A fallen sailor, betrayed by his country

[William769]

Maybe on Memorial Day you’ll lower an American flag to half-staff and observe a moment of silence.

Maybe your family will place flowers by a grave, or a wreath on a memorial.

Maybe you’ll think of the many who have died in conflicts from the Civil War to today, or maybe you will think of one servicemember lost.

I think often of one servicemember, on Memorial Days, on Veterans Days, and on random other days as well, and I never knew him.

I have met Allen R. Schindler Jr.’s mother. I have interviewed people involved in the effort to keep his killer imprisoned. I have reported on the Chicago veterans who annually honor Schindler, gathering at his grave in Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Crete, Ill.

Schindler joined the Navy in 1988, at the age of 18, and he expected to record a great many great adventures in a notebook he purchased on his tour. But by 1991, Schindler was enduring a hellish existence aboard the USS Belleau Wood. He was a gay man in an institution that tutored its recruits in homophobia, that by policy and practice said gays are not to be treated equally, are not fit to serve. At least two sailors, Airman Apprentice Terry Helvey and Airman Charles Vins, took that to mean not fit to exist.

http://www.365gay.com/opinion/neff-a-fallen-sailor-betrayed-by-his-country/

[peace13]

1. So sad.

Thanks for this.

[11 Bravo]

2. When I lay flowers on my Dad's gravesite at Arlington this Monday ...

I will also say a little prayer for Petty Officer Schindler.

[William769]

3. You are such a sweet and caring person.

:hug: