Sgt. Jason A. Schumann was killed May 19, 2007 when a bomb exploded near his vehicle in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq. He is bured at Fort Snelling cemetery, where his headstone is marked with a pentacle. Sgt. Schumann was a Pagan.
The right for Pagans soldiers and veterans to have the pentacle inscribed on their headstones and memorials was one fought for very hard by Pagan communities throughout the country over the course of several years.
It was an example of such blatant religious discrimination on the VA's part that, notably, Pagans fighting for the pentacle on soldier's grave markers were also roundly supported by non-Pagans in their effort.
This issue also brought with it a realization in the community of how American Paganisms, and the people who practice it, are shifting demographically.
celebrating a hard-won right also brings with it the acknowledgment of the growing number of Pagan military folks and the sacrifices that they are making in order for this and other rights to be upheld.
clipped from: www.examiner.com 