Voices of Pagan and Wiccan Veterans
About the Pentacle Quest

"I served my country to protect, among many others, the freedom of religion. It is not right for me not to be able to express my religious views in my own death. The pentacle is my religious symbol. I want it on my headstone. I served my country and I deserve it. I protected your right to practice your religion, now it's time for you to stand up for mine!"

ChironAE
Jeffrey D. Embree
Indianapolis, Indiana

I served in the US navy for 20 years, my father served in the Army for 25 years, my brother served in the Navy for 20 years, now my son is in the Army has has served 5 years. No one asked any of us to give up our Constitution right of Freedom of Religion but we were asked to fight and possible die in defense of that right. To have the symbol of our religion on our headstone not only honors our commitment to this country but also to the deities and ideas that we believe in.

Robert C. Mosolf
"I am thankful that someone has the courage to battle the bureaucratic red tape to ensure our rights to freedom of religion. I stand behind you all the way. Blessed Be!"

C. Huffman
US Army
Operation Desert Storm Veteran

"I would say to our Lawmakers and the VA that as a Veteran it was an honor to serve my country during Desert Storm. My country called and I answered. I gave much; my first born was 3 months old before I got to see her. Because I was serving my country. Protecting the American Way of life. I sacrificed seeing the birth of my daughter. But others gave all; sacrificing blood as many other Veterans have and have died for their country.

Mothers and Fathers have offered their sons and daughters at the feet of Liberty and done so willingly because they believe in America.

Who oh why can't America believe in them enough to offer them a simple star?

It seems so little to ask that we place these warriors under a symbol of their faith as a simple thank you for their service. After all the true test of freedom is supporting something you may not agree with, knowing in the end you are strengthening everything you do."

Rev. Duane Marshall
189th Ord Co - Desert Storm
Kansas City - Missouri

We constantly hear "Support Our Troops" in the media and by government officials. However, when it comes time to doing just that, our governement is seriously failing. By denying any soldier the opportunity to choose what symbol they want for their spiritual path, regardless of what that path is, the government is disrespecting the life, service, and death of that soldier. It is past time to correct this. Support all troops and allow the pentacle to be placed on the headstones of our Pagan soldiers.

Sincerely
Havensward
Veteran

My thoughts are with you in your quest to get the Pentacle approved by the VA. I am a Vietnam Era veteran of the U.S. Army. I am also a mother of several veterans, both Army and Marine, who, if they had been killed in the most recent conflicts of the past 10+ years, required that I be camped out in Washington DC, fighting to have the pentacle put on their plaques. What happens if I change my mind about cremation and decide to be buried in a VA cemetery? At the present time, I would not be allowed to have my Pentacle. But it is my hope that through the collective energy of Pagans around the world that we will prevail and finally attain what should have been rightfully ours all along. If we are recognized by the military when we enter the service, if we are given dispensation to follow our beliefs while serving, then how can we be denied our rights by another arm of the same government?

Goddess Bless.

Ellyn Darrah
Reno, NV
Children of Temple Earth

"I was a PFC in the USAR United States Army Reserves from 1979-1981. Last Sat. my old Wisconsin reserve unit returned home with a great welcome. When I was in we were told we were close to the first women to be in the regular army, training and units with the men. I was compelled to claim myself Christian as I was being harassed as it was for being female. I am Wicca-Pagan and would wish to have the pentacle on my marker should I ever am in need.

I served in peace time and given an honorable discharge in April of 1981.

I know there are some of the women who began this liberty still in service today and I commend them.

I feel as our finest "all service personnel" they should have the constitutional rights they fight or have fought for.

It’s that simple. The pentacle is neither rude, obscene, nor offending and until the twentieth century was even used by some sects of the majority religion today, "Christianity".

Why are we to deny religious freedoms and suffer our services personals families????

Those who give of their Very lives for freedom deserve better than this...

Why this is a no brainier people according to the constitution and all this country was founded on.

Let those who want to impose their religion on others think twice and learn from our history.

Take away my freedom to be and proclaim that I am Pagan, and soon your right for your beliefs will be taken also.

I beg the courts and our representatives to take heed.

I beg The Veterans Administration also, take heed:

I beg the people of this great nation, take heed;

To keep a watchful eye out for those who would destroy freedom..."

- Laura

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