by Greg Dunn

Created on: January 20, 2009   Last Updated: March 29, 2009

In my 20 years in the military, I have served with many servicemen and women. A good portion of these were gay. Individuals who wore their uniforms proudly, but had to hide their sexual preferences from their fellow comrades in fear of being ridiculed, court martial and even kicked out of the military. I always thought, "How ironic". To put on a uniform for this great country and swear to defend it. To be even willing to give the ultimate sacrifice, for freedom. Yet, we deny these servicemen a basic freedom. The freedom of loving one, whom they may love.

As we begin a new era, an era of "change", President Obama, should end the policy of "Don't ask, Don't tell" in the military. This will re-emphasize his proclamation made during his campaign of the country not being a red or blue country, but the United States of America. White, yellow, brown, red, straight, young, old and gay. It doens't matter because we are all one and deserve the freedoms this country has to offer.

By allowing gays to openly serve in the military, it would be one step closer to bringing acceptance into society. The "kids" enlisting into the military today have been brought up in a more tolerant environment. The taboo of being gay no longer means being shunned from society for deviant behavior. The polls show that the X and Y generations could care less if one is gay and believe they should be entitled to same benefits as heterosexuals. It is the baby boomers, who still have trouble with their neighbor not being like them and see gays as a threat.

If President Obama signed an Executive Order, allowing openly gays to serve, the military would not fall in shambles or mutiny. There might be some rumbling and discontent, but over time it would subside. The US military follows orders. He/She follows many orders, which they might not believe in, but know their part in the overall scheme. In time, the military serviceperson will accept his/her gay serviceman/servicewoman. This acceptance has been demonstrated in the 1990's with integration of women and their increase roles in the military and minorities in the 1950's and 60's.

It was 60 years ago, in July 1948 when President Truman signed Executive Order 9981, ending segregation in the military. An Executive Order which laid the ground base for "Brown vs Board of Education", Civil Rights act of 1964, Voting Rights, Integration of Neighborhoods, and being allowed to marry outside your race. Once integration of the military began, it allowed the white serviceman realize that working side-by-side with his "colored" counterparts, they developed friendships and respect for one each other. Overtime this brought the wall down and allowed acceptance into an integrated society.

It is time for this sexual orientation wall to come down. The time is right. This President is right for it. The military has demonstrated in the past it is the right place to start. But, most of all, it is the right thing to do. We must accept others for who they are.

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