I am sick and tired of the VFW’s disrespect for Pagan veterans and those on active duty. I have totally had it with new VFW members being initiated and having the post chaplain point to a King James Bible and tell people that it is the source of all wisdom and the guide to true comradeship. To me that is, at the very least, downright insulting.

Thus, I encourage each and every Pagan who is a member of the VFW or those who are thinking of joining that organization to consider the aims, goals and practices of the organization. Personally, I find it openly insulting but each of you are free to act as you seem best. However my advice is, if you belong, quit and explain why. If you don’t already belong allow them to try to recruit you and, at the last moment, explain why you will not join until and unless they make some very major, very basic changes.

Remember, many of the national officers, board members and staff continue to insist that the VFW is a Christian organization.

To: charles arnold <charlesparnold@…>

Cc: davidson057@…; Peter Hook <PeterHook@…>; Bill Tropia <seehaas@…>

Charles,

I am copying VFW6393 Senior Vice Commander Davidson, Legion 317 Commander Tropia, and VFW6393 Chaplain Hook on this note for clarity and communication efficiencies.

I am very glad to hear your support of and ability to participate in the WCNC Guardians Honor Rifle Squad.  As we have all discussed repeatedly, that duty is critical to proper honors of our departed comrades. Thank you.

Regarding your participation in the Yardley-Lower Makefield, VFW6393 / Legion 317 Commemoration of Veterans Day 2009, please be perfectly clear and understand that my invitation to you to deliver service upon our Honor Rifle Squad was based entirely upon your trusted and earned status Veteran and a prior ceremony participant within our VFW and Legion and local area community and not upon any denominational affiliation.  VFW6393 needed bodies to staff a properly manned Honor Guard, you are a trained, trusted, reliable, responsible handler of weaponry and you and I happened to be at our Post when I was looking to fill out the squad.  The extent to which you felt you were representing Pagan Veterans USA during those ceremonies and your participation in that Guard, is entirely up to your interpretation

(Here I feel a need to interrupt. The extent to which I was representing PVUSA was obvious; I was in PVUSA Honor Guard Blacks, with a PVUSA cap on my head – not a VFW hat. And I did not feel that I was representing PVUSA but was doing so obviously, so obviously that several people asked about the uniform and the organization.)

… but that connection was and is circumstantial and not intentional nor reserved for future participation.

VFW Post 6393 and its mission within the VFW at large is and will continue to be devoted to VFW members and Veterans of all persuasions,

(except Pagan veterans who happen to feel uncomfortable with VFW meetings which include THREE christian prayers -more at special events.)

… denominations, races and creeds and will not focus exclusively upon nor discriminate among them due to any circumstance outside of their Veteran service and status.

Regarding the objections to Pagan Veterans USA participation upon the Memorial Day Color Honor Guard, the statements delivered via separate letters to you by Legion Commander Tropia, and me, still and will, apply.  The institution of Memorial Day is not one to neither identify nor celebrate any service member of any individual affiliation whatsoever, nor will its Parade Flag Color Guard demonstrate recognition or celebration of any isolated group, regardless of denomination, races, creed or persuasion.

Regarding your perception of contradictions; while I don’t lay any claim to be any great theologian nor Constitutional scholar, I do know this, the National value of and foundation upon a separation between Church and State was not set forth to outright eliminate Church from our Nation, but rather to ensure that the State would not be permitted to establish and mandate any single particular Church or like devotion for all our citizens.

(See the previous letters to see the contradictions in this comment.)

… This fundamental protection is among the many that all we Veterans have fought, and in some cases died, to protect and ensure in our country and should not be permitted to be a source of division among us.

Congratulations upon your interview and imminent article with the Courier-Times to publicize and work to grow Pagan Veterans USA.  I spoke with Jim McGuiness about your interview as well and reiterated VFW6393s open welcome of Veterans of all Eras, an invitation to VFW membership of those qualified Veterans regardless of denominations, races and creeds.  I emphasized your past valued service to our Post and our mission and your participation during ceremonies throughout past years.

