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 served honorable and proud for 7yrs.in the US Army and I think that those serving now, fellow kin should be given recognition of the Thorr's Hammer upon their headstones & grave markers. They are fighting to uphold freedom and equality and upon death they should receive the recognition symbolic of their chosen faith. To be denied such is dishonoring their memories and reasons which they fought for and the service in which they served. The Hammer of Thor was used to consecrate burial of our ancestors as the x-tian cross or the jewish star of david is used to consecrate their dead so the Thors Hammer should be given to military Heathens - Active duty and Vets equally and rightfully place among the gravemarkers. To uphold religious choice and freedom is honorable to not do so is simply blastphamy and dishonor among the dead in a land/country such as ours where equality, honor and justice which govern our fundimental rights and freedoms are supposed to be upheld by its people. To All Are ONE & JUST by the Laws of the People regardles of diversity--For the living as well as the Honored dead.
It is not an opinion but a solid truth that in a country whose definition is equality and freedom, that all religions should be given equal rights, especially within the military and government institutions! How would you feel if you were deprived of your right to have a symbol of your own religion imprinted on your gravestone, by the very country you fought and died to protect? Died to protect equal rights, and yet denied those very same rights? Sickening.
I wholeheartedly agree with the above & clearly advocate the use of Thor's Hammer for those who list Asatru as their faith and die in service of this country. Either that or remove any religious symbol for the government provided headstone for those that give their life in this country. This country was founded with the right for religious freedom, not to be ruled by the one with most numbers or influence of those "in power. It is with that belief that I send in my support for the Hammer Project. Thanks you. Jerri Haklik
We are not Christian and would like the same respect we would give to you. The Hammer is holy to us, let it represent what gave the soldier strength and honor to die for his country.
As a former Marine and a student of world religions I feel that as an American it is our duty to recognize what is most important to our fallen soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen.
People of all faiths have served in our military, and all of us, as individuals AND and as a government body, should award them the respect and dignity of allowing the symbol of their faith to be displayed on their headstone, or anywhere else for that matter. The government should not be allowed to pick and choose which symbols can be displayed and people of different faiths should not have to fight twice over to win a freedom that is guaranteed to each of us by right of being a U.S. citizen.
I am a civilian in Afghanistan now. And I sleep well at night knowing that if anything should happen to me while I am over here then my family will give me a proper rest with Mjollnir on my monument. Isn’t it important to see to it that those who are fighting for their country are guaranteed that dignity and respect? Thank you.
I pray Thor protects an strenghtens all the U.S. armed forces in all conflicts and that He brings ya'll home safe. May Thor bless you!!!
Our founding Fathers were wise enough not to create a State religion so that ALL may practice their beliefs and be free to do so. These rights should not be taken away by a persons death. They choose to lay down their lives to preserve the ideals that the Constitution gives every American. Give them them the dignity of having their belief system recognized they died so that yours maybe recognize.
As a disabled veteran and a heathen I find it difficult to believe that we have to struggle to achieve the same rights and benefits as other veterans. If my religion did not inconvenience your wars when I was serving why should a grave marker with a symbol of my beliefs bother you when I'm dead?
this should have happened already without a need for this petition
This is very important, the fact that soldiers aren't allowed to have what they want on their tombstones is outrageous.
Everyone should have a freedom of choice
the hammer has long been used to honor the graves of warriors. let our soldiers use the symbol if they want.
As a veteran, I am appalled that this isn't already done. Especially in a country that is known for religious freedom!
Please respect our beliefs and the symbols of our beliefs as you would like to be respected in your beliefs and the symbols of that belief. Thank you.
What have we come to when a symbol sacred to our ancestors and those of us today who revere the old Gods can not be displayed on our marker in death? The "Constitution" mandates freedom of religion in our Nation and our brave Soldiers should be able to have the freedom of religious symbolage in life and death.
As an Asatruar, I feel it a great injustice to my fellow Heathens, that have fallen, not to have the option to have the holiest of symbols of our faith put on their grave stone.
I am soon to go to Marine Basic training. I already Adorn my body With Mjolnir, I should expect to further express myself even in physical death
I am a practicing Asatru and want men and women serving in our Military of this faith to have the same honor and respect as other Religions
