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| Arlington National Cemetery (photo from Army.mil) |
I rarely comment on the things I post on
What Are You Really Afraid Of? (http://whatareyoureallyafraidof.tumblr.com/) The
stories and pictures I choose usually illustrate the bigotry, intolerance, and
ignorance of the "anti-gay rights" movement better than my words can.
Today, however, I must sound off.
The American Family Association (AFA) is angry that gay
soldiers might be buried in the "hallowed ground" of Arlington
National Cemetery.
(
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/13/american-family-association-gay-couples-buried-arlington-national-cemetery_n_2678325.html)
First, I find it sad that the leaders and members of the
AFA have nothing better to do with their lives than trying to deny honor to
people who fought and died for their country; to people who fought and died for
the AFA's right to even exist and espouse their ridiculous beliefs!
Second, I find it funny that the AFA doesn't realize
there are already gay people buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Our
country's fallen heroes have been buried at Arlington since the Civil War. Gay
people have been around since the beginning of time!
Does anyone truly believe none of the gay people who have
served in our military were killed and buried with honor at Arlington?
Now, I challenge the AFA to look at the rows of
headstones lining the rolling hills of that cemetery, and tell me which of the
fallen were gay! And, then, tell me why it matters?
In addition, I challenge them to look at those who visit
the graves and tell me what their relationship to the fallen is? Is it a
father, a mother, a brother, sister, husband, wife, son, daughter, best friend,
lover, comrade?
Is the sacrifice made by a gay soldier somehow less than
that of a "straight" soldier? Is the pain and loss felt by those left
behind any less for a same-sex mate?
I served in the U.S. Army. In Basic Combat Training, by
the simple logic of the Army, the man in the bunk next to mine was my
"Battle Buddy." He and I became fast friends. We endured the physical
and mental tests of BCT together. After training, I went to Panama, and he went
to South Korea.
Years later, after we'd both left the Army, we found each
other on Facebook. That's when I found out he is gay. You know what? It doesn't
matter. I don't care that he's gay. It doesn't make a bit of difference to me.
He remains my friend and battle buddy.
How does who a person loves affect the honor they receive
for serving their country? For giving -- in the words of Abraham Lincoln --
"the last full measure of devotion" to the United States.
The AFA is not only
bigoted, intolerant, and ignorant, but also unpatriotic and ungrateful for the
sacrifice made to protect their freedom.
