial.

Stewart, of Fernley, who was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, was a follower of the Wiccan religion, which the
Department of Veterans Affairs does not recognize....
The Veterans Affairs' National Cemetery Administration allows only approved emblems of religious beliefs on government headstones. Over the years, it has approved more than 30, including symbols for the Tenrikyo Church, United Moravian Church and Sikhs. There's also an emblem for atheists — but none for Wiccans.
Full text here.

And remember, folks-
Gov. GEORGE W. BUSH (R), Texas (23 June, 1999)
"I don’t think witchcraft is a religion. I would hope the military officials would take a second look at the decision they made."
. Annoyingly enough, ABC News no longer hosts the transcript for this show, which used to be http://abcnews.go.com/onair/goodmorningamerica/transcripts/gma990624_wiccans_trans.html.
It's now only available through some company named Transcripts.tv. The show is Good Morning America, date 24 June, 1999.

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