Pentacle Gravestone Dedication & Memorial
for Stephen Snowberger III
On December 1, 2007 in North Carolina

Wiccan leaders and veterans, Pagans of many paths, and those of other religions gathered for this historic event.

Photo Gallery from the Dedication

Statement Honoring Stephen Snowberger III
by Barry Lynn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State

Pentacle Gravestone Dedication & Memorial for PFC Stephen P. Snowberger, III
Saturday, December 1, 2007, 1 - 6 pm Lexington, North Carolina

Circle Sanctuary Press Release: November 28, 2007
Circle Sanctuary Press Release: November 30, 2007

PFC Stephen P. Snowberger, III, was a Wiccan soldier and member of Victory Base Open Circle, sponsored by the Sacred Well Congregation. Stephen was killed in action in the war in Iraq on May 11, 2006. More about him, his life, and his service is on-line:
http://starsoffreedom.tripod.com/fallenheroesintro.htm#pfc_stephen_snowberger_iii

Stephen's marble gravestone is the latest pentacle inscribed veteran gravestone to be issued by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, and is pictured on-line:
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle/ssnowberger.htm

More about the Decade-long Veteran Pentacle Quest & Victory

Stephen's pentacle-inscribed gravestone arrived on November 6, 2007 and has been placed at his family's cemetery at the rural home of his mother, Deborah Brown, near Lexington, North Carolina. It is the first VA issued pentacle gravestone in the state.

His gravestone dedication ceremony and the social that follows is open to family, friends, veterans, those on active duty, and others who wish to respectfully honor Stephen's life, service, and sacrifice. Wiccans and Pagans of many paths as well as those of other religions will be among those taking part.

This interfaith dedication & memorial ceremony included presentations by:

  • Rev. Selena Fox (Wisconsin), Senior Minister, Circle Sanctuary
  • Rev. David Oringderff, Ph.D. (Texas & Arizona), IEC Executive Agent, Sacred Well Congregation
  • Rev. Marci Drewry (Virginia), Director of Military Affairs, Sacred Well Congregation
  • J. D. Walker (North Carolina), Vice Chancellor, House of Akasha
  • Christine Aherns (North Carolina), DFGL Bragg-Pope Open Circle at Fort Bragg
  • Holli S. Emore (South Carolina), Chair, Board of Directors, Cherry Hill Seminary
  • RavenHarte (North Carolina), High Priestess, Clann Caladvlwch & Organizer of Path of the Moon Collective
  • James Wilson (South Carolina), Leader, Gaia's Rising Columbia CUUPS
  • Lianna Costantino (North Carolina), High Priestess, Sylvan Hearth Pagan Temple; Pipecarrier, Cherokee Nation-Western Band; Strega of Padova, Italy
  • Peter Whittaker (United Kingdom), High Priest, Sylvan Hearth Pagan Temple; Priest of the Lodge of the Sacred Staves (British Druid Order)
  • and others
The ceremony included military honors, blessings by each of the ministers, a reading of Rev. Kay J. Ahl's "Keepers of The Fire" by Deborah Brown, and the placing of offerings of fresh flowers and evergreen sprigs next to the gravestone by all who attended.

Order of Service

LOCATION: The Memorial & Dedication was held at the family cemetery at the rural home of Deborah and Paul Brown, Stephen's mother and stepfather.