America's first VA-issued headstone containing both a Wiccan Pentacle and a Christian Cross to be dedicated in a national interfaith memorial service for Jan O'Rourke

July 4, 2007

9 am - Welcome, Introductions, Book of Remembrance Signing
9:15 am - Press Briefing: Overview of the Service & Summary of History
9:30 am - 10:30 am - Memorial Service & Headstone Dedication

Arlington National Cemetery
Plot location 60 7491

Arlington, Virginia is across the Potomac River bordering Washington, DC

• Jan Deanna O'Rourke of Florida dedicated her life to service. As a successful businesswoman, she contributed to many charities and was the recipient of numerous awards, including "Big Sister of the Year".
• As a member of the Florida State Democratic Committee, Jan demonstrated her dedication to America in her role as a state committeewoman.
• Jan also was a Wiccan priestess, worked in the interfaith community building bridges of understanding among the world's religions.
• On February 16, 2005, Jan Deanna O'Rourke expressed her last wish in an email to friend and Wiccan Priestess Paula Johnson saying, "At this point if I was to die tomorrow I would be eligible for a Wiccan service, just no Pentacle on my headstone. Hopefully this will be changed before my demise."
• Jan O'Rourke died 8 days later on February 24, 2005.
• For two years this wish went unfulfilled. Jan's remains lay in the hallowed ground of Arlington National Cemetery beside her beloved husband and veteran Captain William O'Rourke. The headstone that marked their burial site contained only the Christian cross on her husband's side of the marker. The emblem part of Jan's side was blank, with no pentacle.
• Jan's friend and colleague, Rev. Paula Johnson, joined the efforts of Rev. Selena Fox, Senior Minister of Circle Sanctuary, in the quest to get the Pentacle, the religious emblem of the Wiccan religion, authorized by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for use on headstones, markers and memorial plaques it issues to honor deceased veterans.
• As a result of the settlement of the federal religious discrimination lawsuit brought by Americans United for Separation of Church and State on behalf of Circle Sanctuary and others, the pentacle was finally added to the VA's list of authorized emblems and VA-issued memorial markers with Pentacles began being produced and installed across the nation.
• On July 4, 2007, we honor the realization of Jan Deanna O'Rourke's dying wish and interfaith marriage by dedicating the first VA-issued interfaith headstone in the history of the United States to be engraved with both the Christian Cross and Wiccan Pentacle.

Join us as we celebrate a promise made and kept for liberty and justice for all.

Less than one year before her death, Jan Deanna O'Rourke spoke at an Interfaith and Religious Freedom Day and said, "I am but one person, but as Americans we are many, and we will not tolerate religious persecution in the United States of America. Not in my City, Not in my State, And not in my Country!

Jan's Independence Day interfaith headstone dedication and memorial ceremony will be conducted by Rev. Selena Fox, Senior Minister of Circle Sanctuary with eulogy by friend and colleague Rev. Paula Johnson. Also assisting will be Margot Adler, Wiccan priestess and author from New York City; Marci Drewy, Director of Military Affairs for the Sacred Well Congregation; and others, including some members of the Order of the Pentacle, a national Wiccan/Pagan veterans association.

Directions to Arlington National Cemetery
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/directions.html

Visitor Information for Arlington National Cemetery
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/visitor_information/index.htm

History of Arlington National Cemetery
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/historical_information/index.html

History of the Veteran Pentacle Quest
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle
http://www.au.org

For more information about this event & to schedule interviews, contact:

Paula Johnson
Media Relations Liaison, Lady Liberty League
paulabethjohnson@comcast.net
954-471-1435

Circle Sanctuary
608-924-2216
circle@circlesanctuary.org

NOTE: Television & film teams -- Submit requests to Arlington National Cemetery by July 1 in order to film the July 4th service. Arlington National Cemetery and the US Department of the Army must have time to issue permits for filming. Contact Karen McCarthy at 703-607-8574. All media requests must be emailed to kara.mccarthy@anc.army.mil

Lady Liberty League Press Release: Thursday, June 28, 2007

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