It took nearly a decade and the combined efforts of many, including Americans United for Separation of Church and State, but in 2007 the Pentacle, symbol of the Wiccan religion, was added to the US Department of Veterans Affairs list of emblems of belief that can be included on government-issued markers, headstones, and plaques honoring deceased veterans.
There are now more than 200 VA-issued memorial markers with Pentacles at public & private cemeteries across the nation, including 9 at Circle Cemetery, national Pagan cemetery at Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve.
As a result of the Veteran Pentacle Quest Success in 2007, the US Department of Veterans Affairs revised its procedures for getting additional symbols authorized for inclusion on grave markers it issues, and over 30 more symbols were added, including the Hammer of Thor (#55) for Heathens and the Awen (#65) for Druids. For more info, visit the National Cemetery Administration website: https://www.cem.va.gov/hmm/emblems.asp
10th Anniversary Celebration on 4/23/2017
CIRCLE Magazine articles:
Fall 2007 - Success in the Veteran Pentacle Quest!
Winter 2007 - Veteran Pentacle Quest Success Update
Statements From Americans United for Separation of Church & State:
Veterans Affairs Department Must Accommodate Wiccan Symbol on Memorial Markers
Press Release, June 8, 2006
Americans United Presses VA for Right of Wiccans to Use Pentacle Symbol at Military Memorials
Press Release, August 3, 2006
Pentacle Quest
Church & State, December 2006
Bush Administration Agrees to Approve Wiccan Pentacle for Veteran Memorials
Press Release, April 23, 2007
Pentacle Quest Success
Church & State, June 2007
Sampling of Other News Reports
Wiccans dedicate grave at Arlington
Stars & Stripes, July 5, 2007
Wiccans win right to put emblem on Veterans' Graves
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 26, 2007
Wiccan War Widows Win Their Sacred Burial Markers
Womens Enews, April 29, 2007
Wiccan Pentacle is OKd for Vet's Graves
Los Angeles Times, April 24, 2007
Feds Okay Pentagrams for Veterans' Graves
New York Sun, April 24, 2007
VA Allows Wiccan Symbol on Headstones
Military.com, April 24, 2007
Wiccans get grave marker symbol
Army Times, April 23, 2007
Wiccan Pentacle Added to Emblems Allowed on Headstones
Fox News, April 23, 2007
Widows Sue to Get Wiccan symbols on Veterans' Headstones
USA Today, November 14, 2006
Use of Wiccan Symbol on Veterans' Headstones Is Approved
New York Times, April 23, 2007
 |
 |
 |
| Sgt. Patrick Stewart Circle Cemetery |
Jerome Birnbaum Circle Cemetery |
A. Douglas Wilkey Circle Cemetery |
 |
 |
 |
| Abe Kooiman Arlington Nat'l Cemetery |
Jan O'Rourke Arlington Nat'l Cemetery |
John P. Graff Arlington Nat'l Cemetery |
 |
 |
 |
| Harold and Betty Hecht Riverside National Cemetery Riverside, California |
Stephen Paul Snowberger III North Carolina |
Jason A. Schumann Fort Snelling, MN |
 |
 |
|
| Thomas E. Hufford (Balu) Arlington Nat'l Cemetery |
Pedro Gonzalez Fort Indiantown Gap National Military Cemetary |
Summary Reports by Rev. Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary
- The Story of the Veteran Pentacle Quest: July 1997- August 2007
- Success in the Veteran Pentacle Quest!: Published in Fall 2007 Circle Magazine
- One Year of Veteran Pentacle Grave Markers: May 2008
Background on the Pentacle Quest
Settlement Agreement (.pdf)
Read the legal agreement ending the lawsuit and placing the Pentacle on the list
About Sgt. Patrick Stewart and His Plaque
Meet Sgt. Patrick Stewart and his widow, Roberta