Most Very Respectfully, Yours in Continued Comradeship,

Christopher Desmond

Commander VFW6393,

Yardley-Lower Makefield , PA 19067

mailto:cmdesmond-vfw6393@…

Rendering Honors would be a documentary about the Pagan Veterans Headstone Campaign and its multi-year campaign to have the Department of Veterans Affairs recognize the Pentacle and the ongoing saga of obtaining appropriate symbols for Druids and Heathers as well. I imagine this as a 48 minute documentary (1 hour on television on radio) examining not only the Pagan Veterans Headstone Campaign but precursors such as the Isis Invicta Military Mission and the Military Pagan Networks efforts along with contemporary actions of the Lady Liberty League and The Aquarian Tabernacle Church.

The primary would be on the efforts of two widows, Rosemay Kooiman and Roberta Stewart, to have a headstone with a Pentacle placed in the name of their husbands. CPL Abraham Kooiman was a World War II infantryman who won the Bronze Star on his way from Normandy to Germany and who died peacefully in 2001. SGT Patrick Stewart was a helicopter crew chief whose Chinook helicopter was shot down over the mountains of Afghanistan in 2005.

I see a large part of the program being made up of interviews including those with Roberta Stewart and the children of Abraham and Rosemary Kooiman. Also included will be interviews with Selena Fox, Pete Pathfinder, and me, along with representatives of the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Additional footage would include shots of some of the Pagan veterans headstones around the country, comments from Pagans currently serving in the military and with Pagan veterans and, very importantly, footage of various politicians attacking Pagans, Paganism and Pagan service in the military.

I see this project being produced jointly by the Pagan Veterans Headstone Campaign, Pagan Veterans of the United States of America and private donors. Any person or group contributing $500 or more will be named in the credits, as will all of those who make major contributions in other ways.

Comments or suggestions???

I talked to a wirter for the Bucks County Courier-Times, Jim McGuiness, and he is interested in writing a story. Thing is, I’m not sure what the story will be about. I don’t knew if he will focus on a member of PVUSA bieng involved with other veterans groups, about Pagans in the military, or something completely different.

What I do know is that no matter how bad the story turns out (or how good), it will help publicize the fact that thousands of Pagans have served and are serving in the American military – and that is flat out good.

Stay tuned boys and girls, no specific time, no specific station, just peek in here and check out what happens.

Oh, one question. I see that the decision has been made to put several accused terrorists on trial in New York because it is the safest location for such a trial in the country. Now let me ask what happens when the first lawyer for any of the defendants requests a change of venue based on bias on the part of prospective jurors in New York? Wonder why no one else is asking this question? Is it possible that changes of venue are not allowed in such cases and, if so, is that grounds for an appeal?

Oh, and what about speedy trial and all the rest of the possible defense motions? Miranda rights? Questioning using methods not allowed in other situations?

Just wondering…

Charles

A cross burns

to keep away the dark

and the slope

and the kike

satin robes rustle

and lynch

and castrate

and burn

torches are raised

and hands

and fists

to fall on the

bodies and homes

and churches and children

to keep America

red, white and blue

with the red of the blood that flows

the blue of the bruises on the bodies

and the white of the skins of fanatics

standing in darkness

FOR IMMEDIATE DISSEMINATION

TO: All Philadelphia and Bucks County, PA media outlets and selected national outlets

FROM: Pagan Veterans of the United States of America

RE: History Was Made on Veterans Day 2009

DATE: November 10, 2009

CONTACT: Charles Arnold, National Commander, PVUSA – 609-651-7079

A seemingly small but important historical step was taken in Yardley, Pennsylvania this Veterans Day when a member of a new, national veterans organization, Pagan Veterans of the United States of America, was asked to be an active participant in the Yardley, PA, Veterans’ Day celebration.

