Americans United Warns VA To Recognize Wiccans' Rights Or Face Litigation

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AU's Lynn Says Department of Veterans Affairs Must Recognize Religious-Liberty Rights Of All Veterans

Americans United for Separation of Church and State today warned the Department of Veterans Affairs that litigation will become unavoidable if it continues to discriminate against Wiccans by denying the right to include the Pentacle, the Wiccan emblem of belief, on government-furnished headstones, plaques, and other memorials for fallen veterans. In a letter issued today, Americans United gave the VA fourteen days to approve the Pentacle or face litigation.

Americans United represents Circle Sanctuary, a prominent Wiccan congregation, and two of its members, Roberta Stewart and Karen DePolito. Stewart’s husband, Sgt. Patrick Stewart, was killed in action a year ago in the War on Terror in Afghanistan. DePolito’s husband, Jerome Birnbaum, is a Korean War veteran who died last year.

On June 7, Americans United sent a letter to the VA insisting that the agency allow the Pentacle to be included on Sgt. Stewart’s memorial plaque at the Northern Veterans Memorial Cemetery near Fernley, Nev. Circle Sanctuary also filed applications in 2005 and earlier this year on behalf of DePolito requesting that the Pentacle be added to the list of approved emblems. On July 27, the VA responded to Americans United, claiming that the VA could not issue a decision on the Wiccan symbol because it was preparing new regulations on the process of approving emblems of belief.

Although the Nevada Office of Veterans Services announced in September that the Wiccan symbol would be inscribed on Sgt. Stewart’s plaque, the VA has remained obstinate in its refusal to recognize the Pentacle.

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