Offerings at the gravestone
More offerings at the gravestone
Rev. David Oringderff, Ph.D., head of the Sacred Well Congregation, presenting a plaque to J. D. Walker, Vice Chancellor of the House of Akasha for her work in family plot cemetery registration, one of the steps needed in order to have the pentacle gravestone issued by the VA for placement on private land. J. D., Marci Drewry of Sacred Well Congregation, and Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary worked together in getting the pentacle gravestone for Stephen P. Snowberger, III, at his family's newly created family cemetery.
Family Cemetery Pentacle Gravestone Team: Selena Fox, Circle Sanctuary; Marci Drewry, Sacred Well Congregation; J. D. Walker, House of Akasha.
Selena Fox with House of Akasha members
Rev. Selena Fox with PFC Snowberger's pentacle gravestone following the Dedication & Memorial on December 1, 2007 at the family cemetery near Lexington, North Carolina.
As with Sgt. Stewart's plaque dedication on December 2, 2006 in Nevada, Wiccan leaders from several denominations in the USA and UK consecrated the family cemetery and gravestone during the December 1 service in North Carolina.
The gravestone, with offerings
Rev. Selena Fox at the start of the Pentacle Gravestone Dedication & Memorial for Stephen Snowberger III on December 1 in North Carolina. Photo by Audrey.
Selena Fox reads statement of support by Barry Lynn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and presents a framed copy to Deborah Brown, mother of Stevie Snowberger who was killed in Iraq in 2006.
Lianna, a pipecarrier of the Cherokee Nation Western Band, did the traditional Warrior Blessing on veterans present for the Dedication. Photo by Audrey.
Warrior Blessing & some veterans at Dedication
Cemetery Consecration beginning
Cemetery Consecration - calling Earth Element
Cemetery Consecration - Calling Fire
Plaque for Deborah at Dedicatio
Honoring Deborah & Family at Dedication & Memorial
Some of the Veterans at Dedication following Adjutant's Call
Honoring Stevie with offerings around gravestone
Gravestone offerings procession
Gravestone with offerings
David Oringderff of Sacred Well & Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary with some of the veterans at the Dedication.
Selena & Audrey
Selena & Deborah Following the ceremony
Reception
Rev. David Oringderff talks about Victory Base Open Circle in Baghdad, and the Sacred Well Congregation at the start of the Pentacle Gravestone Dedication & Memorial for PFC Stephen P. Snowberger, III.
Some of the participants in the ceremony, at its start.
Selena Fox started the ceremony with an overview of the history of the Veteran Pentacle Quest and its success, plus the need to do additional work in order to have the stone at a private family cemetery.
J. D. Walker of the House of Akasha spoke about her research into North Carolina cemetery regulations and her work getting the family cemetery registered in connection with the pentacle gravestone request.
Marci speaks at the ceremony
Lianna Constantino does Cherokee blessing and honoring of Stephen Snowberger during the ceremony.
Dr. David Oringderff performed the Adjutant's Call.
Adjutant's Call with veterans saluting
Veteran Salute honoring at gravestone
More Veteran Salute at Gravestone
Even more Veteran salute
Selena placed sprigs of Rosemary for remembrance at the gravestone.
Members of House of Akasha at ceremony
Selena presents Veteran Pentacle Quest Victory Medal to Deborah Brown.
Marci Drewry,founder of Victory Base Open Circle in Baghdad, Iraq, and Director of Military Affairs for the Sacred Well Congregation, honored PFC Stephen Snowberger III with remarks and poems during the ceremony.
Selena Fox by altar during ceremony
Selena by gravestone during ceremony
David presenting coins to Deborah
Five members of Rolling Thunder, a motorcycle group which protects military funerals and memorials, were a protective presence at the ceremony. Some are shown here with some of Stevie Snowberger's family.
The pentacle gravestone is at the base of "Stevie's Tree," which includes an American flag and a small commemorative marker.
Stevie's tree & pentacle gravestone
Following the ceremony, Dr. David Oringderff presented appreciation plaques to Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary and JD Walker for their work with the US Department of Veterans Affairs with making it possible for the pentacle gravestone to be produced and delivered for installation at the family cemetery.
Plaque presentation celebration
JD Walker of House of Akasha, Dr. David Oringderff of Sacred Well Congregation, and Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary with plaques of appreciation.
Filming the gravestone with pentacle and offerings
Stephen Snoweberger's pentacle gravestone with offerings following the dedication and memorial on December 1.
Documentary filmmakers covered the event as part of a military chaplaincy film they are working on. They talked about their project during the introductions part of the event.
Filming happened throughout the event.
Selena, Marci, J. D.
Selena & RavenHarte
Paul Brown, Stevie's StepFather, with Stevie's Victory Base Open Circle coin created by Sacred Well Congregation.
Dr. David Oringderff being interviewed after the ceremony.
Selena with some members of House of Akasha
Marci after the ceremony
Two active duty Pagan soldiers from Fort Bragg with a veteran
Photo board with scenes from Stevie's life
Deborah & Paul Brown
One of the places of rememberance at the Brown's home.
Stevie's namesake
Deborah Brown, Stevie's mother, read Tia Hu's Keepers of The Fire, during the ceremony.