Note: VGMH posted this last Memorial Day. This year, gays and lesbians who serve America are closer to the goal of equality (but not there yet).
“Stories from the Frontlines: Letters to President Barack Obama” is a new media campaign launched to underscore the urgent need for congressional action and presidential leadership at this critical point in the fight to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT).
As part of this campaign, the United States Servicemember's Legal Defense Fund, in conjunciton with others, is sending the President personal stories from soldiers. At the links below, you can read more personal accounts/letters to the President from soldiers such as Former Sergeant Darren Manzella (photo, right) and Former Corporal Juan C. Perezortiz (letter below):
May 26, 2010
President Barack H. Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
As an 18-year-old, first generation immigrant from Mexico and a newly sworn in American citizen, military service seemed the best way to repay my fellow citizens for giving my family and me a shot at a better life.
I enlisted in the Marine Corps as an Aircraft Ordnance Man. USMC Boot Camp was physically and mentally challenging, but it didn’t compare to the persecution I would encounter later in the Marines.
As a new PFC in an Aircraft Ordnance (AO) Shop in California, I developed a reputation for being a hard worker, always looking for extra duties and opportunities to expand my skills. As a result, my work ethic and excellent evaluations, I was promoted to an E3, a lance corporal. These were my best days in the military. Unfortunately, they were short numbered. With the arrival of a new gunnery sergeant, my career in the Marines soon became a struggle to survive.
The gunnery sergeant enjoyed socializing with the junior Marines in the shop, frequently taking them out drinking and to the strip clubs. I was expected to participate. I tried to be a team player so I would not be singled out. The shop soon became the squadron’s “frat pad.” Most conversation revolved around girls and hookups, often described by my comrades as “bitches and hoes.”
This behavior, beyond being tolerated, was often sponsored and enjoyed by my superiors. “Gunny” usually joined in, bragging about cheating on his wife. This environment was repulsive and contradictory to the core values of the Marine Corps: honor, courage, commitment — values I tried to live by. I was miserable, but felt powerless to do anything about it.
I still went out drinking with the guys, but tried to avoid going to strip bars or swapping stories about sexual experiences. But then Gunny became suspicious. He told me he suspected I was a “faggot” and that we should see what the rest of the guys thought about it.
Everything changed that day. My evaluation scores began to drop dramatically — from the 4.9 out of 5 average I had for three years to a 1.0. After obtaining copies of my evaluations, I learned that my direct supervisors’ scores had been crossed out and lowered by the gunnery sergeant. I had never failed at anything in life before and I was not going to let anyone tell me I was not a good Marine.
My only way out, I believed, was to transfer out of my unit. At first my requests were repeatedly denied. Eventually though, after numerous letters of recommendations from other military officers, I was transferred.
I was promoted and, when I left my new unit, I had numerous letters of recommendation. The detachment’s commanding officer wrote accolades such as, “You are a Marine with exceptional core values… a great asset to the Armed Services” and “You are a Marine of great caliber and will go far in your military career.”
Unfortunately, I was required to return to my former training squadron just months before my six year contract was up. I was back under Gunny’s command. Those last few months were a living nightmare. I constantly dreaded going to work and was afraid for my physical safety.
With the support of friends, I managed to serve eight years. I love the Marines and, under different command circumstances, I would have continued my service. In three weeks, I’ll graduate from the University of California, San Diego with a degree in structural engineering. With the your help and with open service in place at the Pentagon, I’d signup and serve my country again.
Mr. President, thank you for supporting repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” I hope that, with your leadership, no other service member will have to go through the persecution I endured in order to serve our country.
Respectfully,
Former Corporal Juan C. Perezortiz
United States Marine Corps
http://www.sldn.org/blog/c/letters
REMEMBERING THE COURAGE OF STRONG, GAY VETERANS
As noted in yeaterday's post, Mr. Matlovich was already an American military hero, when in 1975 (after he told his superiors he was gay), was booted out and disgraced from the service because of who he really was. After he died, a handful of gay veterans wanted to be buried near him. Here at Arlington National Cemetray can be found the tombstone of F. Warren O'Reilly, 1921-2001, whose stone bears the epitaph "A Gay World War II Veteran." and next to him is Tom "Gator" Swann (born in 1958, and still alive), but whose tombstone reads: "Proud Gay Veteran."
Each of us can help make a difference in getting equal rights for gay service men and women. The link below goes directly to the United States Servicemember's Legal Defense Fund. From there, everyone can send a free message to elected officials to vote to end stories such as the letter above by Former Corporal Juan C. Perezortiz (above).
.
http://www.sldn.org/action
“Stories from the Frontlines: Letters to President Barack Obama” is a new media campaign launched to underscore the urgent need for congressional action and presidential leadership at this critical point in the fight to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT).
