Here is an E-Mail I sent to Dave Camp early on November 7, 2006. ( Some non relevant information has been edited out )
Dear Mr. Camp.
First I would like to say best of luck later today.
A few days ago I was listening to the radio and one of your campaign ads came on. It reminded me of when I was in school and several of us volunteered for your Mt. Pleasant office. They were fond memories. Now in your ad you mention helping others, so I ask when the chaos slows down would you please consider a conversation I had with my 14 year old son a while back. We were talking about him some day going into the service to maybe help pay for school. The subject of a woman and her family in Nevada came up. I will not go into all the details but basically her husband, Sgt. Patrick Stewart of the Nevada National Guard was killed September 24, 2005 while serving his country. With the return of this fallen soldier to his family another battle raged on, but this one was between his family and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA refuses to acknowledge the symbol of his faith for the use on memorials, grave stones, etc. Apparently this symbol has been under review for over nine years. While other symbols have been submitted and approved, this one seems to have been stonewalled and pushed aside for one reason or another. In a country where freedom of religion is supposed to be one of our basic rights, it looks like our own Government has forgotten what our soldiers and the soldiers of the past are fighting for. It upsets me and my family to think of the heart ache of not only losing her husband, but having to cope with a Government that seems to have turned its back on her. I think her fight effects all of us. Not just the citizens of Nevada, nor the followers of the same faith as theirs, but everyone and any faith. It should not matter what faith we follow. When any of us stand up for our country, we should be able to do so knowing that our country stands behind us.
I am hoping this letter makes its way to you and does not get lost in the sea of e-mails you receive. I do not know what you could do if anything, but I thought I would share one of my and my families concerns with you.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Stan E. Newcombe II
Remus, Michigan
Below is the letter I received from Mr. Camp on November 26th, 2006
Mr. Stan Newcombe
XXXXXXXXXXX
Remus, Michigan 49340
Dear Stan:
Thank you for your email.
I am glad to know your concerns regarding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) refusal to recognize the Wiccan religion. As you may know, the VA's National Cemetery Administration permits only approved "emblems of belief" to be engraved on government-furnished headstones. There are 38 such emblems. You many also be aware that the widows of two veterans filed suit against the federal government on November 13, 2006, for not allowing them to engrave the pentacle on their husband's military grave markers.
Like you, I believe Americans should be free to exercise their religious beliefs as they choose. Please be assured I will closely monitor the progress of this litigation and keep in mind your views should any relevant legislation come before me in the House of Representatives.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,
DAVE CAMP
Member of Congress
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