Happy Independence Day 2010

From sea to shining sea...

Happy Mother's Day

Today I honor my Mother on this day set aside for her and other Mommies! My mom raised six kids (four boys and two girls), sometimes alone, sometimes in less than ideal conditions. She worked two jobs for a number of years to keep us fed and clothed (and we all know being a Mother is a job in and of itself). She worked hard on the job and at home and she still found time to be a great Mother!

In more recent years, her health has declined (she's had two mini-strokes, she has diabetes and suffers from multiple sclerosis) a bit, and yet she remains upbeat, funny and loving. If I know her like I think I do, she is out planting her garden today.

We kids (and the grandkids) all love you, Mom!

Repeal DADT

I want to share with you the reason I believe it's time we ended "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." While my reasons are personal, they do not affect me alone, but the thousands of servicemembers who have knowingly joined our Armed Forces with the knowledge they could face expulsion for no reason more than being who they are. I risk much by even posting this release, but I do so anyway with trepidation.

I am a Petty Officer First Class of the U.S. Navy Reserve, having served for the past fifteen and a half years. I look proudly upon my service to our nation's Armed Forces. I have served three tours of duty in the Middle East (two in Kuwait and most recently in Afghanistan in 2008-09).

I will tell you that my service to our nation has been one of the greatest joys of my life, but the fact that I must do so closeted wears heavily on me.

When I joined the Navy in 1994, I had not given much thought to serving long-term, but when I hit the ten year mark I realized how much I have riding on my commitment to this nation. When I joined it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to serve in the world's finest Navy. I joined because Don't Ask Don't Tell gave me the opportunity to do so without lying.

But silence is a lie.

It pains me that to serve I must remain silent about who I really am; and to perpetuate an untruth. Our nation's Navy is based on the foundations of honor, courage and commitment.

Asking Sailors such as myself to remain silent, sometimes to lie, to hide, to divert attention is dishonorable. I look at my fellow Sailors who have the opportunity to share their lives, their family lives, their personal heritage and am joyfully glad to hear their stories, but when presented that same opportunity I find it painful to tell half the story, present tainted facts or just remain silent.

DADT offers half an opportunity for those gays and lesbians like myself to serve, but to remain as second class citizens, second class servicemembers; and second class recipients as protectors. DADT was implemented as compromise, but it also offered those of us to prove we could augment our nation's Armed Forces and do so honorably.

Most recently, we have served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as serving daily around the world in countless settings, but we have a long storied history of serving our nation dating back even as far as the Revolutionary War.

We have proven the world did not end when we signed up to protect this nation. I think of Sailors such as Allen Schindler, who was murdered by his fellow shipmates because there were no protections for him as a closeted gay Sailor. I think of Sailor Keith Meinhold who served the Navy well for 15 years, but was forced to resign because he is gay. I think of Sailor Jason Knight who was discharged, somehow readmitted and recalled to duty to serve in Kuwait in 2006 and then discharged yet again, yes, because he is gay. I think of a personal friend who I shall let remain nameless who received a dishonorable discharge from the Navy when it was discovered he was gay in the 1970s.

DADT is a lie. DADT is a cruel joke. DADT is dishonorable and must be repealed.

Many of our fellow allies in NATO and other countries such as Israel have long led the way to treat ALL of its servicemembers with the honor and dignity deserving of those willing, and sometimes who have died, to protect their national interests. I am appalled and saddened that our country, who has always prided itself in leading the world in promoting and protecting human rights, has fallen behind our allies. Even worse, with our current policy we virtually stand in the same league as Iraq, Cuba and China.... countries I feel shame that we share this commonality. I am reminded of the old adage. 'Lead. Follow. Get out of the way.'

Some of our leaders such as Senator John McCain obviously do not get it. For our nation to move forward into the 21st century, we must practice our preachings by treating every single citizen with the dignity set aside to us in the Declaration of Independence, where the words 'we hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL Men are created equal.' We cannot have it both ways. We cannot believe these words yet treat a segment of our population as second class citizens. Doing so is a mockery of the words and intent of our founding fathers.

Our nation cannot fairly accept our (and my) service to our nation if we cannot fully enjoy and reap the honor and rewards of serving our country in honor. I look forward to the day that I can proudly retire in four years and do so as an openly gay Sailor.

President Obama has said we cannot waste the talents of a single person willing to serve. The time has come to do more than pay lip service.

Action is needed now.

