As most people are no doubt aware, various groups have been fighting for YEARS (almost a decade in fact) to have a pentacle put on the headstones of our deceased veterans. Each time anyone tries to do anything about this, they run up against a stone wall. So, I got angry about it and decided to try to figure out what I could do, if anything. Step one was to get information, so I filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the National Cemetery Administration. This morning, I received a huge FedEx box with just about everything I wanted in it.
I have gone over the over 250 pages of information provided by the National Cemetery Administration as a result of my FOIA, in documents dating back to 1996. My findings are quite disturbing. During time periods when some groups were told that regulations were being promulgated, other groups' requests for Emblems of Belief were being approved. Further, some groups were granted Emblems without having filled requirements stated as necessary to other groups.
By far, the largest number of requests for an Emblem of Belief were from the Wiccan/Pagan community. Over half of the paperwork provided was from or on behalf of Wiccans or Pagans, asking for the pentacle emblem. None of them have been approved, despite the oldest having been provided in 1997, and despite all required information, as outlined in Response 2 below, having been received by the Administration. More disturbing, perhaps, is that repeated requests from one group, the Pagan Headstone Campaign, for in person meetings were denied, despite letters provided to me that referenced meetings that took place between other groups and the Administration.
In my research I found variations of three different responses that were sent as a result of inquiries regarding Emblems of Belief. They are as follows:
Response 1 - "...We are reviewing the information and expect to make a decision within the next 30 to 45 days. A decision letter will be sent to you at that time...” The one was most disturbing, as there were NO decision letters included in my FOIA request. However, there were several "memos" included in which OTHER groups who did not receive such letters stipulating this waiting period, were immediately approved.
Response 2 - "...In order for us to make a determination to include the Wiccan emblem on VA’s approved list [redacted] should provide the following information:
A Written request to include the Wiccan emblem, signed by the recognized head of the organization
A brief description of the organization, with specific information to include national officers, number of chapters, the total number of members and years of operation in the United States and affiliation with other organizations,
A 3 inch high reproducible camera-ready copy of the Wiccan emblem so that our contractors can determine if the emblem can be reproduced clearly and easily on a headstone or marker in a production-line environment...”
Response 3 - “...our response to these letters is pending until we obtain approval on new policy guidelines...” This response was provided at various times, from as far back as 1999. However, these "policy guidelines" appear to be a moving target at best, with some groups receiving preferential treatment.
Here is a breakdown of organizations and individuals (most submitted through their Senators or Congressmen) and the dates of request for the Wiccan Emblem of Belief:
The first request that I have access to was from August 27, 1997 – The Aquarian Tabernacle church of Washington, State. No response was given until November 27, 2001 which consisted of Response #1. They wrote again in December of 2003, with no response. April 22, 2005 they wrote again, still no response was provided in my FOIA request.
Temple and Lyceum of Isis Fortuna 2/99
INCLUDING all information requested in Response 2. They received Response 3 7/29/99
Nomadic chantry of the Gramarye – 9/9/04
INCLUDING all information requested in Response 2. They received Response 3 5/25/05
Church of Ancient Paths 7/22/04
Declined because they said “there is and can be, no ‘recognized head’ to the religion of Wicca.” This was the only mention of a request being declined.
Correllian Nativist Church, International 1/4/05
INCLUDING all information requested in Response 2. (This was after they specifically telephoned the National Cemetery Administration asking for the current rules regarding approval and were given the guidelines in Response 2, which were complied with to the letter.) They then received Response 3 5/25/05
Circle Sanctuary 4/8/05
INCLUDING all information requested in Response 2 [Response 3] 5/9/05
Individual requests were dated from 12/.03 until 4/05 from the following Senators and Congressmen:
Senator Grassley
Senator Leahy
Senator Inouye
Congressman Jenkins
Senator Cantwell
Senator Sarbanes
Congressman Brady
Congressman Vitter
Congressman Snyder
Congressman Case
Meantime, during this time period, symbols were approved on behalf of the following groups:
Christian and Missionary Alliance 7/02
United Church of Christ 6/13/03
Presbyterian Church, 10/9/03
Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii 3/04
Soka Gakkai Buddhist Symbol 4/21/04
Sikh Symbol 5/25/04
American Humanist Association (exact date unknown)
Muslim Star and Crescent (exact date unknown)
This has gone on long enough. The sheer number of requests from individuals and churches should have created a favorable response back in 1997 when the first request was made. Please, investigate this issue and get us some kind of resolution before another Wiccan veteran is denied the symbol of their religion after having given their lives for their country.
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Who knows if this will do any good at this point, but I'm feeling better just by trying.