Hammer Project: Military Religious Rights
We the undersigned understand that most often it isn't until a soldier or veteran dies and the family makes the request that a new symbol is taken under consideration. However no man or woman who is willing to lay down their life for this country and it's citizens should ever have to go into harms way not knowing whether or not the symbol of their belief will be allowed on their headstone.
We also understand that the Asatru Folk Assembly, an IRS recognized 501(c)3 organization, has requested that Thor's Hammer, Mjolnir, be added to the list of approved emblems for use on government provided headstones.
There are Asatru followers who are right now in Iraq and Afghanistan and others that will be deployed shortly. They and their families deserve to know that if they should be killed Thor's Hammer will be allowed upon their Dept of Veterans Affairs provided headstone.
It took eight years and a court battle after the death of a Wiccan soldier before the Pentacle was added. That shouldn't happen to any soldiers grave.
No Christian goes into battle without knowing that a cross, of their choice, will be on their government provided headstone. We are asking that one symbol, Thor's Hammer, of the Asatru faith to be added to the approved list.
Thank you for your time,
We the undersigned understand that most often it isn't until a soldier or veteran dies and the family makes the request that a new symbol is taken under consideration. However no man or woman who is willing to lay down their life for this country and it's citizens should ever have to go into harms way not knowing whether or not the symbol of their belief will be allowed on their headstone.
We also understand that the Asatru Folk Assembly, an IRS recognized 501(c)3 organization, has requested that Thor's Hammer, Mjolnir, be added to the list of approved emblems for use on government provided headstones.
There are Asatru followers who are right now in Iraq and Afghanistan and others that will be deployed shortly. They and their families deserve to know that if they should be killed Thor's Hammer will be allowed upon their Dept of Veterans Affairs provided headstone.
It took eight years and a court battle after the death of a Wiccan soldier before the Pentacle was added. That shouldn't happen to any soldiers grave.
No Christian goes into battle without knowing that a cross, of their choice, will be on their government provided headstone. We are asking that one symbol, Thor's Hammer, of the Asatru faith to be added to the approved list.
Thank you for your time,
We the undersigned understand that most often it isn't until a soldier or veteran dies and the family makes the request that a new symbol is taken under consideration. However no man or woman who is willing to lay down their life for this country and it's citizens should ever have to go into harms way not knowing whether or not the symbol of their belief will be allowed on their headstone.
We also understand that the Asatru Folk Assembly, an IRS recognized 501(c)3 organization, has requested that Thor's Hammer, Mjolnir, be added to the list of approved emblems for use on government provided headstones.
There are Asatru followers who are right now in Iraq and Afghanistan and others that will be deployed shortly. They and their families deserve to know that if they should be killed Thor's Hammer will be allowed upon their Dept of Veterans Affairs provided headstone.
It took eight years and a court battle after the death of a Wiccan soldier before the Pentacle was added. That shouldn't happen to any soldiers grave.
No Christian goes into battle without knowing that a cross, of their choice, will be on their government provided headstone. We are asking that one symbol, Thor's Hammer, of the Asatru faith to be added to the approved list.
Thank you for your time,
I feel this is important because freedom of religion is one of America's most valued rights and being able to display our symbols is part of that right.
I am about to sign up for the U.S. Navy and if i am to be taken in battle, then my spirit would never rest if the symbol of my faith was not on my headstone.
The brave men and women whos serve this country have a right to be laid to rest according to what they belive regardless of what it is. They are heroes and patriots, they have certinly earned it!
Us new privates have been lectured several times that not only is it imperative that we be physically strong, mentally tough, and morally straight, but also that we have a healthy spiritual life as well. Hopefully one day they can make it easier for us to take their advice.
A true warrior and defender of our country deserves the right to have his or her final resting place be true to his or her spirit.
This is an absolutely fair request. That the military and our government recognize one religion and not another, especially when they made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, is unfortunate to say the least. I would love for fallen heathens to get the same respect as those of the more "mainstream" faiths.
as a vet i feel its my right to have my religious symbol on my headstone.
As a former member of the Armed Services and at present a disabled veteran. I do believe that this approval of the marker on the headstones of service members would be a great service and a sign of mutual respect for all that have and will serve this country.
Those that are Asatru believe as strongly as all other religions and should have the right of their sumbol to mark their final resting place, just as other do in other religions.
After they give everything to protect our Freedoms, and especially after they give their lives for our Freedom, shouldn't it be allowed that the soldier can have a symbol of their choosing on their headstone? Compared to what we, as a nation, asked of them, their request for a specific symbol placed on their headstone seems like the least we could offer in return. In Frith, Jessica McComb
I am a Celtic Pagan, respect all religions even ones you don't understand. That's how it should be. Bright Blessings.
Sean Sears
I was also a soldier and had a hard time explaining that I was of Norse religion. As a soldier that defends this country in the name of "freedom" should also have the same freedom that they fought and died for also given to them. Their religious insignias be it a Cross, Celtic Cross, Pentacle, or Thor's Hammer should be allowed on their tomb out of respect for what they lived and died for!
I am a US Army Veteran, and a member of the Asatru faith.. Asatru is a faith for warriors, and that should be respected by our government.
Please, let our heroes display their faith upon their passing. Why is this so controversial?
When a person dies a hero, it is the least we can do to respect and remember their beliefs. Mainstream or not.
I am of the Asatru religion. I am also an active duty soldier. I believe that my faith should be displayed upon my grave at them time of my death. Christian and Jewish people get it, why not me? There are a lot of us out there and we have the same rights as anybody else. So please give us this one thing we ask for. Thank You PFC Hinds 4th ID Fort Carson Colorado