I respectfully ask your support in repealing DADT immediately.

The Tea Party Pledge (membership is free, leave your brain at the door)

For all the whiners out there who claim our government is out of control and turning into a socialist regime, then maybe you will agree to read and sign the Tea Party's Pledge.

This is for the doubters who decry the passage of the new health care bill awaiting President Obama's signature (tomorrow). I cannot take credit for the following, but I applaud its absurdities and the points it raises.

Enjoy!

To all Tea Party members, I urge you to take the following pledge before it's too late.

Please pass it on to fellow members:

I do solemnly swear to uphold the principles of a socialism-free society and heretofore pledge my word that I shall strictly adhere to the following:

I will complain about the destruction of 1st Amendment Rights in this country, while I am duly being allowed to exercise my 1st Amendment Rights.

I will complain about the destruction of my 2nd Amendment Rights in this country, while I am duly being allowed to exercise my 2nd Amendment rights by legally but brazenly brandishing unconcealed firearms in public.

I will foreswear the time-honored principles of fairness, decency, and respect by screaming unintelligible platitudes regarding tyranny, Nazi-ism, and socialism at public town halls.

Also, I pledge to eliminate all government intervention in my life. I will abstain from the use of and participation in any socialist goods and services including but not limited to the following:

•Social Security
•Medicare/Medicaid
•State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP)
•Police, fire, and emergency services
•US Postal Service
•Roads and highways
•Air Travel (regulated by the socialist FAA)
•The US Railway System
•Public Subways and Metro Systems
•Public Bus and Lightrail Systems
•Rest areas on highways
•Sidewalks
•All government-funded local/state projects
•Public water and sewer services (goodbye socialist toilet, shower, dishwasher, kitchen sink, outdoor hose!)
•Public and state universities and colleges
•Public primary and secondary schools
•Sesame Street
Publicly funded anti-drug use education for children
•Public museums
•Libraries
•Public parks and beaches
•State and national parks
•Public zoos
•Unemployment insurance
•Municipal garbage and recycling services
•Treatment at any hospital or clinic that ever received funding from local, state or federal government (pretty much all of them)
•Medical services and medications that were created or derived from any government grant or research funding (again, pretty much all of them)
•Socialist by-products of government investment such as duct tape and velcro (Nazi-NASA inventions)
•Use of the Internets, email, and networked computers, as the DoD's ARPANET was the basis for subsequent computer networking
•Foodstuffs, meats, produce and crops that were grown with, fed with, raised with or that contain inputs from crops grown with government subsidies
•Clothing made from crops (e.g. cotton) that were grown with or that contain inputs from government subsidies

•I will refuse summons for jury duty; he or she is guilty anyway, they were arrested after all, weren't they?
• I will not accept the thousands of dollars in federal benefits that are accorded by an act of government-sanctioned marriage

If a veteran of the government-run socialist U.S. military, I will forego my VA benefits and insist on paying for my own medical care

I will not tour socialist government buildings like the capitol in Washington, D.C.

I pledge to never take myself, my family, or my children on a tour of the following types of socialist locations, including but not limited to:

•Smithsonian Museums such as the Air and Space Museum or Museum of American History
•The socialist Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Monuments
•The government-operated Statue of Liberty
•The Grand Canyon
•The socialist World War II and Vietnam Veterans Memorials
•The government-run socialist-propaganda location known as Arlington National Cemetery
•All other public-funded socialist sites, whether it be in my state or in Washington, D.C., I will urge my member of Congress and Senators to forego their government salary and government-provided health care.

I will oppose and condemn the government-funded and therefore socialist military of the United States of America.

I will boycott the products of socialist defense contractors such as GE, Lockheed-Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Raytheon, Humana, FedEx, General Motors, Honeywell, and hundreds of others that are paid by our socialist government to produce goods for our socialist army.

I will protest socialist security departments such as the Pentagon, FBI, CIA, Department of Homeland Security, TSA, Department of Justice and their socialist employees.

Upon reaching eligible retirement age, I will tear up my socialist Social Security checks.

Upon reaching age 65, I will forego Medicare and pay for my own private health insurance until I die.SWORN ON A BIBLE AND SIGNED THIS DAY OF __________ IN THE YEAR ___. _____________ _________________________Signed Printed Name/Town and State

RIP, U.S. Navy Senior Chief Dawn Hunter

One of my closest friends in the Navy died this past weekend at the age of 37, far too young for someone so vibrant; of ever-positive outlook; so energetic and she, sadly has left behind so many who loved, respected and cherished her friendship, leadership and mentorship.

Ask anyone who knew Dawn and they would tell you she wore a smile brighter than the sunniest day--her warm comfortable smile and infectious laugh made you feel good knowing it was meant just for you.

I met then IT1 Dawn Hunter, like the rest of us when we reported for duty for Navy Customs Battalion PAPA in Norfolk, Va., at NMPS and later I got to know her even better while we were berthed (housing) at that rundown Clarion Hotel as we trained at NAVELSG's training grounds in Williamsburg, Va.

Dawn and I were in the same training team and became instant friends. I remember our first formation with us standing side-by-side. And the rest is, shall we say history. Senior Chief Kat Hotmer and Chief Joe Villa, our senior enlisted leaders, whipped us all into shape preparing us for the unexpected when we would step aboard that plane leading us to those hot sands of Kuwait.

During this period it was then I learned Dawn and I shared a love of running. One day we both decided we should starting a running club. It started with just the two of us, but soon blossomed to seven or eight of us running down the dark streets of Williamsburgh at 0500 .

During our six-mile runs we talked, shared philosophies, talked about our friends, families, pets (Dawn talked of her dogs and I of my cats) and other things that helped strengthen our friendship. Later as we neared the end of our training in Virginia, Dawn and few others arranged a small party in my honor on August 5, 2005. It was my 48th birthday and for me, a milestone as both my Dad and Granddad died at the young age of 47. Dawn knew I was nervous about this birthday and I'll never forget that night of fun and bad Mexican food (and me under a huge sombrero). Master Chief Powers, Chief Hatch, Chief Villa and Senior Chief Shindledecker even sang an acappella 'Happy Birthday to me'... and I owed it all to Dawn!

Dawn was always upbeat, always there for a friend, always caring and someone who could always be counted on for a word of advice. I know this will sound cliche, but she cared for everybody and would do anything to help them out.

When we arrived at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, we didn't see as much of each other. Dawn in HQ Company and me in Alpha, our schedules rarely meshed, still we found time to run on occasion, but more often than not, just to sit around and shoot the bull or share an occasional meal.

As our tour came to end in the spring of 2006, I had made my mind to stay behind with Customs Battalion QUEBEC, so I had to let my friends go back to the United States while I, and 30 others stayed behind to help the next group perform our customs mission. Dawn, again was the voice of encouragement.

Even with my friends from PAPA gone, I remained in touch with Dawn and was pleased to learn when she advanced to Chief Petty Officer. Was I surprised? Absolutely not! Dawn never did anything halfway and when she was pinned I wished I could have been there.

In the intervening five years since we deployed I often received an email from Dawn and with the advent of Facebook we kept even more closely in touch. She sent me emails while I served in Afghanistan in 2008 and I, in turn, kept in touch with her when she once again went Active Duty. I often thought about those lucky Sailors who would benefit from her leadership.

Just two weeks ago Dawn and I chatted online for about an hour. We talked about our new directions, she asked me about my cats and I asked her about training for a marathon whe want to run (naturally) and as we closed our chat, she told me she looked forward to seeing my name on the new Chiefs list this year. Those were our last words, but not my last thoughts of her.

Even with 900 miles between us, Dawn still offered encouragement and advice, offering support and best of all... her friendship. I will treasure that friendship and my memories of her. I know when I do make Chief I will see Dawn in my mind and know that she is looking down on me and the rest of us, her friends and comrades of U.S. Navy Customs Battalion PAPA.

And every time I go out to enjoy a warm sunny day, I will reminisce about Dawn's smile and how it was meant for me and for every other soul she met and helped become a better person. Dawn, you and the rest of the members of Customs Battalion PAPA became a family that year. You were an important part of that 'Navy machine' and most importantly, a part of our lives--we made a difference. What more could someone want out of life?

Now, when I am out running, I will imagine you running there to my left as we did so many times in Virginia, and will think of the friendship we had and I will remember you fondly.

Dawn, I know I speak for all of us PAPAs when saying I respect you, love you and will miss you forever!

Senior Chief Kimberly Dawn Hunter, U.S. Navy Reserve, February 23, 1973 - March 13, 2010, RIP

U.S. Navy photos by MC1 Greg Devereaux

Civilian photos courtesy of Dawn Hunter's family and friends