A variety of letters have been sent to media about the Pentacle for Veterans Quest. Here is an example. A version of this letter by DesertMist was sent to the editor of the Las Vegas Review Journal.
Letter to the Editor:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
Patrick Stewart of Fernley, Nevada died a hero to protect the very freedoms the Constitution affords all of us.
He was brought home, buried, grieved and honored by all of us. A symbol of his religion was to be placed as a marker next to his name on the memorial wall at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery -- Just as every other hero is honored.
Ah, but therein lies the story. Patrick is Wiccan and the symbol of his religion is the Pentacle. Oh, how the Armed Forces have debated this one! It appears that they appointed themselves judge and jury in complete defiance of the First Amendment of the Constitution, since so far, they have refused to approve the Pentacle for this hero's memorial.
This is not about which religion Patrick Stewart practiced. Our country was founded on freedom and religious tolerance for all. We are afforded the right of religious freedom in the First Amendment of the Constitution.
Memorial Day is fast approaching. It is a time to honor our fallen heroes. What better way to honor Patrick Stewart than to place the symbol of his faith on his memorial and in doing so honoring the freedom of our nation that he so bravely fought to uphold.
Maureen Delaney
Las Vegas, Nevada