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 I want to take a moment to thank all pagan veterans, old, new, from WWI to Iraq. I also want to thank Robeta Stewart, as a veteran of a war of another sort. She fought to ensure that we would all now have a headstome and plaque that would truly represent us, and enable all Americans to know that pagans are not only among them, but they serve, and some make the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
I want to thank my wondeful husband, a proud lifelong Pagan, a staunch and committed pagan who spent six horrible years in active duty service for the Army and 15 months in the current Iraqi conflict. My husband is merely one of the faces of of today's pagan military.
 I wish to thank all of those, whatever faith, or non faith -- and there have been so many. So many Christians, Jews, Muslims, Pagan, Agnostics and Atheists. So many people of every color, sexual orientation, culture, faith, belief, and gender. So many who have answered the call of defense of their country. And, to them, it never mattered what their true identity. They all gathered and blended and buried and released those labels to add yet another: warrior.
Be they soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines or Coast Guardsmen -- they secured our borders, offered aid to those in need, provided a fresh start for those who needed it. They defended us sight unseen, and filled the need for warriors, and elected to defend those of us who could not defend ourselves.
I want to thank the National Guardsmen and Reservists who have been treated shamefully in this lateslt conflict. There answer to the call has cause most of them their livelihoods, their families, their sanity and, for so many -- their lives.
And I honor those who fight the war within the war: those who fight the war for those who have fallen and are unable to any longer fight. Those who stand in Congrssional hearings, VA hearings and fight though miles and years of beauratic red tape to ensure that every person who has given the ultimate sacrifice is properly represented.
I, too, am a Pagan veteran. I served in the Desert Storm conflict -- and I did while managing to be Black, female and pagan. But had I died in that conflict at that time, I would not have been properly represented during that time. Thanks to Roberta Stewart, Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary and so many others, so many others, it will no longer be a worry for those who come after me.
Please, thank a Pagan soldier for their voluntary service. Thank a Christian soldier. Thank a Jewish, Muslim, Agnostic, or Atheist solider. More than likely, they are either now a war veteran, or will be very soon. No matter what your politics. ethics or beliefs -- thanks a member of the modern military today and any time you see one.
We deserve it.
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