As part of this campaign, the United States Servicemember's Legal Defense Fund, in conjunciton with others, is sending the President personal stories from soldiers. At the links below, you can read more personal accounts/letters to the President from soldiers such as Former Sergeant Darren Manzella (photo, right) and Former Corporal Juan C. Perezortiz (letter below):May 26, 2010
President Barack H. Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
As an 18-year-old, first generation immigrant from Mexico and a newly sworn in American citizen, military service seemed the best way to repay my fellow citizens for giving my family and me a shot at a better life.
I enlisted in the Marine Corps as an Aircraft Ordnance Man. USMC Boot Camp was physically and mentally challenging, but it didn’t compare to the persecution I would encounter later in the Marines.
As a new PFC in an Aircraft Ordnance (AO) Shop in California, I developed a reputation for being a hard worker, always looking for extra duties and opportunities to expand my skills. As a result, my work ethic and excellent evaluations, I was promoted to an E3, a lance corporal. These were my best days in the military. Unfortunately, they were short numbered. With the arrival of a new gunnery sergeant, my career in the Marines soon became a struggle to survive.
The gunnery sergeant enjoyed socializing with the junior Marines in the shop, frequently taking them out drinking and to the strip clubs. I was expected to participate. I tried to be a team player so I would not be singled out. The shop soon became the squadron’s “frat pad.” Most conversation revolved around girls and hookups, often described by my comrades as “bitches and hoes.”
This behavior, beyond being tolerated, was often sponsored and enjoyed by my superiors. “Gunny” usually joined in, bragging about cheating on his wife. This environment was repulsive and contradictory to the core values of the Marine Corps: honor, courage, commitment — values I tried to live by. I was miserable, but felt powerless to do anything about it.
I still went out drinking with the guys, but tried to avoid going to strip bars or swapping stories about sexual experiences. But then Gunny became suspicious. He told me he suspected I was a “faggot” and that we should see what the rest of the guys thought about it.
Everything changed that day. My evaluation scores began to drop dramatically — from the 4.9 out of 5 average I had for three years to a 1.0. After obtaining copies of my evaluations, I learned that my direct supervisors’ scores had been crossed out and lowered by the gunnery sergeant. I had never failed at anything in life before and I was not going to let anyone tell me I was not a good Marine.
My only way out, I believed, was to transfer out of my unit. At first my requests were repeatedly denied. Eventually though, after numerous letters of recommendations from other military officers, I was transferred.
I was promoted and, when I left my new unit, I had numerous letters of recommendation. The detachment’s commanding officer wrote accolades such as, “You are a Marine with exceptional core values… a great asset to the Armed Services” and “You are a Marine of great caliber and will go far in your military career.”
Unfortunately, I was required to return to my former training squadron just months before my six year contract was up. I was back under Gunny’s command. Those last few months were a living nightmare. I constantly dreaded going to work and was afraid for my physical safety.
With the support of friends, I managed to serve eight years. I love the Marines and, under different command circumstances, I would have continued my service. In three weeks, I’ll graduate from the University of California, San Diego with a degree in structural engineering. With the your help and with open service in place at the Pentagon, I’d signup and serve my country again.
Mr. President, thank you for supporting repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” I hope that, with your leadership, no other service member will have to go through the persecution I endured in order to serve our country.
Respectfully,
Former Corporal Juan C. Perezortiz
United States Marine Corps
http://www.sldn.org/blog/c/letters
REMEMBERING THE COURAGE OF STRONG, GAY VETERANS
As noted in yeaterday's post, Mr. Matlovich was already an American military hero, when in 1975 (after he told his superiors he was gay), was booted out and disgraced from the service because of who he really was. After he died, a handful of gay veterans wanted to be buried near him. Here at Arlington National Cemetray can be found the tombstone of F. Warren O'Reilly, 1921-2001, whose stone bears the epitaph "A Gay World War II Veteran." and next to him is Tom "Gator" Swann (born in 1958, and still alive), but whose tombstone reads: "Proud Gay Veteran."
Each of us can help make a difference in getting equal rights for gay service men and women. The link below goes directly to the United States Servicemember's Legal Defense Fund. From there, everyone can send a free message to elected officials to vote to end stories such as the letter above by Former Corporal Juan C. Perezortiz (above)..
http://www.sldn.org/action
4 comments:
Steve, I have to say -this not only pulls the heart-strings, but is also quite inspiring. These gents (and many others) remain vigilant and courageous -in spite of ignorance & discrimination. I did not catch this last year, so I Thank You for re-visiting! It should instill for all of us, the realization that there is still much work to be done! Great Post!
Thanks for a great post, and a great reminder that we still have a way to go to make sure that EVERY soldier in the US military is able to serve in an environment that respects their privacy and basic human rights and dignity, free from the kind of harassment and discrimination described in the letter in your post.
Thanks for providing this very important message in support of those who serve.
Kudos for finding something linked to Memorial Day, a day too often overlooked.
Thank you.
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