Soldier's Widow Threatens Lawsuit Over Refusal of Wiccan Symbol on Memorial

July 5, 2006

Source: KWTX.com

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On July 5, 2006 KWTX.com reported, "The widow of a U.S. soldier killed in Afghanistan is appealing the government's refusal to put a Wiccan symbol on his memorial plaque.

Roberta Stewart was scheduled to meet Wednesday with an undersecretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and is threatening to sue unless her demand is met.

Her husband, Nevada Army National Guard Sgt. Patrick Stewart, died Sept. 25, 2005 when his Chinook helicopter was shot down.

Four others also died.

The agency so far has refused to grant the family's request to have the Wiccan pentacle, a five-pointed star surrounded by a circle, placed on Stewart's government-issued plaque at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Wicca is not among the 38 belief systems, including atheism, recognized by the department.

Wiccans worship the Earth."