Symbol

A Tribute to Sergeant Patrick Stewart

For those of you who haven't heard the story of Sergeant Patrick Stewart, he was an American serviceman who died in Afghanistan when the helicopter he was in was shot down. Sergeant Stewart was a follower of Wicca. His widow sought a pentacle to be placed on his tombstone in his memory, but the Department of Veterans' Affairs refused, stating that it wasn't one of the "approved symbols" for government-furnished tombstones. While Christians can have their crucifix, Jews their Star of David and Muslims their crescent moon, Sergeant Stewart is not afforded the right to have the symbol of his faith on his tombstone. He gave his life fighting for his country, and in return they won't even afford him a pentacle on his tombstone.

Singer/songwriter Celia has released a song called "Symbol". The money she raises from sales of this song will be going to the Lady Liberty League that is fighting for Sergeant Stewart's pentacle to be placed on his tombstone. Aside from where the money is going, I personally think this awesome song conveys a very important message and I'm happy to do what I can to help promote it. You can hear a sample of the song at Celia's website. Please visit Celia's site and check out her song and her webpage. Following are the lyrics to "Symbol".

Thank you to Celia who gave permission for this information to be published here.

“Symbol”
By Celia   www.celiaonline.com
©2006 Red Granite Goddess Publishing

An American Soldier Came home today,
Wrapped up as cargo in an American Flag.
He asked for one sweet, silent symbol on his Grave.
But the Pentagon Said “Sorry Son, Request denied”.

He served as any other with his hands and with his heart.
He prayed to Father Sky, bowed Down to Mother Earth.
He honoured Air and Water and the Fire he danced around.
But you didn't honour him before you put him in the Ground.

Chorus:

It's a Symbol it's a Sign it stands for Everything Divine.
Excuse me Sir, I think you're wrong, I checked and the last time
I read the doctrine it said practicing your faith is not a crime.
So let this soldier rest………Honour his request.
(So, if you make these children pray…Let them do it their own way)
(So, Let his widow rest……Honour her request)

You sent that little girl crying home from school.
Told her she was evil and she disobeyed the rules.
You took away her pendant.  Grandmother's Gift.
But the other kids are free to wear their Crucifix.

And she knows that if you catch her that you'll have her expelled.
She's frightened every member of her family is  going to hell.
She's all messed up she's five years old...she doesn't know her rights.
But her Daddy is a Lawyer so get ready for the fight.

Chorus

He's a believer so he wears it on his arm. 
First day, new job he set off all the alarms.
The memo spread like wildfire that the devil had arrived.
And the virus got to corporate and they fired him by five. 

Now all this misperception and everyone runs scared.
Scared of the neighbours and Scared to declare.
'Cuz the persecutions high Expelled, or Fired or Denied.
So what the Hell did our Ancestors fight so hard for?

Chorus

So raise up your chisel and carve next to his name.
All that he held sacred and all that kept him sane.
When you sent him off to war you didn't care what he believed.
Now he served you with his blood grant him his dignity.

Freedom of Speech. Freedom of Faith. Freedom of Religion.
Freedom to Stand up and Fight For What We Believe in.
Freedom to Die for your Country and Be Recognized
With a Symbol of Honour in your Country's Eyes.