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Singer/Songwriter Celia Supports Freedom for All Faiths in New Song, “Symbol” FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 9, 2006 Contact Celia: celia@celiaonline.com 414-899-5852 PO Box 722 Sheboygan, WI 53081 As public support grows for the Veteran Pentacle Request more people are speaking up about religious freedom including Popular Singer/Songwriter Celia. Celia has captured the fallen war hero Sgt. Stewart’s story in a song titled “Symbol”. “Symbol” will be used to help bring awareness to the discrimination that followers of Nature Based Religions face and to raise funds for the Lady Liberty League for the pursuit of getting the Pentacle on the approved National Cemetery Administration's (NCA) list of emblems of belief. In September 2005 Sgt. Patrick Stewart was killed in Afghanistan when his helicopter was shot down by Al Qaeda terrorists. Sgt. Stewart was Wiccan. His wife, Roberta Stewart, also Wiccan, requested the Pentacle, the emblem of belief of their religion, be inscribed on her husband's government-issued memorial plaque. Presently there is only an empty space where Sgt. Stewart's plaque should be because the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has not yet approved the addition of the Pentacle to its National Cemetery Administration's (NCA) list of emblems of belief. His comrade at arms, a Christian, who died in the same act of war on the same day, has a marker that includes his emblem of belief, the Christian Cross. The United States Supreme Court has routinely held that viewpoint discrimination by the government against particular expressions of religion is unconstitutional. However, over the past 9 years Wiccan groups have repeatedly requested the Pentacle as an accepted symbol of faith, and provided required documentation under three different sets of “changed” protocol. During this time 6 other emblems of belief for other religious organizations have been approved, including the acceptance of the approval of the Sikh symbol which was expedited in just 2 days. When asked why she wrote “Symbol” Celia responded: “Upholding the right to worship as one desires is everyone’s issue no matter what your belief system. I wrote “Symbol” because all faiths deserve to be validated under a nation that built it’s foundation on this very principle.” “Let this Soldier Rest……Honor his request”-Lyric from “Symbol” What can you do to help? Celia’s “Symbol” can be purchased for $3 each or 4 for $10 on Celia’s web site www.celiaonline.com and at her concerts. A download is available for $2. All of the proceeds from this song go to the Lady Liberty League to support their efforts in getting the Pentacle approved by the NCA. By spreading the word about this song and the fundraising efforts of LLL you help to uphold the Bill of Rights and all that our ancestors have fought for. More information on the Veteran’s Pentacle Story can be found at www.circlesanctuary.org <<< ------- >>>
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