Plaque for Wiccan soldier approved

FERNLEY, Nev., Sept. 15 (UPI) -- The Nevada Office of Veterans' Services said a plaque honoring a Wiccan soldier has been approved for the Veterans' Memorial Wall in Fernley, Nev.

The display of the plaque honoring Nevada National Guard Sgt. Patrick Stewart, who died in an Afghanistan helicopter crash in September 2005, had been delayed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which has been considering a request for the approved a Wiccan religious symbol for use on military headstones and markers, the Nevada office said.

However, the Nevada Attorney General's office had advised the Nevada Office of Veterans' Services that it had sole discretion over state veteran cemeteries, the office said.

Tim Tetz, executive director of the Nevada Office of Veterans Services, said, "I promised his widow and many others that we would diligently pursue every option to make certain Sgt. Stewart received recognition for his contributions as an Army soldier, a Nevadan and an American hero."

Stewart's plaque will be placed alongside a memorial to his former crewmate, Chief Warrant Officer John Flynn.