MSNBC is reporting that the Veterans Administration has agreed to a settlement with Americans United for Separation of Church and State that will allow Pentacles to be placed on the headstones for Wiccan and other pagan soldiers. The settlement stipulates that the symbol is to be placed on markers within 14 days for those having pending requests with the VA. The symbol will be added to the approved religious symbol list along with 38 others previously approved. Links to the MSNBC story and the Americans United statement below the fold.
Link to article at MSNBC
Americans United statement
As a pagan who has followed this story from it inception, I have to say it is about bloody damn time.
For those who haven't followed closely, or don't know the particulars, this is the link to a statement released by Roberta Stewart, wife of Sgt. Patrick Stewart, who's case was the impetus behind this settlement:
Roberta Stewart's statement
Suffice it to say that this is a great day for all who believe in religious freedom and religious equality, and that all of the fallen shall be honored as appropriate.