Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN

Keeping the Faith

I wanted a simple meal. I pulled into the restaurant, noticing a bus in the parking lot. Inside, the place was packed and the hostess seated me next to a large tour group. That group was a collection of World War II veterans. These old men, some very frail, had once saved the world by their actions. I ate in the company of heroes. A Marine veteran told his Iwo Jima story. While listening, I observed the other diners; parents explaining to their children who these men were and what they had done. As a fellow veteran, I was proud to be part of that long tradition of service to country that stretches from Lexington and Concord to Iraq and Afghanistan. I felt a deep kinship with these men that transcended any of our differences.

I realized that we are not so removed from our founding fathers as we sometimes think. We truly are the keepers of their faith in freedom and equality, resolved to furthering the great experiment that they started. In my childhood, the old men I gazed upon had been World War I doughboys - who fought at Belleau Wood and in the Argonne. Those World War I veterans, as children, would also have looked upon men, who in their youth fought at Shiloh or Gettysburg. In turn, those men, as boys, would have seen men who in their past endured at Valley Forge and were victorious at Yorktown. In a mere three life-spans, we are connected to our ancestors who risked everything to found our great nation.

Through the years, the men and women of our Armed Forces have preserved the freedom and liberty that was so hard won by our Patriot forefathers. In that time our nation and our military have evolved because we have repeatedly had "new births of freedom" bought and paid for by the sacrifices of those in uniform - all of those who wore the uniform. The military has benefited from these rebirths. Now African-Americans serve throughout the forces rather than being relegated to support billets and segregated units. Women fly tactical aircraft and command warships rather than be restricted to administrative duties. Our current force is the best in history because of this evolution. But the force can be even stronger.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" undermines our military and denigrates the sacrifices of the 65, 000 gay and lesbian patriots currently serving. As I reflect upon the contributions of our men and women in uniform this Veterans Day, I think of the 1 million gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender veterans who have served. And I also think of those dedicated, experienced, battle-hardened warriors who are thrown out of the military simply because of their sexual orientation.

Keeping the faith with our forefathers demands we ensure that freedom, liberty and equality apply to all, especially to those who serve in defense of these ideals. Keeping the faith demands that we repeal this law to allow America and our military to further evolve and become stronger. It is long past time for another rebirth of freedom. It is long past time we honor all our vets.

11-07-08 By Paula Neira, SLDN Board of Directors |