Charles Arnold, wearing the black and purple of the Honor Guard of Pagan Veterans USA, participated as a member of the Rifle Squad which fired the traditional twenty-one gun salute to honor veterans. His participation was at the request of this year’s Master of Ceremonies, Commander Christopher Desmond of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6393. Arnold, a Vietnam veteran and Life Member of the VFW is no stranger to veterans events in Yardley and Lower Makefield Township. In past years he has served as a member of the Rifle Squad, firing salutes; as well as the Color Guard, but always representing the local VFW Post. This was the first event where Arnold or any other member of his organization has represented PVUSA in an official event.

Pagan Veterans of the United States of America, which began forming in March of this year, is a veterans’ service organization offering camaraderie, support and other services to its members and is involved in educational and patriotic activities as well. It came into being as a result of a successful campaign which convinced the US Department of Veterans Affairs to offer veterans the families of deceased the option of having a headstone with a recognizable Pagan symbol, the Pentacle. Often confused with a motorcycle club, the term “Pagan” in the name actually refers to a grouping of religious faiths to which the organization’s members subscribe. But officials with the group go to great lengths to point out that it is completely secular and is affiliated with no particular religious sect, as well as similarities it shares with other focused veterans organizations such as Jewish War Veterans, Catholic War Veterans, and Native American Veterans.

One of the more surprising outward features of the organization is its lavish use of the color purple which is found not only as the background color for its flag but its uniform hats and other regalia. Pagan Veterans USA chose purple because, as its written material states, “When you take the blue of loyalty and fidelity to be found in all who have served this country in uniform and combine that with the red of blood, often shed, the result is purple, a color that rightfully recognizes the true spirit or patriotism and sacrifice which personifies not only out membership but all veterans.”

For additional information contact National Commander Charles Arnold at the phone number given above. Alternatively, you may email questions or comments to charles.arnold@PaganVeteransUSA.com or his personal email account, charlesparnold@Yahoo.com. Whitten request for information or interviews may be sent to PVUSA, 490 Plaza Boulevard, Bldg. K, Suite 114, Morrisville, PA 19067.

“Pagan Veterans of the United States of America
Abraham ooiman Post #1
Attn: Charles Arnold
Interim National Commander”

“Please review and in good faith receive this response to your request to carry your organizational flag in the 2010 Yardley-Lower Makefield Memorial Day Parade Honor Color Guard.”

“Memorial Day is a Nationally recognized, thoroughly secular Holiday,
established to honor veterans, and most significantly, fallen comrades from all wars and conflicts the United States has dedicated its fighting forces to,
regardless of religious affiliation of those comrades. Per my research and
understanding, no specific religious group, Christian, Jewish, Moslem, not any social group, Gay, Lesbian, Heterosexual, not or any racial not ethnic group, White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, etc. has ever been granted the separate privilege to participate or be specifically represented upon or whithin the Honor Color Guard in the Parade.”

“In your request, you state several times that your organization is in fact
‘social, fraternal and religious’ in nature. while I respect your role and right
to gather and participate in such an organization and I certainly respect the
beliefs of all Americans and while I understand and recognize your recently won right to have your religious symbols displayed on headstones of deceased veterans, allowing any specifically affiliated and identified religious group to participate upon or within in the Memorial Day Parade Honor Color Guard would set a inappropriate precedent and would violate the long-held United States principle of separation of church and state. We cannot advocate nor indorse such practices.”

“Therefore, I, in my role as Commander VFW 6393, and representative Veterans organization for the 2010 Yardley-Lower Makefield Memorial Day Parade, cannot grant your request.”

“Thank you for your cordial and professional request. I trust in your
understanding of my denial of this request.”

“Very Respectfully, Yours in Comradeship
Christopher Desmond
Commander VFW6393
Yardley-Lower Makefiled, PA 19067

Some comments from me.

First, if this ever gets to the point where legal action is necessary, conspiracy to deny our civil rights will be right up there. Not only did the Legion Commander state that he talked the issue over with my VFW Post Commander, the wording of parts of this letter are identical.

I’ll try to keep you all up on what is going on.

Charles

“Pagan Veterans of the United States of America
Abraham ooiman Post #1
Attn: Charles Arnold
Interim National Commander”

“In response to your request to carry your organizational flag in the 2010
Memorial Day parade, I wish to inform you of the following.

