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The First Federal Monument By and For LGBT Veterans
The first federally approved monument on federal land to honor LGBT vets was dedicated Sunday at the national cemetery outside Chicago.LGBT military veterans received some special recognition on Memorial Day.
The first monument honoring LGBT vets to be approved by the federal government and erected on federal land was dedicated Monday at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill., an hour south of Chicago.
The monument is the result of an effort by American Veterans for Equal Rights, Windy City Times reports. “This is the first monument for LGBT veterans created by LGBT veterans that will be dedicated at any cemetery in the National Veteran’s Cemetery System,” Chicago-AVER founder, vice president, and secretary James Darby told the paper prior to the dedication. “I never believed anything like this could’ve happened because we’ve been discriminated against for so long in many areas of life, including the military.”
Made of black and pink granite, the monument bears a pink triangle and the bronze service seals of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines. It is inscribed with these words:
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people have served honorably and admirably in America’s armed forces. In their memory and appreciation of their selfless service and sacrifice, this monument was dedicated by Chicago Chapter American Veterans for Equal Rights ‘AVER’ ( … with liberty and justice for all ).
http://www.advocate.com/politics/military/2015/05/26/watch-first-federal-monument-and-lgbt-veterans
26 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
Is someone chopping onions?
And I watched the news on Monday. That's maybe 40 miles from me.
I didn't see it on a national outlet.
Thank the stars for LGBT news! 
Beaut. 
so long in many areas of life, including the military.”
Good on American Veterans for Equal Rights, our Feds, and everyone else involved to make this happen, William! from a link in your link..
"I would be happiest if some LGBT veteran who had to serve under the burden of DADT throughout their entire career would be inspired to come to the monument ceremony so that they could stand in the flag line and be proud, validated, recognized and welcomed home by their own community," said Rayter. "I'm hoping that the Flag Line becomes a part of an annual Memorial Day tradition that recognizes the sacrifices and contributions that the LBGT community has made in the service and defense of our nation."
Mahalo~ 
Good on American Veterans for Equal Rights, our Feds, and everyone else involved to make this happen, William! from a link in your link..
"I would be happiest if some LGBT veteran who had to serve under the burden of DADT throughout their entire career would be inspired to come to the monument ceremony so that they could stand in the flag line and be proud, validated, recognized and welcomed home by their own community," said Rayter. "I'm hoping that the Flag Line becomes a part of an annual Memorial Day tradition that recognizes the sacrifices and contributions that the LBGT community has made in the service and defense of our nation."
Mahalo~
