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WINDY CITY TIMES
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Gay Sailor Serves After Being Called Back to Duty
by Bob Roehr 2007-05-09
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This article shared 3018 times since Wed May 9, 2007
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A sailor who was discharged under the anti-gay policy known as 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' was later called back to duty and is completing a one-year tour of duty in Kuwait.
The story of Petty Officer Jason Knight ran in the May 4 issue of Stars and Stripes. The daily newspaper has European and Pacific editions. It is backed by the Pentagon but operates with complete editorial freedom.
Knight said that on his wedding night in July 2004 he came to terms with his being gay, immediately told his wife and they had the wedding annulled. He also explained the situation to the Navy and was discharged.
'I spent four years in the Navy, buried fallen service members as part of the Ceremonial Guard, served as a Hebrew linguist in Navy Intelligence, and received awards for exemplary service,' Knight wrote in a letter to the newspaper. 'However, because I was gay, the Navy discharged me and recouped my $13,000 sign-on bonus.'
'Nine months later, the Navy recalled me to active duty. Did I accept despite everything that happened? Of course I did, and I would do it again. Because I love the Navy and I love my country. And despite [ Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Peter ] Pace's opinion, my shipmates support me.'
His supervisor backed that up. Petty Officer Bill Driver said, 'As open as he is now, it was under wraps for quite a while. It wasn't an issue at work.' |
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This article shared 3018 times since Wed May 9, 2007
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