Roberta Stewart has chosen a national church-state watchdog group to help her get the Wiccan emblem recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Since her husband’s death Sept. 25, when his Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan, the Fernley resident has sought a memorial plaque that recognizes her husband’s religion.
Stewart said her personal experience with the VA and knowing that Wiccans have been requesting approval for an emblem since 1997 has prompted her decision to seek assistance from the Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The Washington, D.C.-based organization litigates religious freedom cases.
“We’re coming up on a year anniversary for my husband’s death and still don’t have a plaque,” Stewart said. “I feel that this is a stronger, more forceful stonewalling. It could be years before my husband has a plaque.”
A lawyer for the Americans United for Separation of Church and State said the group are working with legislators on Roberta’s behalf and also is looking at litigation strategies.
“This is an incredibly important issue about religious freedom,” said Richard Katskee, assistant legal director. “This is a case where the U.S. is playing favorites among religious groups. People of all faiths deserve to be treated the same way by the government.”
Tags: church-state group, Dep. of Veterans Affairs, religious freedom, Roberta Stewart, Wiccan
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