News Reel

7/21/2009 6:04:00 PM

Army Specialist K.W.

It is with great pleasure and immense gratitude that I write you. As a Vietnam Veteran (US Army) and the partner of US Army Colonel K.W...

It is with great pleasure and immense gratitude that I write you. As a Vietnam Veteran (US Army) and the partner of US Army Colonel K.W. (deceased), I consider it a fine day in America as you bravely step forward to lead the end of the DADT policy by being the lead sponsor of its repeal. I was drafted into the Army in l968, and was terrified of being discovered for 3 long years. Shortly after my honorable discharge in l971, I met (then) Major K. W. We became partners, and he spent the remainder of his 30-yr service(3 tours in Vietnam)terrified of being discovered. He was honorably discharged in l986, after 30 years of service. I voted for Bill Clinton in 1992, specifically because of his promise to end the discrimination against gay people in the armed forces. After that appalling betrayal, and the indignities heaped upon us gay people in the hearings, which ended with the absurd "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" policy, I vowed not to rest until this anti-American policy could be reversed. I watched in gratitude as you valiantly defended us during the hearings last year. And now you step forward to do the patriotic, American thing...sponsor the bill which will grant patriotic gay people the right to serve their country in uniform. I and my many friends (gay, straight, service members, former service members and civilians) will be forever grateful for your courage. Sincerely, K.W.