Remembering General John Shalikashvili
The SLDN family rejoices in the long awaited certification that went up to Capitol Hill last Friday, but we also mourn the passing of one of our most important advocates and champions, General John Shalikashvili. Rear Admiral Al Steinman, a senior member of the SLDN Military Advisory Council, arranged for my predecessor Dixon Osborne, Aaron Belkin of the Palm Center, and several active duty and former service members - including Alex Nicholson and Jarrod Chlapowski, both of whom later founded Servicemembers United; as well as Timothy Smith and Patrick English - to sit down with General Shalikashvili to make the case for repeal. He listened intently, according to Admiral Steinman, especially to a young submariner who spoke eloquently and effectively, and the General's response to these service members and advocates helped change the repeal debate. In fact, the General made his ground breaking change of mind and heartfelt response clear in the New York Times when he urged Congress to get rid of the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law.
A big shout out to Admiral Steinman for leading this historic outreach to General Shalikashvlli and to Aaron Belkin of the Palm Center for working with the General and his family on the New York Times editorial. It was entirely fitting that in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Washington Post obituaries, they referenced the General's impact and contributions in getting repeal through Congress and the Pentagon. Today, we at SLDN salute this remarkable warrior and leader.
07-24-11 By Aubrey Sarvis, Army Veteran and SLDN Executive Director |
3 Comments
Comments for this entry are closed.Dino in Washington, DC on July 26, 2011 at 07.57 pm
I well remember the late General’s op ed piece in the New York Times in February 2007. Thinking back, it just demonstrates how far we have come in the past four years. I believe at that time, only a few retired flag officers, and none at four-star rank, had endorsed repeal of DADT. Not even the more progressive generals like Barry McCaffrey or Wesley Clark would touch the issue. At that time, General Peter Pace USMC, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called homosexuality “immoral” in defense of keeping the law. If there was any one, clear point when the tide began to turn, it was then. Courage begets courage, and I suspect that when Admiral Mike Mullen delievered his very eloquent testimony before Congress last year endorsing the repeal of DADT, he was inspired to do so because of General John Shalikashvili. RIP
Colonel Stewart Bornhoft, USA Retired in San Diego, CA on July 26, 2011 at 01.03 am
It is with a tinge of sadness and yet a sense of closure that I note the passing of General Shalikashvili on the day following Certification. Through the efforts of SLDN’s Admiral Steinman, USCG Ret, the former Chairman met recently active former Servicemembers and was persuaded to change his mind on DADT.
Admiral Steinman’s success in bringing Gen Shali’s voice BACK to the dialogue at a pivotal moment in the fight for fair treatment leaves a legacy of which they BOTH can be proud.
May General Shalikashvili rest in peace as the rest of us continue to fight for non-discrimination and benefit parity.
With deepest respect for you both,
A Retired Colonel
Bill on July 25, 2011 at 07.04 am
The loss of General Shalikashvili is enormous. There are different kinds of generals. Populist romanticism likes the Patton types who lead by making their own troops fear their wrath more than that of the enemy. Others, in popular culture the Bradley type, demand excellence in a way that never fails to show respect and promote growth even for those who commit errors (look how Bradley supported Patton!). Both win battles, but who would one rather work for?
We’ll read General Shali’s bio elsewhere, but if I’m not mistaken, he came to the world’s attention when he ably managed problems Kurds faced in Iraq after the first Gulf War. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, he did a great but quiet job—no media uproars. As an evolving supporter of ending DADT, it is tragic that his health started failing before he could have maximum positive impact—had he maintained his full vitality and effectiveness, I cannot believe that his prestige and influence would not have accelerated our snail’s pace approach to the end of DADT. I hope junior leaders in our armed services study him. No drama, just full success with core values and skills that make a great military leader.