 |
28 New Generals and Admirals Call for Repeal of DADT
A group of 28 new general officers have stepped forward to call for repeal of DADT in a statement released on Friday, November 30 at the press conference for Servicemembers United's "12,000 Flags for 12,000 Patriots" event on the National Mall. The statement, which is reprinted below along with the officers' names, called on Congress to overturn the DADT law and commended those who are forced to serve under the cloud of DADT for doing so honorably.
Also included among the officers' remarks was a reference to the change of heart of another retired general, former JCS Chairman Gen. John Shalikashvili. Servicemembers United members met with Gen. Shali prior to his decision to call for repeal of DADT and were specifically cited by the general in his New York Times op-ed announcing his new position.
Former Navy Petty Officer First Class Rhonda Davis was responsible for getting these 28 new generals and admirals to come forward and sign the statement released on November 30. After being discharged under DADT herself, Rhonda decided to speak out immediately and get involved in several projects to help oppose the law that led to her own firing. We are proud to have had the results of Rhonda's hard work on this issue released in conjunction with our event.
STATEMENT OF GENERAL OFFICERS:
We respectfully urge Congress to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Those of us signing this letter have dedicated our lives to defending the rights of our citizens to believe whatever they wish. As General Colin Powell, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said when the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy was enacted, it is not the place of the military or those in senior leadership to make moral judgments.
Scholarly data show that there are approximately one million gay and lesbian veterans in the United States today, as well as 65,000 gays and lesbians currently serving in our armed forces. They have served our nation honorably.
We support the recent comments of another former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General John Shalikashvili, who has concluded that repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy would not harm, and would indeed help, our armed forces. As is the case in Britain, Israel, and other nations which allow gays and lesbians to serve openly, our service members are professionals who are able to work together effectively despite differences in race, gender, religion, and sexuality. Such collaboration reflects the strength and the best traditions of our democracy.
- Lieutenant General Jerry Hilmes; Branch: Army
- Vice Admiral Harold Koenig; Branch: Navy; Field: Medical
- Vice Admiral James Zimble, Midlothian, VA; Branch: Navy; Field: Medical
- Major General Leslie Burger, Vancouver, WA; Branch: Army; Field: Medical
- Major General Alexander Burgin, Salem, OR; Branch: Army National Guard; Field: Artillery
- Major General Michael Conrad, McLean, VA; Field: Infantry
- Major General James Delk, Fair Oaks, CA; Branch: Army; Field: Medical
- Major General Jack Farris, New Jersey; Branch: Air Force; Field: Aviation (pilot)
- Major General Fred Forster, Tennessee; Field: Aviation
- Major General David Hale, Hampton Bays, NY; Field: Combat
- Major General Randy Jayne, McClean, VA; Branch: Air National Guard; Field: Aviation (pilot)
- Major General Dennis Laich, Dublin, Ohio; Branch: Army; Field: Military Police
- Major General Dennis Malcor, Vine Grove, KY; Branch: Army; Field: Combat
- Major General Michael Scotti*, Arlington, VA; Branch: Army; Field: Medical
- Major General Harry Sieben, Minnesota; Branch: Army and Air National Guard
- Major General Lawrence Johnson; Branch: Army Reserve
- Brigadier General Clara Adams-Ender, Woodbridge, Virginia; Branch: Army; Field: Medical
- Brigadier General Dale Barber, Waverly, NY; Branch: Army; Field: Infantry Engineer
- Brigadier General Harold Bowman, Pleasant Hill, IA; Branch: Army National Guard; Field; Medical
- Brigadier General Douglas Bradley, Diablo, California; Branch: Army; Field: Medical
- Brigadier General William Colvin; Branch: Army National Guard
- Brigadier General Bob Hardy; Branch: Army
- Brigadier General JD Johnson, Salt Lake City, Utah; Branch: Army
- Brigadier General Phil Peay, Utah; Field: Engineering
- Brigadier General Robert Poirot, Evergreen, Colorado; Branch: Army; Field: Artillery
- Brigadier General Philip Pushkin, Randallstown, MD; Branch: Army National Guard
- Brigadier General Donald Schenk, Troy, Michigan; Branch: Army; Field: Combat Systems
- Brigadier General Daniel Wardrop, Williamsburg, VA; Field: Artillery
- *General Scotti passed away in September, 2007 after agreeing to sign onto this statement. His widow has requested that he remain on the statement.
|