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Welcome!
Thank you for visiting our site!
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For more information on the recent changes to the Veteran's Administration regulations
concerning cemetery headstones, please select the Headstone
tab at the top of this page.
For more information on the AFA Religious Lay Leader Program, please select the
Lay Leaders tab at the top of this page.
For information on our warrior cards and prayer book for Asatru military
personnel, please check our News section and our Forums for updates.
Followers of the Asatru faith have a great respect for warriors and their
families. We see the strength and courage they demonstrate, and honor
them for their sacrifices. We also realize that even the strongest and most
courageous need the support and friendship of others. Having the support of
those who believe as they do is a valuable weapon in the battles they fight,
not just in war, but in life.
The Asatru Military Family Support Program is set up to offer an easier way
for Asatru military personnel, their families, and veterans to receive that
support. They, and those who stand beside them, now have a place of
their own!
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News and Updates
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THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009
Removed Treats for Troops link from the links page
and placed The Freedom Rock on the Links page.
- Mary
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THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009
News, Headstone and Home pages updated.
Page added for Lay Leader program and video moved to About Us page.
- Mary
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2009
Lay Leader program initiated..........
The Asatru Folk Assembly is proud to announce its Religious Lay Leader program for military personnel
who follow our faith. Judy Floyd, head of the AFA's project in service to our members in the armed forces,
describes Religious Lay Leaders as "military personnel who follow our faith and who have taken
upon themselves the responsibility of acting as a religious liaison or representatives for Asatru."
She adds that they will work with military chaplains to provide information about Asatru, and to help
organize and lead blots, sumbles, and other rites of our religion.
"Religious Lay Leaders are not ordained AFA clergy," notes Stefn Thorsman, head of the AFA Clergy
Board. " However, they work with our clergy members, and look to them for assistance and guidance in
carrying out their tasks."
The Lay Leader program is a major breakthrough for Asatru service members, who have no chaplains of their
own, and who may have few opportunities to practice their faith with others. It also educates non-Asatru
personnel who are not familiar with our faith, or who may have heard erroneous information. But there is
a "big picture" advantage, as well: According to AFA leader Steve McNallen, "This project
establishes Asatru as a legitimate faith in all branches of the US military, and paves the way for Asatru
to take its rightful place with other recognized world religions."
Information about the AFA's Religious Lay Leader program can be had by contacting the Asatru Folk Assembly
at afa@runestone.org.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2009
Petition, News pages updated.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2009
Site updates and technical specs
4/25/09
Updated Index.html for IE readability. (The Hammer Project website is best read in Google Chrome)
FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2009
Forums are up and running.
Mary, assistant web-geek
===================================================
Website is LIVE!
The Asatru Military Family Support Program site (sponsored by the
Asatru Folk Assembly - AFA) is up and running. A few things still
need to be added, but that will happen over the next few days. The
forums are ready and already have members. It's time to start
talking, planning and working toward our goal of Thor's hammer on
headstones and working together to support our military families.
It isn't necessary for a family to all be heathen to be members and
receive the support they deserve. Non-heathen family members are
welcome as members of the forums. Supporting the whole military
family is our goal.
Take a look at the site, www.hammerproject.org, and if you have any
questions just email and ask. Jfloyd@hammerproject.org .
Judy
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FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2009
Welcome to the hammer project!
Heathen men and women serve this country and it's citizens risking their
lives and yet not one symbol of our faith is approved by the Department
of Veterans Affairs for use on the DVA provided headstones of fallen
soldiers. There are numerous other beliefs whose symbols are recognized.
Here is a link to the approved symbols list for the DVA: http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hm/hmemb.asp.
It's time at least one symbol of our faith is on that list!
Most often it isn't until a soldier dies and the family makes the request
that a new symbol is considered.
No man or woman of any belief should have to fall in battle, nor should we
wait until a Heathen has fallen in battle before we stand together and fight
to have a symbol of our beliefs approved by the DVA. Only if we join together
as heathens and with the help of those of other beliefs will this become a
reality.
A website specifically set up for the headstone project is being designed
and should be up and running within the next week. I didn't want to wait until
every detail was in place with the site before I asked for help. The sooner
we start the sooner it will become a reality.If anyone would be interested
in helping with the project please email me, jfloyd@runestone. org
(I'll be using this email address until the new site is up and email
addresses can be given out.)
Please forward this to any person or groups that might be interested in helping.
Judy Hail the Gods!
Hail the Goddesses!
Hail the Folk!
Hail the Warrior!
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Hello All and Welcome
Welcome to the Hammer Project!
We will have more up as soon as possible!
Please bear with us as our site is under construction. Everything will be up and running soon!
Your Friendly Asatru Web-Geek,
Rind
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HammerProject.Org Forum Rules
“Many a man means no ill, yet teases the other at table;
strife will ever start among men when guest clashes with guest.”
-Havamal, Poetic Edda, Hollander Trans.
Forum Rules
The "Forum Rules" describes the behavior expected of members of the forum in to regard to each other. Within the confines of this website and forums we will view each other as we would if we were sitting in Sumbel with one another. To keep peace within the forums and to protect the reputation of those who are members we have certain rules.
1. We support Asatru military personnel, their families and veterans. Not every family will be made up of all Asatru, therefore there will be no bashing of the different branches within greater Heathenry or other religions. We are here to support and help each other.
2. Everyone should and will be able to speak their mind freely, but that speech must remain respectful and courteous. Administrators and moderators are the hosts of the forums, everyone else guests. Follow the rules of Hospitality!
3. Remember the words you use here. We are here to support and build up each other. That can’t be done by belittling, demeaning or with rudeness. If there is a personal difference take it off-forum. Don’t inflict it upon the rest of us.
