Pagan Headstone Campaign
Recently it has come to my attention that, while there are thirty-two (32) different religious symbols allowed on veterans' headstones, mine will have to remain bare. If members of religious organizations with as few members in the US military as The Aaronic Order, The Native American Church, Baha'i, Konko-Kyo, Sufism, Tenrikyo, Seicho-no-ie, The Church of World Messianity, the Moravian Church and Enkankar are entitled to religious, why, may I ask, are not Wiccans entitled to our religious symbol, the Pentagram?
Support the campaign the pressure the Department of Veterans Affairs to authorize a 33rd headstone symbol, a Pentacle so that Pagan veterans can be buried under a headstone that shows their religion rather than a blank stone.
Other groups owners/webmasters, please note that copyright has been waived and we encourage you to reproduce the Pagan Headstone Campaign information on your forum/site.
Press Release
FROM: Charles P. Arnold, HP
TO: The New York Times, the Washington Post, The Associated Press, Witchvox.com, The Wiccan Pagan Times, The Aquarian Tabernacle Church, The Pagan Federation US, and 83 lists to which I belong
SUBJECT: Equality for American Pagan Veterans Campaign FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A letter has just been released to the hundreds of thousands of American Pagans across the country asking them to pressure their congressional representative to approach the Veterans Administration. The complaint is that, despite 32 different religious symbols available for headstones in veterans cemeteries, the Pagans symbol, the pentagram, is not included. The upshot of this is not only that Veterans Affairs will not provide a free headstone but families are not even allowed to purchase their own headstone and have it placed in a VA cemetery.
This is an aggressive letter writing campaign not only asking representatives to object to this practice but demanding that representatives report back to letter writers, informing them of what steps have been taken and where the matter stand.
Paganism, a growing religious movement in the United States, claims at least a million members in the United States. The US Military Chaplains Manual recognized Paganism and its various branches well over ten years ago and the practice of the faith within the military has sparked discussion at the highest levels.
The text of the letter is as follows:
I ask that you copy this letter and send it to your congressional representative as well as your senators.
Madam or Sir:
It has come to my attention that, while there are thirty-two (32) different religious symbols allowed on veterans' headstones, my religion is completely unrepresented and its military members will be buried with a blank headstone unless this situation changes. If members of religious organizations with as few members in the US military as The Aaronic Order, The Native American Church, Baha'i, Konko-Kyo, Sufism, Tenrikyo, Seicho-no-ie, The Church of World Messianity, the Moravian Church and Enkankar are entitled to religious, why, may I ask, are not Wiccans entitled to our religious symbol, the Pentagram?
I am writing you to protest this situation and to ask that you not only bring this situation to the attention of the Secretary of Veteran's Affairs but that you actively pursue this matter until this humiliating situation is remedied.
Please respond to this message by informing me what actions you have taken in this matter.
Signed
