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Article Specs
VxAcct: 274794
Article ID: 11868
Section: military
Age Group: Adult
Posted: July 1st. 2007
Views: 6460 |
Historic Headstone Dedication at Arlington National Cemetery for Wiccan Priestess on the 4th of July
by Paula Johnson
On July 4th 2007, America's first VA-issued interfaith headstone containing both a Wiccan Pentacle and a Christian Cross will be dedicated at Arlington National Cemetery in a national interfaith memorial service for Wiccan priestess Jan Deanna O'Rourke of Florida.
Pagans, Christians, and those of other religions and belief systems from across the nation will be present for this historic event, which commemorates Jan's life and the interfaith coalition that helped achieve the Veteran Pentacle Quest victory.
More details on the Quest can be found at: http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle/4jul07dedication.htm
Jan, a Wiccan High Priestess of the Middle Earth tradition, was beloved not only among Pagans in Florida where she lived, but in the larger realm of society. She dedicated her life to service. As a successful businesswoman, she contributed to many charities and was the recipient of numerous awards, including "Big Sister of the Year." Each Yuletide, she would help a different family in need by taking family members on a shopping spree. She continued this even after Hurricane Charley destroyed her own home.
In addition, Jan demonstrated her dedication to America and its Freedoms through her work as a member of the Florida State Democratic Committee. Jan also was active in interfaith work and helped build bridges of understanding among practitioners of the world's religions.
LAST WISH
On February 16, 2005, Jan Deanna O'Rourke expressed what turned out to be her last wish in this life. She wrote an email saying, "At this point if I was to die tomorrow I would be eligible for a Wiccan service, just no Pentacle on my headstone. Hopefully this will be changed before my demise."
Jan O'Rourke died 8 days later on February 24, 2005.
When Jan first approached me prior to her unexpected death and asked for me to help her figure out how to submit an application to get the Pentacle approved as a religious emblem for use on headstones and markers in veterans cemeteries, I did not hesitate to give her my promise that I would help and that we would succeed. At that point in time I had not realized that many Wiccan organizations had unsuccessfully applied numerous times over the last 9 years with no success.
All throughout my secular Jewish upbringing I was aware of discrimination and prejudice and yet it had never once occurred to me that there were people in this country who were being denied their civil rights this blatantly.
I became a Wiccan Priestess in my mid-thirties and quickly learned what it was like to go from one minority religion to another that was even more marginalized than the one of my birth.
For two years Jan's final wish went unfulfilled. However, shortly after Jan's death, I joined the efforts of Rev. Selena Fox, Senior Minister of Circle Sanctuary, as a member of the Lady Liberty League Veteran Pentacle Quest Team. For over two years, we were among those working to get the Pentacle, the religious emblem of the Wiccan religion authorized by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for use on headstones, markers and memorial plaques it issues to honor deceased veterans.
As I became aware of soldiers fighting in wars present and veterans who fought in wars past, dying without the right to have the Pentacle on their headstone, I became even more committed to keeping my promise to Jan. I began to understand the bigger picture. I saw the suffering of widows, children, and other family members as the government forced them to fight for their first amendment rights to religious freedom and free speech after their loved ones had sacrificed their lives in the name of democracy and freedom.
I knew that Jan would want me to fight for the constitution on her behalf and I felt her presence guide my steps.
Jan's remains continued to lie in the hallowed ground of Arlington National Cemetery beside her beloved husband, veteran Captain William O'Rourke. The headstone that marked their burial site contained only the Christian cross on her husband's side of the marker. The emblem part of Jan's side was blank, with no pentacle.
As a result of the settlement of the federal religious discrimination lawsuit brought by Americans United for Separation of Church and State on behalf of Circle Sanctuary and others, the pentacle was finally added to the VA's list of authorized emblems, and VA-issued memorial markers with pentacles began being produced and installed at a public and private cemeteries across the nation.
For additional details on the Veterans Pentacle Quest victory see:
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uswi and c=military and id=11743
A replacement headstone engraved with both a pentacle and cross for Jan and her husband arrived at Arlington National Cemetery on Beltane, May 1st, 2007. The headstone was installed that day. It was one of the first four VA issued markers inscribed with pentacles.
Jan's headstone is also the first VA-issued interfaith headstone in the history of the United States to be engraved with both the Christian Cross and Wiccan Pentacle.
