Yet another reason why I love this country

Sgt. Patrick Stewart gave his life fighting in Afghanistan, was awarded the Air Medal, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Nevada Distinguished Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and was set to be buried in Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley. The only hang up was what symbol to put on his tombstone. You see, Sgt Stewart was a Wiccan. His wife wanted to put the Wiccan symbol, an upward facing pentagram, on his marker just as Christian's put a cross, Jews the Start of David, and Athiests and their cool symbol, which looks like something that would go on a superhero's chest (click here for a complete list with pictures). However, Wiccan isn't on the approved list, so no symbol for Sgt. Stewart (note that the article appears at Armytimes.com - love it. Cynic number one would say that the Army would try to squash such an article in one of their outlets). End of story? Hardly.

Mrs. Stewart appealed to the DVA, had strong community support, and Sgt. Stewart's brother's in arms in Afghanistan circulated a petition in support of her efforts. Here, cynic number two would say that the Christian's would clearly oppose the addition of a pagan symbol, especially the pentagram. Not so fast. ChristianityToday.com had this article by John W. Whitehead. A compassionate, well reasoned article in favor of allowing the pentagram.

So while Wiccan's have been seeking official recognition for more than a decade, Mrs. Stewart tried anyway. Cynic number three would say the DVA's bureaucracy is where petition's like this go to die. Well... maybe. On September 13, MSNBC.msn.com reported that Mrs. Stewart won state approval to put the pentagram on Sgt. Stewart's marker. The Nevada Attorney General found that the Feds have no authority over state burial grounds. The DVA is still deciding their official policy. So for now cynic number three is half-right. But after all this, I believe he will be all wrong.