Comments on: Soldier Killed in Iraq Denied Wiccan Symbol on Memorial

By: chris

chris — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 04:11:47 +0000

if the guy wanted the picture of johnny cash giving people the finger on his gravestone it wouldn't bother me much. the dude served and now he's dead. give him whatever he would've wanted.

By: McGehee

McGehee — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 18:42:19 +0000

The US military gives official recognition of Wicca as a religion. Thus, it doesnâ��t make a lot of sense to deny symbolic recognition at a grave site.

I couldn't agree more.

By: Cernig

Cernig — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 15:20:06 +0000

Hi James, I blogged this just over a month ago (Memorial Day weekend) when it first hit the newswires. I'm a pagan myself and this story horrified me. My mesage to the VA would be simple - "can we please start honoring ALL our fallen heroes in the way they would wish instead of insulting them and their religion?" NINE years and they still can't grant approval for these grave markers and memorials? When the religious groups that are approved include The Aaronic Order, The Native American Church, Baha'i, Konko-Kyo, Sufism, Tenrikyo, Seicho-no-ie, The Church of World Messianity, the Moravian Church and Enkankar? I think the WaPo may be correct when it says the VA is afraid of upsetting extremist Christians. I wonder if Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., have any comment to make for the public record? Tim Tetz, executive director of the Nevada Office of Veterans Services, has been trying to get them to pressure the VA. I see from the WaPo article that Nevada's congressional delegation, including Reid, are supporting Stewart's family but there are no actual statements from the politicos. A bit more bloggy buzz would certainly help. Anyone who wishes to personally register their wish for this hero and others to have an appropriate memorial could always let the House Committee on Veteran's Affairs know too. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs 335 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 or call: (202) 225-3527 Regards, Cernig @ Newshog

By: B. Minich

B. Minich — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 14:23:31 +0000

My first reaction upon seeing the name was hearing a deep voice saying the word "Engage". But that's the geek in me.

I agree that they should put the symbol on his grave. While as a Christian, I disagree with his religion, I see no reason to deny him his headstone preference. Its not like denying him the headstone he wants will suddenly make him a Christian or something.

By: John Burgess

John Burgess — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 14:00:58 +0000

The US military gives official recognition of Wicca as a religion. Thus, it doesn't make a lot of sense to deny symbolic recognition at a grave site. This sounds like another instance of left and right hands not being well coordinated.

By: The Military Industrial Complex Insider

The Military Industrial Complex Insider — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

are about 1800 members of the armed services that believe in the Wicca religion. Various supporters have been petitioning the VA to allow the use of the Pentacle for nine years, during which time they have allowed 11 new symbols for other religions. [4] My question to the lady in GA is what is wrong with children learning about the religious beliefs our Soldiers, especially heroes. Does she want to ban books that promote other religions as well (rhetorical question, of course she does). It would be