Less than one year before her death, Jan Deanna O'Rourke spoke at an Interfaith and Religious Freedom Day and said, "I am but one person, but as Americans we are many, and we will not tolerate religious persecution in the United States of America. Not in my City, Not in my State, And not in my Country!
HEADSTONE DEDICATION and MEMORIAL
Jan's Memorial Service and Headstone Dedication will be held at her and her husband's gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery. The Dedication will begin with a Welcome at 9:00 am and will include an overview of the service and the signing of a book of remembrance. The Memorial ceremony itself will begin at 9:30 am and will include remarks, readings, meditation, chanting, and the laying of fresh cut flowers at the base of the newly installed pentacle-cross headstone.
The Memorial is open to the public, including the media. Please bring one or more cut flowers, preferably colored red, white, and/or blue. Please arrive no later than 9:15 am. Veterans and those on active duty are welcome to come in uniform and/or dress hats.
Rev. Selena Fox, Senior Minister and High Priestess of Circle Sanctuary will conduct Jan's Independence Day interfaith headstone dedication and memorial service. Joining her will be United Church of Christ minister Rev. Barry Lynn, who also is Executive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Also assisting will be Margot Adler, Wiccan author and priestess; Marci Drewy, Director of Military Affairs for the Sacred Well Congregation; Michael Akins, Executive Director of Military Pagan Network; and Kathryn Fuller, High Priestess of Circle of the Wildewood and former National First Officer of Covenant of the Goddess. Several members of the Wiccan/Pagan veterans association, the Order of the Pentacle, will be present, including David and Janet Ewing (Virginia), Debby Morris and Suzanne Krall (Maryland , and Captain Richard Briggs and April Brennan (New Jersey). It is my honor to contribute Jan's eulogy.
I know Jan would be grateful to all that supported the Quest and in doing so played an important role in upholding the constitution for all faiths.
I still have an email from Jan that best reflects her easygoing and loving spirit. I was going through a difficult custody trial in which my ex-husband attempted to sever my parental rights, alleging that Wicca was harmful and abusive to children. One day I found a check in my mailbox from Jan. It arrived at a time when I desperately needed money to pay for depositions, and my parental rights were at stake. In response to my thank you note Jan wrote,
"The Goddess has blessed me with abundance, the more I share, the more I receive. My extended Wiccan family is my family. I was very glad that I was in a position to help at this time. You are an inspiration to the entire Wiccan community, and to me, as we live the way of our belief. Deeds, not creeds.
Blessings Dearest; Hope to see you again soon!
Your Friend,
Jan"
As I prepare for your memorial, Jan, my dearest friend, know that you have been an inspiration to me. I continue to follow your example as closely as I can, remembering your words "deeds not creeds". On July 4th, those of many faiths will gather at Arlington National Cemetery in your honor.
Blessings Dearest; I too hope to see you again soon.
© 2007 Paula Johnson
July 4, 2007
Arlington National Cemetery
Plot location 60 7491
9:00 am - Welcome, Introductions, Book of Remembrance Signing
9:15 am - Overview of service and its historical significance
9:30 am - 10:30 am - Memorial Service and Headstone Dedication
Arlington, Virginia is across the Potomac River bordering Washington, DC.
Directions to Arlington National Cemetery
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/directions.html
Visitor Information for Arlington National Cemetery
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/visitor_information/index.htm
History of Arlington National Cemetery
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/historical_information/index.html
History of the Veteran Pentacle Quest
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle
http://www.au.org
Please RSVP if you plan to attend this event. For more info and/or to RSVP, contact:
Paula Johnson, Media Relations Liaison, Lady Liberty League
paulabethjohnson@comcast.net
Cell: 954-471-1435
Circle Sanctuary and Lady Liberty League
PO Box 9, Barneveld, WI 53507 USA
Phone: (608) 924-2216
Fax: (608) 924-5961
http://www.circlesanctuary.org
Footnotes:
More details on the Pentacle Quest can be found at: http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle/4jul07dedication.htm
For additional details on the Veterans Pentacle Quest victory see:
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uswi and c=military and id=11743
Directions to Arlington National Cemetery
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/directions.html
Visitor Information for Arlington National Cemetery
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/visitor_information/index.htm
History of Arlington National Cemetery
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/historical_information/index.html
History of the Veteran Pentacle Quest
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle
http://www.au.org
Copyright: (c) 2007 Paula Johnson
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