Memorial Day 2007
Widows of Wiccan Veterans to Dedicate Gravestones with Pentacles on
Memorial Day near Barneveld, Wisconsin USA
On this day of national remembrance the story of three Wiccan widows
and a
Pentacle etched in stone is being told all over the world. Three
widows,
all members of Circle Sanctuary have gathered at church headquarters
this
weekend, and are reflecting upon their husbands, their lives, their
deaths,
and equal rights for the Wiccan religion.
*”Now that I’ve seen Jerome’s burial site up close, I’m starting to
really
feel the accomplishment we’ve made. I’m very pleased with the
gravestone
at the Circle Cemetery site, and I believe he is as well.”
Karen DePolito of Utah
widow of Jerome Birnbaum, Korean War Veteran
*”Douglas was Wiccan as long as he could remember. Having a pentacle
on
his gravestone and being recognized for who he is means the world to
both
of us. His remains are now at peace in their new home at Circle
Cemetery.
He fought for Freedom for twenty-four years and now, finally he is
Free.”
Sandra Wilkey of Kentucky
widow of Douglas Wilkey, Korean War & Vietnam War Veteran
*”Today is a great day, not only for myself, but for other Wiccan
families.
This Memorial Day at last I am having closure. Our fight for religious
freedom is over, and my husband, Sgt. Patrick Stewart can rest in
peace.
For the first time since Patrick’s death, I don’t feel as if he died in
vain. May all our soldiers be blessed and remembered on this very
special
Memorial Day.
Roberta Stewart of Nevada
widow of Sgt. Patrick Stewart, Desert Storm Veteran &
Killed in Action in Operation Enduring Freedom
Reflections on the Memorial Day Wiccan Veteran Gravestone Dedication by
Rev. Selena Fox, who will be facilitating the ceremony. She is Senior
Minister of Circle Sanctuary and Executive Director of Circle Cemetery,
Wisconsin’s first conservation cemetery.
*This Memorial Day, we gather to remember and honor the lives and
service
of our veterans who have died and to dedicate their newly issued VA
gravestones with pentacles. We gather to support their widows in
finally
bringing closure to marking the sites of their husband’s remains at our
church cemetery. We also gather to celebrate our victory in upholding
religious freedom — and to envision, pray and work for a world with
liberty and justice for all.
Wiccans, Christians, and those of other faiths from Wisconsin, Ohio,
Nevada, Minnesota, Michigan, Utah, Illinois, Kentucky, and elsewhere
across the nation are traveling to Barneveld, Wisconsin to take part in
the nation’s first Memorial Day Dedication of Wiccan veteran
gravestones
with pentacles.
On Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, the church will be open for arrivals
at
9:30am. A press briefing will be held 10-10:30am. The Dedication will
be
held 11am-12:30pm and will be followed by a reception from 1-4 pm.
