The “12,000 Flags for 12,000 Patriots” events in Washington, D.C., which Servicemembers United created and co-sponsored with several other organizations, are officially over. I originally conceived of the idea for this project while driving through Dahlonega, Georgia during Memorial Day weekend last year. This proud, quaint town lines its streets with American flags for about a week surrounding veteran-oriented holidays, with each flag representing a veteran from the area. The display makes for quite an impressive site several times per year, but I had to wonder how many of those being honored were gay or lesbian. If there were any who were, I wondered how their lives might have been affected by the anti-gay regulations and whether any of them had been the victims of those regulations, and later of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” over the decades. I also wondered whether the town would even put up a flag for someone whom they knew was discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
You’re probably beginning to see how the idea for “12,000 Flags for 12,000 Patriots” came about.
“Wouldn’t it be great,” I thought, “for those who had been discharged under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ to be recognized like this?” As the day wore on, I recall thinking through the idea more and more. At some point, it occurred to me that it would be absolutely amazing to put just such a display on the National Mall – in front of the nation and on the doorstep of Congress. As I envisioned what 12,000 American flags on the National Mall might look like, I grew more and more excited about the potential of such a unique and unprecedented event for the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” issue.
This past weekend, that idea came to fruition as we placed one flag for each servicemember discharged under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law on a grid across the National Mall. And on Friday, November 30th, the 14 anniversary of the signing of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law, we were joined by the heads of three other organizations that work on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” two 2-star generals, numerous other veterans, and a barrage of media to break the news of 28 new generals and admirals who chose our event to step forward to call for repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
As the Executive Director of the new Servicemembers United, I emceed this historic event, but the most personally rewarding part of the entire event was the planting of the first flag... which I did for myself.
You’re probably beginning to see how the idea for “12,000 Flags for 12,000 Patriots” came about.
“Wouldn’t it be great,” I thought, “for those who had been discharged under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ to be recognized like this?” As the day wore on, I recall thinking through the idea more and more. At some point, it occurred to me that it would be absolutely amazing to put just such a display on the National Mall – in front of the nation and on the doorstep of Congress. As I envisioned what 12,000 American flags on the National Mall might look like, I grew more and more excited about the potential of such a unique and unprecedented event for the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” issue.
This past weekend, that idea came to fruition as we placed one flag for each servicemember discharged under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law on a grid across the National Mall. And on Friday, November 30th, the 14 anniversary of the signing of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law, we were joined by the heads of three other organizations that work on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” two 2-star generals, numerous other veterans, and a barrage of media to break the news of 28 new generals and admirals who chose our event to step forward to call for repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
As the Executive Director of the new Servicemembers United, I emceed this historic event, but the most personally rewarding part of the entire event was the planting of the first flag... which I did for myself.
2 comments:
Goodonya, Alex. It was great to meet you in person. Thanks for everything!
Thanks Alex for that great event and a great idea. I'm amazed at all the wonderful work you're doing on behalf of those of us that serve silently. Thank you - TAK.
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