March 21, 2007: Fallen Wiccan Solder and Widow Honored in Nevada State Legislature

Roberta Stewart attended the 74th Session of the Nevada Legislature on Wednesday, March 21, 2007. The widow of fallen Wiccan hero Sgt. Patrick Stewart was invited by Executive Director of Nevada's Veterans ServicesTim Tetz to witness the passage of Resolution 15, which honored 35 soldiers from the state of Nevada killed in the Global War on Terrorism. The session opened at 11:23 am in Carson City, Nevada with a prayer by Chaplain James Satilek in which he asked that God "Unify mankind and illumine the world of humanity." The "Presentation of the Colors" by the Honor Guard of the Nevada National Guard, was followed by a vote on Resolution No. 15. Sixty-six members of the Nevada State Assembly and Senate passed the resolution in a unanimous vote.

"WHEREAS, since the launching of the Global War on Terrorism in response to attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, through the Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom Operations, over 3,500 Americans have lost their lives, including thirty-five Nevadans; and

WHEREAS, the service of these women and men required sacrifice, hardship, endurance, dedication, courage and the highest level of patriotism; and

WHEREAS, Those Nevada citizens who served our country in the name of freedom and justice deserve special recognition for their sacrifice; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, THE SENATE CONCURRING,

That the following Nevadans are hereby honored for sacrificing their lives in service to their country.

RESOLVED, that the members of the 74th Session of the Nevada Legislature honor these brave Nevadans who made the ultimate sacrifice through their service, dedication and commitment to this country and their fellow man."

Roberta Stewart sat with Assemblyman Stewart from Las Vegas who then asked if the Speaker of the Assembly would break procedure and honor the family members in attendance. Roberta Stewart was one of only several families in attendance. "The entire Assembly stood up and applauded for us," said Roberta, "It was a very moving experience."

Assemblyman Grady then honored Sgt. Patrick Stewart and acknowledged Roberta Stewart's long battle to gain VA approval of her husband's religious emblem, the Pentacle, to the list of 38 religious emblems approved for use by the VA on the headstones, markers and memorial plaques of fallen soldiers.

In his remarks, now part of the official legislative record of Nevada's 74th Session, Assemblyman Grady said,

"I proudly stand in support of ACR 15. I unfortunately had one young gentleman from Fernley who lost his life in Afghanistan, Sergeant Patrick Stewart, age 34. Patrick had a strong belief that what he was doing in Afghanistan was the right thing, and his trust in and support of his comrades was extraordinary. He died on September 25, 2005, with his comrade, Chief Warrant Officer John Flynn of Sparks.

I would like to add that I am very proud of our Nevada Veterans' Services and our Governor. While the Sergeant's wife was having a difficult time getting a religious designation on his crypt at the Veterans' Cemetery in Fernley, the Veterans' Services and the Governor stepped up and basically overrode what the federal government was doing and assisted his wife and children in getting that crypt properly inscribed with the religious symbol that they had requested."

Assemblyman Stewart also mentioned Sgt. Patrick Stewart and Chief Warrant Officer John Flynn in his remarks. Both soldiers were killed when their Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Assemblyman Stewart went on to thank the widows and families of both soldiers "for giving your sons and husbands for our country."

"We pause to honor those we knew and loved; those Nevadans who heeded the call to service and forfeited all," said Assemblyman McClain, "To the families that have a name listed today, our debt can never be repaid. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts." Roberta Stewart was grateful for the honors bestowed upon her and her fallen husband but at the same time is angry that the VA continues to refuse to approve the Pentacle as a religious emblem. She is fighting her own "Operation Enduring Freedom" in a Wisconsin Federal Courtroom on June 29, 2007 and prays that her lawsuit against the VA will stop the decade long discrimination and result in the addition of the Pentacle to its list of VA approved symbols that can be included on veteran grave makers it issues.

Report by Paula Johnson of the Lady Liberty League

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