Honoring Every Veteran – Dallas Style
In preparing for the SLDN Board meetings last month I remembered my good friend Wes Giles who came to my home in 2001 and asked me "Where is your uniform?" I told him that I, like most veterans, had hung it in my closet the day after I retired. Wes replied, "It is not right that you are out and your uniform is still in the closet! Get it out and clean it up because you are marching in Austin's First Pride Parade next Saturday as a member of the Color Guard."
The Dallas meetings were to be held the week of Veterans Day - a day meant to celebrate the service and sacrifice of ALL who have served. Yet, I mused, there are many like me whose uniforms hang in the closet. Oh I am certain that they still feel the same patriotic pride that they felt when they once donned it each day but perhaps for some it brought memories of darker days. To some it represented serving in silence - a silence that brings with it a sense of shame. For far too many it reminds them of stellar service marred by discharge under DADT.
Thus, the week of Veterans Day 2008 was dubbed "Honor EVERY Veteran Week" in Dallas, TX. It became a week in which our community recognized the service of all veterans including the LGBT vets both in the press and at public and private events. The Eagle kicked off the week with "Uniform Night." Pekers (the little bar with a big heart) hosted a recognition buffet and fundraiser the evening of Veterans Day. The Roundup Saloon hosted a Veterans appreciation event to wrap up the week specifically crafted to allow the proper wearing of uniforms.
The uniforms came out. A young Marine bartender who no one knew was a vet, whose knees had been injured during his service causing his medical discharge, came out. A retired Army Lieutenant Colonel whose friend of many years did not know he was a vet donned his uniform.
There are many other such stories. But the one that will stick in my mind, alongside Wes, will be this one. I was in uniform in the parking lot preparing for the event. A car stopped and this young lady rolled down her window and said, "Thank you for your service, Chief." As it turns out, she had just retired from the Air Force. On that very day she and her partner had finally become bold enough to even drive thru district for the first time only to find a Chief in uniform.
To the one million LGBT veterans I say this. Be proud! You are no less a veteran than those we see marching in parades on November 11th. There is no cause to be less than proud of who you are and what you did. I ask you to stand with me. Stand and let your service be known. Stand so we can thank you for your service! Stand and be an example for those who serve today.
To those who serve today and to those patriots who wish to serve - help is on its way!
11-20-08 By Dave Gainer, Member, SLDN Board of Directors |
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