The Reno Gazette Journal reports that friends and family of a Nevada soldier killed over a year ago in Afghanistan, gathered today for the dedication of the first Wiccan pentacle symbol in a military cemetery. Yesterday's Las Vegas Sun gave additional details. While the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has still failed to act on requests by Wiccan families, the pentacle was placed on the Veterans Memorial Wall at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley because in September the Nevada Office of Veteran Services that has jurisdiction over the state cemetery approved the plaque. (See prior posting.) The multicultural, interfaith service for Sgt. Patrick Stewart of Fernley was scheduled to include blessings by American Indians, Jews, Christians and Wiccans.
Last Monday night, according to yesterday's Wren's Nest News, the cemetery was vandalized when someone using a high-powered rifle sprayed the cemetery's columbarium wall with bullets. Cemetery Superintendent Wes Block said he did not think that the shooting was related to the controversy surrounding Sgt. Patrick Stewart.
