Wiccan widow receives apology from President Bush for lack of invitation

Fernley resident Roberta Stewart, widow of Wiccan soldier Sgt. Patrick Stewart, received an apology from President Bush Thursday morning for not being invited to meet with him during a recent visit by the president to Reno.

Stewart received a message from White House staff Thursday morning asking her to return a call from President Bush. After receiving the message, Stewart said she called the White House and was patched directly to the president.

During a seven-minute phone conversation, the president extended his apologies for all Stewart’s grief over nearly two years since her husband Sgt. Patrick Stewart’s death in Afghanistan in September 2005.

Bush asked Stewart to accept his apology for the oversight, she said. Bush said he admired Stewart hoped they would meet someday.

He seemed truly sincere as he apologized, she said, accepting his apology.

“I am happy that I was able to speak with him and hope that now I can truly move forward and close this chapter,” said Stewart.