Posted on 09/22/2011 7:00:14 AM PDT by flowerplough
I was stationed on Guam in the mid-1980s. My squadron flew search and rescue while on the island and made regular deployments to sea. Aside from my duties as a naval aviator, I was also a division officer and had enlisted men and women reporting to me. Guam is only 13 degrees north of the equator—beach weather every day. Most military people used the military beaches; I was one of the folks who liked to travel around the island.
That’s how I discovered one of my men was gay. He was on the beach with his boyfriend, and although there was nothing going on that couldn’t be in a G-rated movie, there was no doubt that they meant more to each other than two buddies enjoying a day in the sun. When he looked my way, he froze, and I saw a flicker of fear on his face. These were the days before “don’t ask, don’t tell” (DADT), so his legal problems would have been criminal, not administrative.
I did what needed to be done: I walked over, said hello to my sailor and introduced myself to his boyfriend. We chatted about the nice weather and I bid them a good day and left the beach so they could relax. We never discussed it again.
Fast forward to 2008. I was driving home on a Friday afternoon, looking forward to a summer weekend, when my cell phone rang. It was a 202 area-code number (Washington, D.C.) and since I’m a member of the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel (CEP), I thought it might be important, so I answered it. It turned out to be an acquaintance, retired Rear Admiral Jamie Barnett. He asked me, “When are you going to talk to Admiral [Mike] Mullen about ending ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’?”
I responded, “Great idea. How am I going to get an appointment with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs?” and he gave me an insight: Admiral Mullen had appointed me to be on the CEP—he’d take my call.
Great post Norm! We need to add a reading or two with every Viking Kittie ZOT.
I’ve been trying but the Kittith seem to zottith pretty frequentith as of lateth ;)
Well flowerpluff, I see that you pushed yourself right off FR.
When you retread, be sure to do the same stupid stuff so we know it’s you.
Why, I might just turn your retread thread into an undead thread so we can laugh at you for an entire month.
S’awright with me! I’ve wanted that homopusher gone for a long, long time.
I believe that there are gays and lesbians who want to serve their country and who do not want to make an issue over their sexuality. That is essentially what DADT allowed.
Will homosexual service members who don't want to "come out" be pressured or shamed for staying in the closet by their homosexual brethern?
Homosexual leaders and activists who hate the military are more excited about this news than the homosexuals who are actually serving in the military.
There will not be much of an increase in the number of homosexuals who join the military.
I don’t feel the visceral impact of your past zot graphics with that one. Pretty though. :’)
Civ, that is so unusual! Where is my bloodthirsty friend?
I wanted to make it a bit more homosexual as a sendoff to the zottee. The lacy ZOT, the colorful image, they're FABulous!
last post:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2782116/posts?page=33#33
posting history:
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:flowerplough/index?tab=comments;brevity=full;options=no-change
:’)
No wonder I had no idea what you were doing. :’)
who was the other one? I missed it.
**who was the other one?**
Thanks. :)
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