A plaque honoring a deceased Fernley soldier bearing a Wiccan symbol for placement at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery has been approved, according to a press release from the Nevada Office of Veterans Services.

Though the state has approved a plaque with a pentacle on it to honor Nevada National Guard Sgt. Patrick Stewart on the cemetery's memorial wall, his widow and a Wiccan organization have vowed to have the symbol approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C., for use in its cemeteries.

"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," said Tim Tetz, executive director of the Nevada Office of Veterans Services, in the press release.

Although the pentacle has not yet been approved by the VA, the state made its decision based on research indicating it had authority to make decisions regarding the Fernley veterans cemetery, Tetz said.

"We don't have the authority or process to approve the symbol at the state level," said Tetz in an e-mail to the Lahontan Valley News. "We have the opportunity and responsibility to manage and control the operations of the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In doing that, we must do everything in our power to respect the wishes and desires of America's heroes of today and yesterday."

The decision to place the plaque was made after consultation with the state attorney general's office, according to the release.

The effort to have the pentacle recognized as a religious symbol on military markers began shortly after Stewart's Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan Sept. 25, 2005, said his widow, Roberta Stewart, of Fernley.

"We were told that his emblem was not an approved symbol and an application to get it approved needed to be filed," said Stewart. "This request has been going on with the VA and the Wiccan religion for nine years."

The plaque will be placed beside another honoring his former crewmate, Chief Warrant Officer John Flynn, according to the press release. The installation date has not been finalized.

Stewart said she met with officials early Wednesday to proof the plaque and completed a letter to Tetz telling of her family's gratitude.

The application process to get the pentacle approved has been completed multiple times over a nine-year period with continuous delay by the VA, said Rev. Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary, a Wisconsin-based Wiccan organization.

"I am so thankful that the state of Nevada and the governor's office recognized the priority of Sgt. Stewart's sacrifice and the foundation of this country, the Constitution, and did the right thing," said Fox.

Fox said she is extremely disappointed that the VA has continued what she alleges is a pattern of disregard, delay and discrimination against the Wiccan religion, Wiccan veterans and their families.

There are many other Wiccan veterans, deceased and living, who deserve the right to have the pentacle on their memorial markers, plaques or headstones, she said.

Brig. Gen Cindy Kirkland, adjutant general of the Nevada National Guard, praised the state's decision.

"We are proud of the combat service of every Nevada National Guardsman, and I am pleased we are able to recognize Sgt. Stewart's sacrifice and the ideals for which he stood," she said in the press release.

Stewart said she was grateful to her state and happy it is honoring her husband. However, she said her involvement with the issue will not end.

"I will continue my quest so that no other widow will have to go through what I and my family have had to go through," she said.

A candlelight vigil in memory of Stewart is planned for sunset on Sept. 25 at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley.

Viktoria Pearson can be contacted at vpearson@lahontanvalleynews.com