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.
The space reserved for Stewart is vacant. Stewart was a follower of the Wiccan religion, which is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Stewart's widow, Roberta, said she'll 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 Stewart's plaque is installed.
She does have a real problem and it's a sad comment on the VA bureaucracy.
Ref: VA - "Emblems of Belief Available For Placement on Government Headstones and Markers"
You can bet if anyone tries to have the Wiccan emblem added to the "approved" list, the Religious Right zealots (foaming at the mouth) will mount a national campaign to prevent "Satan worshipers" (which the Wiccans are not) being recognized and added to the list. In addition, I would not be surprised to see these zealots demonize this women directly.
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