Patrick Stewart burial controversy
Patrick D. Stewart | |
|---|---|
Sergeant Patrick Dana Stewart | |
| Born | October 21, 1970 |
| Died | September 25, 2005 (aged 34) |
| Resting place | Fernley Nevada |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Service years | 1989–2005 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Conflicts | Persian Gulf War War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart Army Achievement Medal |
Patrick Dana Stewart (October 21, 1970 – September 25, 2005) was a soldier in the United States Army. He died in combat in Afghanistan when his Chinook helicopter was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade while returning to base. Patrick Stewart was a resident of Fernley, Nevada, United States and a practicing Wiccan.
Following his death, controversy ensued over the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) initial refusal to imprint a Wiccan pentacle on his grave due to Wiccan symbols not being a previously approved "emblem of belief." A case was filed against the VA which eventually led to the VA adding the pentacle to the approved list of emblems.