Memorial Day

As the nation observes the sacrifices of those in the military this Memorial Day, hundreds of gay and lesbian veterans are remembering LGBT fallen comrades.

It is impossible to make even a guess at the number of gays who have served their country in uniform since the American Revolution, but what is known is that openly gay officers have routinely been drummed out of the service. Even “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” the legislation signed by President Clinton that was to removed the military’s right to capriciously investigate the private lives of those in the military is a failure. (source)

I don’t want to make a political statement about Memorial Day. Everyone knows how I feel about gay military members who are forced to conceal their sexual orientation or face discharge. In the end, on the battle field, none of that matters, and to a dead soldier, alive or dead, it doesn’t matter.

I look forward to the day that news articles such as this one will not be published because that will mean that the military has learned that it really doesn’t matter the preferences of a person in this area. That has nothing to do with how they do their job. I think it’s sad that, as the military is ready and willing to discharge these soldiers, it is also ready to forget that when these soldiers signed up, they also signed up for all the dangers involved in military service. And that’s a tragedy. And, that is why I’m making this post. It is largely forgotten that they served and were discharged, or that they were killed on the battlefield.

I honor them. I honor their courage - extreme courage to serve; they have two enemies - one they may encounter on the battlefield, and the U.S. Military. The enemy on the battlefield who would like to kill them, or the U.S. Military who will either send them off to war knowing full well that they are gay, only later to kick them out when they are no longer needed - or just kick them out and be done with it if they weren’t able to lie well enough. This is what they face, and I honestly don’t know why they do it, other than the love they have for their country.

I hope that everyone has a safe Memorial Day. And remember, it’s not just another holiday that we don’t have to work. I think it is very sad that, dare I say most Americans look at this holiday in that light. They never stop to think of those who have given their lives so that they have the luxury of thinking of this day as just a day off.