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Senator John Cornyn:
On August 4, 1978, a seventeen year old farm boy, a two sport varsity athlete, a state award winning public speaker, a budding performance artist, a dedicated employee of a local livestock manufacturing corporation from a middle income, middle class, tax paying, patriotic family with two military veteran parents, raised his right hand and swore a sacred oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
In November, 1979 that same farm boy from Iowa, now a member of a United States Army Special Forces Operational Detachment "A" team, parachuted into a desert location, high winds causing injuries to neck and spine. He and other injured team members continued their 30 day mission--for it was in preparation as a contingency operation in support of an upcoming hostage rescue mission somewhere else in the world.
In February, 1991, that same farm boy, now living in North Carolina, is conducting dismounted reconnaissance patrols along the Euphrates River Valley, west of Basrah, Iraq. His right leg is injured by the concussion of an explosion, engages and kills three armed enemy combatants, and continues the mission as the 24th Infantry Division engages elements of the feared Iraqi Republican Guard fleeing out of a Kuwait being liberated by Coalition Forces.
In April, 2003, that same farm boy, now a homeowner and legal resident of the great state of Texas is providing armed security as a Gunner in an unarmored wheeled vehicle and sustains a battlefield injury to his left shoulder during the push northward through Baghdad to Tirkit as a member of the 4th Infantry Division's Task Force Iron Horse from Fort Hood, Texas. He remains, in Iraq, injured, due to his focus on the needs of his Soldiers and the seven Army Values.
Now, June 2006, that same farm boy, that patriot, that decorated and disabled combat veteran still serving, that public school teacher, that Boy Scout Leader, that Master Mason, that loving and nurturing father of four precious children, that tax payer, your faithful constituent, wonders when the simple act of the approval of a religious emblem, a five sided open star resting inside a circle, a Pentacle, will finally be approved to honor the last request of a fallen comrade: the late Sergeant Patrick Stewart.
Senator Cornyn, my name is Richard Arlington Briggs, Jr. I am an active duty service member, United States Army, with over 20 years of faithful military service. I am that farm boy.
And, I am a Pagan and an American. I vote as a Pagan. I read, write, speak as a Pagan.
I live and worship as a Pagan. I will die as a Pagan and an American. I carried the Special Forces Association guideon in front of your car during that 4th of July Parade during your initial bid for election.
As a fellow American and a true patriot, I know in my heart-of-hearts, you join me and others dedicated in the preservation of our basic rights as guaranteed under our precious Constitution. Here, we are speaking of the freedom to practice your own religion and the right to be recognized accordingly in death.
As we continue to fight the Global War On Terrorism (GWOT), if I should die, I would prefer my children, family, friends, and comrades to visit my family plot and see a completed headstone or burial marker - one which depicts the religious symbol of my faith since 1972, the religious emblem for which I have fought and shed blood in the pursuit of many worthy ideals--with the penultimate being freedom.
Get the Department of Veterans Affairs to immediately approve the Pentacle as Emblem #37 of approved religious symbols and honor us in death as you honor us while living and serving. Nine years is too long.
I bid you Bright Blessings, Deep Peace, and Be.
Humbly and respectfully,
Richard Arlington Briggs, Jr.