In 2006, if you were to observe the wall of brass plaques at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, you would not find one for Patrick Stewart, the first Wiccan to be killed in combat. Instead, a vacant spot awaited. This omission occurred because the Department of Veterans Affairs had not yet approved the pentacle as a grave marker for deceased U.S. soldiers. During this period, they had accepted symbols from 38 other faiths, including the Muslim crescent, the Mormon angel, and the Bahai’s nine-pointed star, among others.
Stewart was 34 years old and served in the Nevada National Guard when the helicopter he was aboard was downed in Afghanistan. He also participated in Operation Desert Storm and served in the Army in Korea. Following his death, he received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Patrick Stewart was a U.S. soldier and a hero who fought for the Constitution of the United States, embracing his spirituality and proudly identifying as a Wiccan.
By 2007, a year after his death, the Department of Veteran Affairs changed its stance and agreed to include the Wiccan pentacle in the list of sanctioned religious symbols that could be engraved on military headstones. They recognized Wicca as a belief system that respects nature and its natural rhythms. The petition also highlighted that there were around 1,800 Wiccans within the Air Force! “I was shocked that someone who would fight and die for their country would be denied the symbol they desired on their gravestone,” stated John W. Whitehead, an attorney involved in numerous First Amendment cases. “It’s a clear case of religious discrimination.”
Wicca stands as one of the fastest-growing religions in the United States, second only to Islam. Since 2001, the number of Wiccans surged from 8,000 in 1990 to approximately 134,000. This marks a substantial growth of 143 percent! By 2013, the total reached 200,000 registered Wiccan practitioners, with an impressive 8 million unregistered followers. As of 2013, military Wiccans are permitted to don uniforms and accessories that represent their beliefs, provided it does not disrupt order and discipline.
Despite their increasing numbers and growing acceptance within various institutions, many Wiccans continue to face challenges when expressing their beliefs, often encountering criticism and exclusion.
At the Moonlight Family, we offer a welcoming space for you to express your true self and explore ways to embrace your identity. We’ve made significant progress since Patrick Stewart’s time, but there remains a journey of learning and growth ahead of us.
Awesome news – every soldier should be able to have their religion, faith walk or spirituality shown on their gravestone, should they be killed in the line of duty. My condolences to his family and kudos to the Dept of Veterans Affairs for doing the right thing!
Fascinating story. I guess I never really paid attention to what was going on what with all the religions feeling bashed and bruised. Wiccans just don’t whine as loud, apparently. Thanks for sharing this news.
My son is a practicing Pagan, and has been ever since before he joined the Army. The entire time of his service he has been open about his beliefs and has had no trouble from anyone in the ARMY. I am glad that the solders have been honored finally and am glad to see that the Army at least shows some respect for our Religion.
i still have problems here with army and air force being pagan. there is still a fight ahead
Religious tolerance is a taboo topic in some areas of the United states. For example your southern states also know as the bible belt. I am in great support believes are what make people tick. I feel the practice I believe what I believe I don’t force it upon others. That was a big step in the right direction to be able to even in death he help pathed away for others to be proud.Thank you to the family for making a stand.Thank you for looking out for the gentle men and making a difference.
Having been a Wiccan since about age of 16 and having heard this story when it first broke in the community, and also as one who shares the family name of Stewart, I thank you for reminding us all of the significant importance of this to our community and country as well as a pause to remember SGT. Stewart for serving his country and our Constitution for Freedom of Religion.. I had to share the post.. I deemed only proper.. Thank you ..
I am 15 years old and live in Alabama, possibly the most notorious state in the Bible Belt. My pagan friends and I cannot wear our pentacles or other religious items outside of our houses for fear of being labeled as “devil worshippers”. I live in a state where there are about two churches on every street, and half of my classmates and teachers wear crosses and hold lengthy religious conversations. I haven’t even told my father of my faith since he screamed at my brother for being atheist, and is constantly telling me I need to go to church more often. My mother, when I told her, laughed at my face telling me that I was just doing this because of all the fantasy shows that I watch. Despite our laws, do we truly have religious freedom?