Editor’s note:
With this piece I’m very happy to officially welcome to the blog my partner, Caleb Eigsti, who earlier this month wrote, “Pro Vs. Con: Gay Rights Battle At University of Nebraska.” He also took the photos for this piece.
Note from the author: I am a student on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). My political views are not important to this piece; my sexual ‘preference’ has nothing to do with this article, and the fact that I have never served in the Military or any U.S Armed Forces is irrelevant to the facts and message that should be sent throughout America.
This week the College Democrats of UNO paid tribute to all the fallen soldiers of the Iraq war. This event is held every year and includes a field full of American flags, as well and a student with a microphone saying the names, ages and branch of service of the individual soldiers.
Today, many things shocked me. Today, I walked over on the east side of campus and heard some of the names being spoken. Many were younger then I am. There was only one name I heard that was older than I was and he was still a young man. My heart instantly went out to those that have lost a loved one in this war and to those who have lost their lives for this country; to those who have sacrificed so much so that I could live free.
It is because of these individuals, and honestly so many more, that we are the country we are today. It is because of their sacrifice every single day that we will be the country we will be in the future.
However, this is where my brain went in many different directions. The main direction that it went was: How many of those soldiers died holding onto a secret? Holding on to the secret that they were gay? How many men and women have given their lives to this country, knowing that the very country they were defending, with their lives I might add, never did accept them for who they were? This country didn’t even want them. This country has rejected these very people daily for years upon years.
When will this country get it? “Don’t ask, don’t tell†is an abomination to the free will, and freedom this country preaches at every level of its society. When will this country really look at the rest of the policy that is in effect? It’s called “Don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t pursue.†What happened to the “Don’t pursue†part? What happened to the 13,000 plus jobs that have been lost because this country has become complacent with current policy and with the lives of its citizens? When did this country get more comfortable with killing than with loving? It’s like the famous quote that appears on Leonard P. Matlovich’s grave, “When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one.â€
So forgive me for shedding a tear on campus today for the lives of those that have not only lost their job because of who they are, but to those who have sacrificed the greatest thing in order to protect every one of us; the truth of who they are and whom they love. I hope you will take a moment to remember those who have been discharged under the abomination of the law “Don’t ask, don’t tell,†but also that you will not forget to remember those who have taken everything to the grave. Those who have stood on the front lines of our battlefields with their secret written on their hearts and given their lives to protect the values of our country.
And I say, how dare you! How dare you tell anyone they can’t serve this country because of whom they love. How dare you reject someone who desires to protect the freedoms and liberties awarded to its citizens based on the way they were born, whether gay, or transgender, or lesbian, or bisexual. How dare you tell these people with your actions AND your words that they are not good enough to fight for what they believe in?