December 1 Dedication of North Carolina's first VA-issued Pentacle Gravestone honors Wiccan soldier killed in Iraq
On Saturday, December 1, 2007, from 1 - 6 pm, Wiccan leaders from across the country will gather near Lexington, North Carolina with family, friends, veterans, and others in honoring Wiccan soldier, PFC Stephen P. Snowberger III, who was killed in action in Iraq on May 11, 2006. They will conduct a memorial honoring Snowberger's life, service, and sacrifice, and dedicate his memorial gravestone, recently issued by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Snowberger's gravestone, which is inscribed with the pentacle, the Wiccan emblem of belief, is historic. It is among the first pentacle-inscribed gravestones in the nation and the first in North Carolina to be issued by the VA.
PFC Stephen P. Snowberger III was killed on May 11, 2006 when the HUMVEE he was in was hit by an IED launched by insurgents. PFC Eric D. Clark, the driver, was also killed. The soldiers and their vehicle were part of a caravan that had been delivering medical supplies to Iraqi civilians. Following their deaths, a series of memorial services was held for both soldiers, who served in the 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 10th Mountain Division of Fort Drum, New York.
Obtaining a gravestone with pentacle was not possible in 2006 following Snowberger's death because the VA, despite nearly a decade of efforts by Wiccan churches, had not yet added the pentacle to its list of emblems of belief authorized to be included on the grave markers it issues to honor deceased veterans. The Wiccan religion is a pre-Christian Nature religion, which honors the cycles of the seasons and moons, and is similar in many respects to traditional Native American religion.
The VA finally added the pentacle to its list of emblems of belief approved for use on veteran gravestones on April 23, 2007. The VA did so as part of its settlement of a federal lawsuit brought in the US District Court of the Western Wisconsin District by the Washington, DC-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State, representing Circle Sanctuary, an international Wiccan church, and some of its military families.
Snowberger's cremains have been interred in the private family cemetery at the rural home of his mother, Deborah Brown, near Lexington. His mother and other family members are relieved that, at last, they can mark Stephen's final resting place with the government-issued marker that was due him.
Rev. Selena Fox, senior minister of Circle Sanctuary in Wisconsin, is among the Wiccan clergy conducting the service. She served as a liaison between the VA and Snowberger's family in applying for and obtaining the pentacle-inscribed marker.
In Iraq, Snowberger was a member of the Victory Base Open Circle, sponsored by the Sacred Well Congregation, an international Wiccan church whose American headquarters are in Texas. Sacred Well Congregation's Rev. David Oringderff, Ph.D., of Arizona, International Executive Council Executive Agent, and Rev. Marci Drewry of Virginia, Director of Military Affairs, will be among the officiating clergy at the dedication ceremony.
In addition, the service will include participation by North Carolina clergy, including the Vice Chancellor of the House of Akasha, a Celtic Church, and the High Priestess of Clann Caladvwlch, a Wiccan group. Stephen Snowberger's mother, Deborah Brown, will be reading a poem to honor her son.
The interfaith service will include military honors, readings, eulogy, music, gravestone consecration, and the placing of commemorative offerings of fresh flowers and evergreen sprigs next to the gravestone by those attending. A documentary film crew will be among the media covering this historic event.
Those planning to attend the dedication need to arrive between 1 - 1:30 pm. The Dedication ceremony begins at 2 pm and will be followed by a potluck social. Participants are invited to bring a dish of food for the social.
For more information:
Contact: Circle Sanctuary
Rev. Selena Fox
(608) 924-2216 (weekdays)
(608) 334-5923 (Cell, Friday & Saturday)
selena@circlesanctuary.org
Circle Sanctuary Press Release