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Injured Iraq Vet Booted Under DA, DT

The Stockton Record has a story in today's paper about Randy Miller, a soldier with the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, N.C., who was recently dismissed under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Miller, an Iraq war vet, was injured during a parachute jump in Iraq when his chute got cut away and his reserve chute didn't fully open. He fell 900 feet - and walked away - but later learned torn the meniscus in his left knee and damaged his right ankle. The military, however, didn't dismiss Miller because of his injury. They dismissed him because he is gay. "In Miller's case, he said he was in a known gay bar minding his own business when a male soldier made him a sexual proposition, which he rejected," The Record reports. "The rejected soldier reported Miller to a superior, and Miller was subsequently called in. He didn't lie. He admitted he was gay." In short, Miller became the latest victim of a law that has become known within the armed forces as a most effective weapon of vengeance. "With his two-year anniversary in the Army coming up, marking a promotion and pay raise, officials acted swiftly to discharge him," the paper notes. "It also meant he had to pay back a sign-on bonus he had already spent because he didn't fulfill his commitment." So much for a 'thank you' for service to your country. And, as I told the paper, "It's a slap in the face after otherwise honorable service to your country. That's unfortunately how it ends for many people in the service. It's absolutely unimaginable that in the 21st century that this is still an issue for our government." But, alas, it still is. But if there's one sliver of light in Miller's case, it may be the reaction of Army spokesman Cheryl Phillips, who told The Record that, "The law does not mean, though, that gays or lesbians can't join the armed forces. Gay, lesbian and bisexual soldiers doubtlessly are serving effectively in our armed forces today, as in the past." It's good to hear the Army publicly acknowledging that gays and lesbians serve honorably in the armed forces (though Miller neglects to point out that they cannot do so openly and honestly), but it leaves one wishing they'd also tell Congress that the ban is useless, and, even worse, counter-productive to our national interests. More military commanders need to speak up so that brave, patriotic Americans like Randy Miller are shown the respect they deserve, and not the shown the door, as they are now. - Steve Ralls

Labels: in the news

08-26-07