“As you know, Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor veterans, in particular fallen comrades for all wars and conflicts in which the United States has participated, regardless of religious affiliation. To my knowledge, no specific religious group, Christian, Jewish, Moslem, not any social group, Gay, Lesbian, Heterosexual, not or any racial not ethnic group, White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, etc. has ever been granted the separate privilege to join in with the Honor Guard in the parade.”

“In your request, you state several times that your organization is in fact
‘social, fraternal and religious’ in nature. while I respect your role and right
to gather and participate in such an organization and I certainly respect the
beliefs of all Americans and while I understand and recognize your recently won right to have your religious symbols displayed on headstones of deceased veterans, allowing any religious group to join in the Honor Guard would not only set a precedent, it would violate the long-held principle of separation of church and state. That is clearly not something we wish to countenance.”

“In short, we cannot grant your request. Perhaps social change will lead to a
redefinition of things in the future, but at this time, it is not within our
purview to allow this. I ask for your understanding for out denial of this
request.”

“Sincerely
William H. Tropia
Commander
Knowles-Doyle Post 317″

Some comments from me:

“To my knowledge, no specific religious group, Christian, Jewish, Moslem, not any social group, Gay, Lesbian, Heterosexual, not or any racial not ethnic group, White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, etc. has ever been granted the separate privilege to join in with the Honor Guard in the parade.”

He forgets that PVUSA is a secular “VETERANS” organization. As for the sexual orientation issue, I have no idea where that is coming from except that I did raise a complaint with my VFW Post about some of the language used in the Post. Same for race. I have never talked to the Legion about these issues. Commander Tropia did say that he had read the VFW rejection letter before composing his own letter.

“In your request, you state several times that your organization is in fact
‘social, fraternal and religious’ in nature.”

No, I did not say that we were a religious organization.

“While I respect your role and right to gather and participate in such an organization and I certainly respect the beliefs of all Americans and while I understand and recognize your recently won right to have your religious symbols displayed on headstones of deceased veterans, allowing any religious group to join in the Honor Guard would not only set a precedent, it would violate the long-held principle of separation of church and state. That is clearly not something we wish to countenance.”

Again, PVUSA is not a religious organization. Secondly, the “Church/State” statement is ridiculous as there are prayers at the service.

The one thing I will add here is that I met with Commander Tropia and he and I had a pleasant chat – before the incident on Veterans Day. At that time he stated that he is willing to revisit our application before the Post membership.

Charles

Just wanted folks to know that both the Yardley, PA, American Legion and VFW turned down my application to have a member of Pagan Veterans of the USA as part of their Memorial Day Honor Guard. I’ll post what there letters said soonest.

What’s really interesting is that on the morning of November 11 I was at the VFW Post returning some borrowed books when the Post Commander walks in, sees me in my black PVUSA Honor Guard uniform, and asks me if I’m willing to be a member of the Rifle Squad who will fire the salute. I was a little taken aback but then realized that he didn’t have a clue as to the implications of his invitation and my involvement (see the letters and you will understand).

Anyway, I agreed, and participated. The Rifle Squad did not march in the small parade from the Legion to the local memorial but, rather, waited at the memorial.

You have no idea how hard it was for me to keep a relatively straight face the rest of the day, during lunch, etc. I just wanted to cheer.

The reason, for those of you who missed it, is that by inviting me to participate, nearly every argument brought up in the rejection letters was blown to shreds. And as for the “Church/State” issue, the fact that the local Presbyterian minister delivered both an invocation and a benediction – well, so much for that fantasy. With all of this being out that brings the rejections down to either that the Legion and VFW don’t want any other groups getting involved in “their” parade and/or that they just don’t like the word “Pagan.”

This isn’t as simple as it seems. The Legion Post Commander told me that he would hesitate to allow Jewish War Veterans, Catholic War Veterans or even Vietnam Veterans of America to be part of their Honor Guard. In fact he would be hesitant to allow any of there organizations to be involved as a group. Go figure.

More later