Eric Alva : I was visited by President Bush, Laura Bush and Donald Rumsfeld (link added)

[Omaha Steve]

On March 21, 2003, my life changed forever.

Three hours into the Iraq War, I was in charge of 11 U.S. Marines on a logistical convoy when I stepped on an Iraqi landmine outside my Humvee vehicle and became the first American wounded in the Iraq War. The explosion was so powerful it blew me to the ground ten feet away and took off part of my right leg. I can still remember the ringing in my ears from the blast.

I spent months in rehabilitation where I was visited by President Bush, First Lady Laura Bush and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. I was recognized by the military for my service and received a Purple Heart award. I was also interviewed by several major newspapers and magazines and I made numerous TV appearances, including on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Yet despite all the attention and focus on my life, today is the first time I have publicly talked about my sexuality in relation to my military service.

To be honest, each time I was commended on my courage, I couldn’t help but remember how scared I was that I would be found out as gay and kicked out of the military. I remember the fear I felt when people around me in the military started debating the new “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy even before it became law. Still, my proudest moments during my 13 years in the military came when I would confide in one of my friends about my sexual orientation and they would still treat me with the same respect as before.

Although I’m no longer wearing the uniform of the U.S. Marine Corp, my mission continues to be protecting the rights and freedoms of all Americans. So as I begin my first day as national spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign's efforts to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't tell," I'm excited to be joining Rep. Marty Meehan at a Capitol Hill press conference today to reintroduce the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, legislation to repeal this broken and discriminatory policy. I will also join hundreds of HRC members from across the country on Capitol Hill this week to meet with congressional leaders during the Human Rights Campaign lobby day.

Join me today in fighting for the repeal of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” by sending a message to your representative to become a cosponsor of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (MREA).

Take action on the Military Readiness Enhancement Act today: http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/dontaskdonttell_alva


Please, take action right now because my sacrifice was for the rights and freedoms of all our citizens and did not exclude GLBT Americans – especially the estimated 65,000 gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans serving in the military who willingly and voluntarily risk their lives for our country.


Warmly,

Eric Alva
Marine Staff Sgt. (ret.)



P.S. Since Monday, HRC supporters have sent over 25,000 messages to congress about passing hate crimes legislation. Today, new legislation to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell is being introduced and we need your voice again. Take action today to support legislation to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell.


© 2007 The Human Rights Campaign. All rights reserved.
Human Rights Campaign | www.hrc.org
1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-3278
Phone: [phone] TTY: 202/216-1572 Fax: [phone]

[FreeState]

1. K&R thats what I call supporting the troops! N/T

[MelissaB]

2. I agree!

:kick:

[Maven]

3. K/R

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

4. This is getting the R's, we need kicks. After seeing the CID in the Army arbitrarily kick gays out,

it's utter crap that there should be any prohibitive issues on enlisting based on sexual orientation. Many years ago, I had a conversation in the day room of my barracks with a soldier who was being kicked out. She told me that she was being discharged in a matter of fact way as I warmed up something in the microwave.

I was stunned. This young woman was as focused, smart and capable person as I had ever met. Why on earth would the US Army be so incredibly clueless as to jettison someone who was destined to lead?

I asked her pretty much that question, shocked as I was, and she said, "Well, they found I'm gay." Double shock, since I lived with her, and I had no clue. edited to add, and that is not because it was shocking that someone could be gay, it was her ability to cover it up. We had openly gay men and women in the enlisted ranks, who didn't get kicked out. It seemed, once one attained a level of leadership, though, one was immune to that particular circumstance, however, the middle NCO ranks and PFC's were seemingly targeted. (must have been the grassroots of the Log Cabin Republicans).

Someone else in our company, who had demonstrated they had leadership ability in attaining Staff Sergeant, was unceremoniously removed, as well.

WTF??? Because they're GAY???

I'm distressed that fellow citizens are forced to fight just to join up, which I can understand is an incredible frustration, being denied the opportunity to serve the country you love, yet I don't want one more person to go there and those that are there to come home.:cry:

This really struck a nerve with me. His story is powerful. MKJ


:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

[calimary]

5. I'm HAPPY to kick this!

Just such a heart-rending story. What some people have sacrificed for their country. And I'm sure many of the chickenhawks in Congress and the Senate would probably condemn this young patriot for being gay. Or maybe for being "dishonest" when he concealed that fact. Go figure.

Someone who put his life on the line in this war should not be met with ANYTHING other than admiration, respect, and gratitude - and NO cuts whatsoever in ANY VA benefits, now and forevermore, amen!!!

[Morgana LaFey]

6. VERY cool

What a terrific spokesperson for this particular initiative. VERY, very cool.

[Drum]

7. Kick & Rec!

:kick:

[robinlynne]

8. wow.

[Kurovski]

9. K&R.(nt)

[Stephanie]

10. awesome!

K&R

[FredStembottom]

11. Now THAT'S courage!

:patriot:

[im10ashus]

12. GREAT POST!!!

K&R!!!

:kick:

[Maat]

13. This is profound AND neat!

What a superb HRC spokesman! There couldn't be a better spokesman for this campaign! He illustrates the point perfectly. He was one of the first who loyally and bravely performed his duty - and some would later denigrate this brave hero for a different part of who he is. This shows the craziness of doing such a thing.

[keepCAblue]

14. K&R

It's long past due that Clinton's DADT policy was abolished.

[Straight Shooter]

15. The gay-haters will say he deserved the landmine and should return his medals.

(I wonder if there's a hospital photo op pic of george rubbing Staff SSgt. Alva's head.)

Brave man, 100 percent. :thumbsup:

Here's the official military review of SSgt. Alva, back on July 23, 2003:
http://www.defendamerica.mil/profiles/jul2003/pr072803a.html

Less than four months ago, Staff Sgt. Eric Alva nearly died. On March 21, while serving with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines in Iraq, Alva stepped on a landmine. He broke his right arm and his right leg was damaged so badly it needed to be amputated.

However, his sufferings haven't dampened his mind and spirit. This was obvious to all who saw Alva accept the Heroes and Heritage Award July 13, at the National Council of La Raza during a special salute to Hispanics military presentation.

Major General Christopher Cortez, commanding general of Marine Corps Recruiting Command in Quantico, Va., was on stage and presented Alva with his award.

"SSgt. Alva is a credit to the Corps," said Maj. Gen. Christopher Cortez. "We are grateful for his faithful service and proud to honor him today."

[upenn264]

16. Bias?

He is on front pages in relation to his "coming out of the closet" but no where does the fact that he is the first wounded solider ever show up in the article.
I don't think the media is biased here - Rush calls it the drive by media, we call it the corporate media - if both sides hate it, then there must be something important there. But just the fact that he is the first wounded soldier, gosh!