SUPPORT EQUAL RIGHTS FOR WICCAN FALLEN HERO

Lady Liberty League Call to Action
Special Bulletin - circulate widely

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Contact Capitol Hill to Urge Pentacle Approval by VA June 14-21, 2006

SUPPORT EQUAL RIGHTS FOR WICCAN FALLEN HERO
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle

A Flag Day to Remember and a Father Who Will Never Be Forgotten:

Sgt. Patrick Stewart and his Widow's Quest For the Pentacle

BACKGROUND

* Sgt. Patrick Stewart is a casualty of Operation Enduring Freedom
and George W. Bush's "war on terror." Sgt. Stewart put his life on
the line. He fought for freedom. He died serving our country.

* Sgt. Patrick Stewart was shot down in a US Chinook helicopter on
September 25, 2005. He was only 34 years old. He was not just a
soldier. He was a beloved son, a husband, and a father of two
beautiful children.

* Sgt. Stewart wore military issued dog tags that identified his
religion: Wiccan. When his widow, Roberta Stewart, asked the US
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to place the Wiccan religious
emblem on his memorial plaque, she was told the Pentacle was not on
the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) list of 38 religious
emblems and could not be included.

* A recent survey found that a mere 28 percent, that's only about
one in four Americans, know their First Amendment rights. In the
event the top officials at the US Department of Veterans Affairs are
among the 72 percent who don't know the rights guaranteed by the
First Amendment, it is time for a refresher course:

* Mr. President, VA Secretary James Nicholson, Under Secretary for
Memorial Affairs and head of the NCA William Tuerk, "We The People"
would like to remind you that Freedom of Religion is protected under
the First Amendment!

* President Bush signed "The Respect for Fallen Heroes Act" on
Memorial Day, May 29, 2006. Yet neither President Bush nor the VA
officials he appointed have shown their respect for this young
father, husband, and fallen soldier.

* Nine months have passed since Patrick Stewart died for his
country -- but there is still no government-issued Memorial plaque
for him on the Wall of Heroes at the Northern Nevada Veterans
Memorial Cemetery. His space remains blank.

* This Sunday, June 18, 2006, will be the first Father's Day his
children will spend without their Dad. His grieving wife and family
will be visiting the Wall of Heroes where Sgt. Stewart's memorial
plaque with Pentacle should be. It continues to be blank and without
the plaque because the VA continues its 9 year pattern of
discrimination against the Wiccan religion and its emblem of belief.

* Beginning Flag Day, June 14, 2006, through Father's Day and until
sundown on the first day of Summer, June 21, join others in this
special nationwide call to the US Department of Veterans Affairs to
approve without further delay the addition of the Pentacle to its
list of emblems of belief.

* Join others to raise a call for Religious Freedom for All to our
elected officials on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Write and FAX
letters to your US Senators and Representatives. Ask them to launch
a Congressional investigation into the conduct of the US Department
of Veterans Affairs regarding their on-going discrimination against
the Wiccan religion and its emblem of belief. Ask your Senators and
Congressperson to call, fax, and send letters to the VA demanding
the approval of the Pentacle for use on government issued
headstones, markers, and plaques for deceased veterans.

* The VA's failure to honor a dead soldier's freedom of religion is
an insult -- and it is symbolic of the disintegration of our
Constitutional rights.

* Do not give up your right to Freedom of Religion without a fight.
Sgt. Patrick Stewart deserves the same respect any of us would
expect if we ourselves or our loved ones were killed in an act of
war, especially while fighting for freedom and justice for all.

JOIN THIS ACTION:

From June 14-21, 2006, write a letter & Fax it to your elected
officials on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC:

* Fax your US Congressional Representative.
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials/?lvl=L

* Fax the US Senators that represent your state:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

* Follow up your letter with phone calls to your Congressperson &
Senators.

* Send Lady Liberty League a copy of your letter for our files --
send by postal mail (Pentacle Quest, LLL, Circle, PO Box 9,
Barneveld, WI 53507 USA) or email us: liberty@circlesanctuary.org

* Send LLL by postal mail a copy of any responses you receive.

* PLEASE help get the word out about this action to others.

LETTER WRITING POINTERS:

* Write the letter in your own words, rather than copy a letter
written by someone else.

* Fax or send your letter by postal mail -- don't email. In print
letters receive more attention.

* In your letter, state that you are a constituent and voter.

* It is not necessary to state your religion in writing, unless you
wish to do so.

* State that you want the Congressperson/Senator to launch a
Congressional investigation into why after 9 years and multiple
applications, the VA has failed to uphold the US Constitution by not
adding the Pentacle to its emblems of belief list.

* State your outrage with the failure of the VA to give Sgt. Patrick
Stewart and other deceased Wiccan veterans their due.

* Some points to consider including in your letter are listed in the
Call to the VA to approve the Pentacle NOW:
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle/calltova.htm

* More background information is on-line -- if you wish, include
this resource page URL in your letter:
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle