Soldiers' widows sue for pagan symbols on headstones

[Vanatru]

An interesting thread has come on the Troth main list.

Do to several of the candyasses getting their knickers in a twist last year, I won't repost the exact emails.

In essence someone brought up the topic of what should go on the gravestone of a military individual killed and buried in a national/military cemetary and what religious symbol should go on the headstone. The DOD/or VA has a select list of what is acceptable for acknowledged religions. Beign that I've deleted the original post, perhaps one of the other Troth members (yes, I know which of you are) from here can repost it. I'd appreciate it.

As one individual made note, the historical runestone image of the valkryie holding a cup would be an ideal marker. Someone else mentioned a draykar with a rider. Most others say a Thor's hammer.

This is a reborn topic from last year on the Troth list. I've noticed that much oppossition comes from those who aren't military, and never were.

So........I'm thinking...........should we current and prior service garner the civilians input on this? OR presnet to the DOD/VA what "we" think is appropriate for "our" headstones.

Personally, I could give a rat's *** on what Joe/Jane Citizen thinks is right for my headstone..........specially considering that as a soldier I have NO say in what goes on their civilian headstone.

I vote for the valkyrie or drakyar.

Or what say you?


Just my thoughts.

-Bill

[Teufelhunden]

I like your choice, I think it appropriate.
The Troth? arent they a tad Uni?
Me personally think that I will be creamated, have not figured it out yet.

You also have to think in the long run space will be at a premium of grace space, so you could be moved, built over etc, it has happened before. I would rather be returned to nature and not marked in a space, but the honor of Arlington would not suck either. In the end it is your choice, grave marker or other. I do like your idea though,
Teufelhunden

[Vanatru]

Love your avator Bro. :) My young heathen is a fan of the series (though I am displeased with Lucas's view of the germanic style Empire).


Don't get me started on the Troth...........As I literally grit my teeth, and not swear.......due to respect for the current Steersman (Demarus) a good man, I won't discuss my feelings on this group.

I think it was Brian Williams (I hope I got that right)......a smart guy........who agreed that a valkryie would be just.........since a warrior would ideally go to a warriors hall.

Personally, I like the ship...........or the rocks in the ship formation (if your not up on this, let me know, and I'll explain).

In the long run.......it doesn't matter.........it's an F*****g stone. It only matters what my family thinks of me, and my young heathens who carry on for me. Not some BS govt body or group of PC inclined candyass people.

-Bill

*edited due to fat, intoxiated, pain suppressed fingers*

[Teufelhunden]

lol I got the idea from yours :)
I remember seeing the first one in hollywood at the Chineese theater believeit or not lol.

I have talked with a few troth people only to be gravly dissapointed later on in the coversation.. ill leave it at that.

Lucas yeah it was plainly obvious that the Empire was modeled after the German structure, and yeah pretty dissapointed in the portrayal. A friend of mine had some "recruiting posters" like Join the Imperial NAVY, BE a Stormtrooper etc, they were cool :)

I would do the stones or the ship but you can not guarantee that you would even be able to do it. Would be fun getting a permit to be burnt in a ship lol... Would be worth a try. All in all you are right that it is only your family that matters, and in the end you are just another number to the Govt.

[Hengest]

The Troth has lots of Uni's but there are also some very good folkish people involved, even in official positions. Not sure why folkish people would have joined in the first place but if they are turning things around from hte inside then good luck to them.

They even gave the OR an award for its conservation work. :D

[Vanatru]

Yeah........that award didn't go over well with a certain number of Uni's........it's all politics.

I know some of the Folkish in it, they seem to think they can help change the Troth from within. Good luck, I say, though I'd be more productive arguing about Loki. :)

[TruGunny]

Heilsa all,

if I remember correctly, and I will look for the reference, there are only certain symbols allowed in NATIONAL cemtaries.... Arlington, for sure. includes the monotheistic symbols.... before I retired from the Corps, I tried to find out if there was a way around the policy, waiver process, etc., but I wasnt able to get a straight answer from anyone. surprise, surprise, surprise! as Gomer used to say. local cemetaries will probably be more open. hope this helps.

Semper Fi

[Hangatyr 13]

I'd go with a longboat. I saw a headstone made for an Odinic Rite member and I thought it was an awesome idea. It would be especially appropriate for a boatswain's mate such as myself. I also like the idea of a horse on a tombstone because it's a symbol for both war and death. I'm all about subtlety.

[Sigurd]

They even gave the OR an award for its conservation work. :D

I never knew that...! Lol, maybe the Troth has more closet Folkish than we might think!! :D

[Hangatyr 13]

I never knew that...! Lol, maybe the Troth has more closet Folkish than we might think!! :DThey're infiltrating slowly but surely.

[Lonnie]

If you don't mind working with pagans...

Pagan Headstone Campaign List (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pagan-Headstone-Campaign/)

[Midgarð Dweller]

Soldiers' widows sue for pagan symbols on headstones

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The widows of two combat veterans sued the government Monday for not allowing Wiccan symbols on their husbands' military headstones.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs allows military families to choose any of 38 authorized headstone images. The list includes commonly recognized symbols for Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism, as well as those for smaller religions such as Sufism Reoriented, Eckiankar and the Japanese faith Seicho-No-Ie.

More (http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/11/13/widows.suit.ap/index.html)

[Schwarzesonne]

I am lumping this post into the Military Gravemarkers (http://www.odinist.com/othala/showthread.php?t=2161&highlight=headstones) thread to save a bit of bandwidth.

[Hellqvist]

Quite the predicament. I may be wrong but I don't believe Canada offers any sort pagan symbols on military headstones, either. To my knowledge, they onle cater to followers of the Abrahamic religions - Jews, Christians, and Muslims - which is completely and utterly asinine. I'm with Teufelhunden on this one, though. I think I'd rather be cremated.

I quite like the look of Mjolnir, and I believe it would look quite striking on a headstone.