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Sgt Patrick Stewart probably never imagined that the VA would deny him the very freedoms he fought for in life after his death.
I am here to speak for those who can't.
My husband is a Wiccan Veteran. His name is Gerwin Dee Combs.
Gerwin served in the United States Army from 1979 to 1986.
For the last two years he has been in a VA hospital. His in a coma and his medical records reflect a persistant vegetative state.
I know at any point my husband could die. I know he would want a Pentacle on his headstone and as of now he could not have one.
Congresswoman Jean Schmidt of Ohio's 2nd district wrote in a letter to me this summer stating that the VA is concerned about the legal and moral issues surrounding the approval of the Pentacle.
The First Amendment of the Constitution protects freedom of religion. It is not the job of the VA to determine the morality of any particular religion.
But, for the record my husband's religion is moral.
I will tell you what is immoral. It is immoral for the VA to deny religious freedom to veterans who have served their country to fight for that freedom.
My husband served his country, but not only deserves a Pentacle on his headstone, but it is his Constitutional right to have one.
I vow to do whatever it takes to make certain my husband's constitutional rights are upheld.