Memorial Day is more than just a three-day weekend and the unofficial start of summer for many people. It’s a day set aside to remember our combat veterans who have died in service of their country. Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day when it was first observed on May 30, 1868. The day was set aside to remember the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers by proclamation of General John A. Logan.
Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1966 under the direction of President Lyndon Johnson. But the “official” Memorial Day ceremony occurs at Arlington National Cemetery. American flags are placed on each grave. The President or Vice President speaks on the contribution the fallen soldiers gave to their country, and places a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
And on this Memorial Day I also want to pay tribute to those brave gay and lesbian soldiers who serve their country in silence under “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”
The Service Members Legal Defense Network estimates that about 10,000 gay and lesbian soldiers have been discharged under the law. At least one soldier, Private First Class Barry Winchell at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was murdered because he was gay.
Just last year, the discharge of Sgt. Robert Stout of Utica, Ohio, a Purple Heart recipient who happened to be gay, became the topic of news stories. Stout is believed to be the first gay soldier injured in Iraq. Stout wanted to remain in the Army, but was discharged when the Army found out that he was gay.
Statistics on the effect of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell can be difficult to calculate. Gary Gates, a statistician at the University of California at Los Angeles, estimates there are about 65,000 gays and lesbians currently serving in the military, accounting for about 2.8 percent of all personnel. He estimates that at least 25 gay soldiers have been killed in Iraq. Of course that would be nearly impossible to prove.
And for yet another year the GOP has done nothing in regard to repealing this legislation, and the Democrats have done very little as well.
There are 116 members of Congress who support the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Congressman Marty Meehan (D-MA) introduced the Military Readiness Enhancement Act in March 2005. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi supports the bill, as do several retired Generals and Admirals:
Major General Vance Coleman, U.S. Army, Retired
Rear Admiral John Hutson, U.S. Navy, Retired
Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy, U.S. Army, Retired
Brigadier General Keith Kerr, CSMR, Retired
Brigadier General Evelyn Foote, U.S. Army, Retired
Brigadier General Virgil Richard, U.S. Army, Retired
Major General Charles Staff, U.S. Army Reserve, Retired
Rear Admiral Alan Steinman, U.S. Coast Guard, Retired
A complete list of co-sponsors of the bill can be found HERE. The cosponsors include 109 Democrats, 5 Republicans, and 1 Independent. The bill was referred to the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel on March 17, 2005. No action has been made on the bill.
Will we see yet another year of inaction on behalf of our legislators to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell? Many polls indicate that allowing gays and lesbians to serve in the military has the support of 60% of the country. Will the mid-term elections change the complexion of Congress in such a way that the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is possible? Maybe, but Democrats haven’t been all that vocal on the issue either. In fact, the Democratic Leadership has sent mixed messages to the GLBT community in recent months.
But there is one thing that we can do. On this Memorial Day we can also remember the gay and lesbian soldiers that have died, in silence, in service to their country. And we can honor and celebrate those brave gay and lesbian soldiers who served their country so well, only to be tossed aside on account of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
And on this Memorial Day I also want to honor those brave gay and lesbian soldiers who continue to serve in silence of who they are. These men and women serve their country despite the bigotry and homophobia centered squarely in Washington, DC.
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