LGBT Veterans Monument dedicated Video below by Tracy Baim, Windy City Times 2015-05-25
This article shared 323 times since Mon May 25, 2015
The first federally approved monument on federal land honoring LGBT veterans was unveiled and dedicated in a grove at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery (ALNC) in Elwood, Illinois on Memorial Day.
The monument was made possible by the Chicago chapter of the American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER).
Lee Reinhartwho was discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," re-enlisted after repeal and is now president of the Chicago Chapter of AVERgreeted the gathering.
"I came back from Afghanistan at the end of the four years it took to make this (monument) happen," he said. "It has been an honor to serve again after the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell; to put this uniform on again and serve my country. … [It] was the leaders and politicians and supporters who made that happen and I'm extremely grateful."
Reinhart read names of LGBT veterans who have passed, including well-known veterans such as Leonard Matlovich. "Many of these are members of AVER and many from Illinois who served and today have a place that remembers them," he said.*
Jim Darby, founder and now vice president of the Chicago chapter of AVER, spoke of the chapter's beginnings, the work to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the work to close out that chapter with this lasting recognition.
Stanley J. Jenczyk, who spearheaded the project over several years, said, "Today the Chicago Chapter of AVER fulfills the promise, [a promise] that all those who served quietly made in their heartsthat all who served and gave their last measure be remembered. It is my great hope that all those who see this monument remember all who have served this great nation and especially our LGBT veterans … who have served from the founding of this nation."
U.S. Reps. Bill Foster and Robin Kelly spoke. U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley was represented by his LGBT liaison, Yonni Pizer, who read aloud the dedication Quigley read on the floor of the House for the LGBT monument. Sean Baumgartner, director of ALNC, welcomed the veterans.
The Organized Chaos motorcycle club formed a flag line around the ceremony, placing American flags for each name of a departed LGBT veteran read aloud. The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus performed the "National Anthem" and "America, The Beautiful." The invocation and benediction were given my three religious leaders, Father Chris Meyer, Reverend Wayne Bradley and Rabbi Cindy Enger. Taps was performed by Susan Jones and Melissa Terrell.
Also thanked in the day's program was Tod Tatsui, who did the artistic rendering of the monument. The monument cost $20,000; funds were raised by private donations.
At the closing, Army Major Melinda M. Rayter of Organized Chaos presented the ceremonial American flag to Jenczyk in recognition of his work on the monument.
* Some of the names of departed LGBT veterans which were read aloud were:
Catherine Boravina
George Buse
Ruth Marr
Larry McKeon
James Merrill
Stephen Michaels
Joe Nolan
Michele Parisi
Raymond Rivera
Walter Rusterhloltz
Allen Schindler
Bill Schneider
Ronald Schwed
Chuck Swanson
Richard Stuckey
Randy Williamson
This article shared 323 times since Mon May 25, 2015
Out and Aging
Presented By
ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE
Three films score 10 nods each in Chicago Film Critics Association's 2023 Awards 2023-12-08 --From a press release - Chicago, IL (December 8, 2023) — The Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) announced nominees for their top film honors of 2023; winners will be announced at the organization's annual awards ceremony to be held in Chicago ...
Trans actress, gay actors, 'Kokomo City' receive Spirit Award nominations 2023-12-06 The nominations for the 39th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards have been announcedand LGBTQ+ actors, directors and productions definitely made their mark. Trans actress Trace Lysette was announced as one of the nominees for Best Lead ...
'She was here...and she is here': Street to be renamed after Elise Malary 2023-11-30 By Alec Karam - The memory of the late activist Elise Malary will soon become a permanent part of Andersonville's Catalpa Avenue. The renamed "Elise Malary Way" will encompass the Catalpa Plaza area, a planned pedestrian plaza between Ashland Avenue ...
Out sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson receives multiple honors 2023-11-17 Over the past few weeks, LGBTQ+ sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson has received several honors. The city of Dallas honored LGBTQ+ sprinter Sha'Carri Richardsontwice, according to LGBTQ Nation. Her former high school named the track where she ran ...
SHOWBIZ Music awards, military film, Tom of Finland, Yo-Yo Ma, 'Harley Quinn' 2023-11-17 Video below - Brothers Osborne—a duo that includes gay brother TJ Osborne—won Vocal Duo of the Year for the sixth time at the recent CMA Awards, per a media release. Backstage, TJ told reporters, "I did not expect us ...
AVER celebrates LGBTQ+ veterans at annual Veterans Day dinner 2023-11-12 Writer and historian Owen Keehnen was keynote speaker at the the American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) Chicago Chapter's 32nd annual LGBTQ Veterans Day Banquet held on Veterans Day at Ann Sather restaurant on Belmont. Keehnen ...
State Sen. Mike Simmons receives awards 2023-11-01 Openly gay Illinois state Sen. Mike Simmons has received the 2023 U.S. Senator Paul Simon Public Service Award from the Illinois Hunger Coalition. Simmons was honored at high school alma mater, St. Ignatius College Prep, according ...
Sky player receives WNBA's sportsmanship award 2023-10-30 The WNBA announced that Chicago Sky veteran center Elizabeth Williams is the recipient of the 2023 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award, per a press release. The award is given to a player that exemplifies the ideals of ...
South Korean court upholds military 'sodomy law' 2023-10-28 For the fourth time, South Korea's constitutional court has upheld two anti-LGBTQ+ lawsincluding the country's notorious military "sodomy law," The Guardian reported. By a vote of five to four, the court confirmed the constitutionality of ar ...
State Treasurer Michael Frerichs honors LGBTQ+ leaders 2023-10-18 --From a press release - Gay Men's Chorus, Bar Association president, DePaul art professor honored during LGBTQ+ History Month celebration CHICAGO — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today hosted a celebration to commemorate LGBTQ+ History ...
Black Excellence Awards taking place Nov. 6, will feature avery r. young 2023-10-17 The Black Arts & Culture Alliance will present the 23rd Annual Black Excellence Awards on Monday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. at the Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St. Hosted by Melissa Duprey, this year's ...
SHOWBIZ Holiday TV movies, GLAAD concert, Janet Jackson, muscle-fem singer 2023-10-13 Hallmark has revealed its full slate of holiday movies—and there are more than 40 films, Entertainment Weekly noted. Among the movie's stars are Lacey Chabert, Jonathan Bennett, Luke Macfarlane, Phylicia Rashad, Nikki DeLoach, Andrew Walker and ...
Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inducts 2023 recipient class 2023-10-04 The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame (founded in 1991) held its annual induction ceremony Oct. 3 at the Chicago History Museum. These individuals and organizations were chosen by 29 previous Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductees ...
Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.
All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).
The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.