4. People will have bad days and at times need a sounding board or release. Understand and be there, it may be you next time.
5. Be honest and straightforward with all on the forums and stop gossip and falsities that are being spread. Speak honestly and openly and do not talk behind the backs of others. What is said on these forums are to stay on the forums.
DO NOT REPEAT ANYTHING FROM THE FORUMS ON ANY ORGANIZATION’S LIST OR FORUMS WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF ALL INVOLVED.
First time infraction of rules will be a warning. Second time you will be removed from the forums.
AFA Religious Lay Leader Program
The Asatru Folk Assembly is proud to announce its Religious Lay Leader program
for military personnel who follow our faith. Judy Floyd, head of the AFA's project in service to
our members in the armed forces, describes Religious Lay Leaders as "military personnel who
follow our faith and who have taken upon themselves the responsibility of acting as a religious
liaison or representatives for Asatru." She adds that they will work with military chaplains
to provide information about Asatru, and to help organize and lead blots, sumbles, and other rites
of our religion.
"Religious Lay Leaders are not ordained AFA clergy," notes Stefn Thorsman, head of the AFA Clergy
Board. " However, they work with our clergy members, and look to them for assistance and guidance
in carrying out their tasks."
The Lay Leader program is a major breakthrough for Asatru service members, who have no chaplains of
their own, and who may have few opportunities to practice their faith with others. It also educates
non-Asatru personnel who are not familiar with our faith, or who may have heard erroneous information.
But there is a "big picture" advantage, as well: According to AFA leader Steve McNallen, "
This project establishes Asatru as a legitimate faith in all branches of the US military, and paves
the way for Asatru to take its rightful place with other recognized world religions."
Information about the AFA's Religious Lay Leader program can be had by contacting the Asatru Folk Assembly
at afa@runestone.org.
Helpful Links
Here are some links intended to help Servicemembers, Families and Veterans
access services and support. Suggestions for new links should be sent to Mary Antonelli at
admin@hammerproject.org with "Link Suggestion" in the subject line of the email.
Support for Military Members and Families:
The Freedom Rock project was started in 1999 by Ray "Bubba" Sorenson II.
This group was founded by Melanie Morgan, former San Francisco radio talk show hostess.
It is a lot more political in its focus, but still supports the men and women serving in the US Armed Forces.
Support for recognition of religious symbols:
CircleSanctuary.org
Americans United
Military Religious Freedom.org
Freedom Alliance
Department of Defense:
Director of Administration and Management
Legislative affairs
Department of Veterans Affairs Links:
Department of Veterans Affairs
DoD sponsored sites:
DoD celebrates the Military Child
Volunteer Opportunities
Interested volunteers should contact Judy Floyd at jfloyd@hammerproject.org and
check the Volunteering section under Thor's Hammer Project in our Forums.
Hammer Project: Military Religious Rights
An Important Update regarding the Veterans Administration regulation
concerning cemetery headstones:
The Department of Veterans Affairs approved changes to its regulations concerning the addition of new
emblems to the approved list for headstone as of June 1, 2009. One change was the 'with good cause' clause
in the previously published proposed changes to 'with good cause concerning a deceased qualified individual‘.
We had been approaching the application for Thor's Hammer from the 'with good cause' clause by virtue of the
number of Heathens who are Veterans, Retirees, Active Duty and/or qualified family members. At this time
there are no deceased qualified individuals or terminally ill qualified individuals that I am aware of.
Though we won't be able to have Thor's Hammer added at this time, I hope not for a very long time under the
present regulations, there were some very big steps forward that were made in the changes. It no longer will
be necessary for a 501(c) 3 organization to sponsor the application requesting a new emblem to be added
to the approved list. The new regulations allow the family members or representative of a deceased
individual to make the request themselves.
Also, the new regulations expressly prohibit the VA evaluation of the beliefs that an emblem represents.
Now approval or disapproval will be determined by appropriateness of the emblem within the cemetery setting.
No emblems that 'would have an adverse impact on the dignity and solemnity of cemeteries' will be approved.
The VA will 'accept an applicant’s statement regarding the religious or functionally equivalent belief' of a
deceased eligible individual.
The changes also included the statement 'several denominations or sects may adhere to a religious or
functionally equivalent belief, each with its own emblem design'; therefore there can be more than one design
or emblem for a belief. So Thor's Hammer, Irminsul, Triskel, Valknot should all be approved under the new
regulations without any foreseeable problems.
The Hammer Project has been placed on hold. If a qualified individual's family or representative request to
have Thor's Hammer added and are denied then we will assist them. I have no doubt that the same support that
has been given by the greater Heathen community would once again come full force at the VA if a request were
to be denied.
We will continue to monitor changes within the Dept of Veteran Affairs Regulations. If changes are made giving
us the opportunity to request the addition of Thor's Hammer to the approved emblems list we will move forward.
On the Thor’s Hammer Forum is the information concerning the changes within the VA regulations. There is a copy
of the application and list of needed information for submitting an application for a new emblem. If assistance
is needed filling out the forms someone will help.
The Hammer Project is only one part of the Asatru Military Family Support Program. As of now our full attention is
being given to the needs of our fellow Heathens who are Veterans, Retirees, Active Duty and their families.
We aren't dropping the ball, we're just holding onto it for now. Thor's Hammer will be approved!
About Us
The Hammer Project and the Asatru Military Family Support Program are sponsored by
the Asatru Folk Assembly. For more information on the AFA, visit their website at Runestone.Org.
Getting in Touch
Clicking on the names below will bring up an email link.
Judy Floyd, Program Director: For more information on our program.
Mary Antonelli, WebGeek: For issues related to the website and forum
Website Errata
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