I recently had a chance to chat briefly with Tech Sergeant Brandon Longcrier, who was deeply involved in the construction of a Pagan worship circle at the Air Force Academy. Brandon was able to take some time to talk with us, and here's what he had to say.
Pagan/Wiccan Guide Patti Wigington: Brandon, we have many regular readers who are either active duty military personnel, former members, or their dependents, so I want to thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for us at About Pagan/Wiccan.
First, let's talk about the Pagan worship circle at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. You were instrumental in making that happen. Is the Circle being used regularly for Pagan ceremonies and worship? Has the feedback been generally positive?
TSgt. Brandon Longcrier: We started using the Circle at Ostara 2010 and we've mainly been using it for Sabbats and Esbats, but right now it is under construction. Why is an already magnificent site, made up of huge boulders, with an opening to the East, and a view to die for under construction? Well, in the past and before the boulders were ever put in place, the area where the Circle now sits was used by United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Cadets as a place to hang out and party.
On some occasions, fires were made using pallets, which left nails all over the hilltop. So in order for us to practice without shoes, which is how we practice (weather and terrain permitting), then we'd need some kind of surface to protect us from being injured by anything that may be lying atop or beneath the surface. Having a protective surface was our justification for the beautiful flagstone surface that is in place at this time. The fire pit should be here soon and putting that in place should complete the Circle project. We hope to dedicate the Circle soon.
I know I'm the one who did all the pushing and prodding, but Team USAFA has been just as instrumental in making all this happen as I have. USAFA really came through on this one!
Guide Patti: Are you able to comment on the investigation into the wooden cross which was left at the site back in the summer? The last anyone heard was that it was being looked into, and then it sort of went away. Do you think the Academy threw you under the bus on this one by trivializing the incident?
TSgt. Longcrier: The investigation was closed and rightfully so. There just wasn't anything to really go off of. The site is in a public area, we didn't have cameras up there at the time, and it's almost impossible to lift finger prints off of wood. I'm satisfied that USAFA Security Forces and Investigators did everything in their power and what's done is done. We're currently in the process of getting signs made that will let people know exactly what the Circle is. So hopefully if there was any confusion before; there won't be in the future.
Guide Patti: Recently, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation expressed some concerns about what Mikey Weinstein called the "unconstitutional establishment of a fundamentalist Christian culture" at the Academy. Do you personally feel that there's an underlying current of evangelism on base? Have you or any other Pagans at the Academy experienced hostility due to your religious beliefs?
TSgt. Longcrier: I can't speak on behalf of the Military Religious Foundation, but as far as the Earth-Centered group goes; we haven't been harassed by anyone.
Guide Patti: Thanks once again for taking the time to talk with us - is there anything additional you'd like to add?
TSgt. Longcrier: I would like to encourage all the military Pagans out there to take a stand and come out of the closet if you haven't already. One of the biggest reasons why Paganism is looked over is because leadership doesn't see the numbers. Show them the numbers and they'll show us the respect we so rightfully deserve. There are over 80,000 people in the Air Force listed under "non-religious" or "no religious preference" and I'm confident that a huge number out of that 80,000 are Pagans. I'm Pagan and I'm Proud! You be too!
