In mid October, American Veterans for Equal Rights was invited to participate in "Diversity and Unity Day" aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune on coastal North Carolina. Three members of Georgia Chapter made the eight hour drive to participate in the event at Lejeune, "Home of Expeditionary Forces in Readiness." We were joined there on Friday by members of who helped us distribute information, share personal stories, and discuss issues about LGBT veterans, service members, and our families. We participated in the event with other military minority groups - Jewish, Latino, Women, African-Americans, Pacific Islanders - who were there to share their history, their service, and their contributions to the United States Marine Corps and other branches of our nation's military. I met one of the first African-American Marines, a World War II veteran from a segregated military, and one of the first women Marines, a veteran of the Korean War. Our story as LGBT Americans and our fight for the right to serve was in no way unique.
 

Left: AVER's display at Diversity and Unity Day Above: Danny Ingram and AVER GA President Jesse Dennis with Sergeant Major Paul A. Berry, Sergeant Major of the post

We shared photos of LGBT veterans and service members from General Friedrich von Steuben to Generals Patricia Rose and Tammy Smith. We displayed our Soldier's Shrine dedicated to Major Alan G. Rogers, and shared the stories of Andrew Wilfahrt and Donna Johnson. We spoke with veterans, service members, and many school children. We met Lejeune Deputy Commander Colonel Yori R. Escalante, himself the son of a Spanish family, and Sergeant Major Paul A. Berry, Sergeant Major of the Post. He and I shared the same words: "Its all about learning to respect each other."

On the previous day we placed a wreath proudly bearing a ribbon of AVER - American Veterans for Equal Rights, Inc. at the Beirut Memorial on the 31st anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Beirut Barracks that took the lives of 240 United States Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers. We read a poem, played taps, and placed the wreath. We were joined by Soldiers and Sailors from Outserve. It was a very moving experience.
 

AVER's wreath at the Beirut Memorial, reading the poem The Other Wall at the Memorial

To me the experience at Camp Lejeune was a homecoming. Sometimes you have to visit a new place to come home. At Lejeune I was an openly gay man and a respected member of the military family. I repeated over and over again to many people how honored we were to be invited to participate in this event. And they could not have asked for a better, more honorable, or informative presentation. Part of our mission at American Veterans for Equal Rights is education, and we can be very proud that this goal was achieved at Camp Lejeune in the very best traditions of the United States military and the veterans and active duty military who serve to defend our freedom.  Diversity is a strength, both in our nation and in our military.  LGBT service members and veterans are part of that diversity.