After nearly a decade of fighting to have a pentacle approved for use as a grave marker symbol for vets buried in government cemetaries, Pagan/Wiccan activists can finally breathe a sigh of relief- the fight is over. Americans United has announced a settlement today that will allow Wiccan soldiers to use the pentacle, and there is finally an explanation for the inexplicable stonewalling of the VA. According the AU, the Veteran's Administration had taken into account the opinions and actions of the President. As Governor of Texas, Bush opposed Wiccan gatherings* at an Air Force Base, and this second-class treatment of the religion was the primary motivation for the VA to refuse petitions from pagan veterans:

"It is rank hypocrisy for this administration to claim publicly that it cares about religious freedom and equality but then to quietly and deliberately discriminate against a minority faith like Wicca. Until now, this administration’s view has been that Wiccans are good enough to fight for their country, but not good enough to be acknowledged with a proper headstone.”

*A campaigning Bush, when told of the military base Wiccans: "I don't think witchcraft is a religion. I would hope the military would take a second look at the decision they made." [source]