A Decison Made Years Ago Comes To Fruition

[gennee]

I generally don't watch TV much but I have a few favorite programs. I watch the Military Channel quite a bit. Last night I watch a program about the Korean War. I am also fascinated by WWII footage. What I want to say here is that a decision I made almost 40 years ago impacts me today.

I watch the Military Channel because I want to understand why we went to war and the men and women who served. I love to listen to these men and women share their experiences. Being a veteran myself, I share a kinship with them. On the program I watched last night, one vet stated that he didn't go out to be a hero-he and others like him were just doing their duty. They remember the battles fought, the buddies they fought with, and the buddies they lost.

In 1971, there was much anti-war sentiment about our involvement in Vietnam. I was drafted but later enlisted. When asked why, I said that it was the right thing to do. My time in the service was three of the best years of my life. Fast forward to 2006, I had no intentions of joining a vets group. When someone invited me to a meeting of American Veterans for Equal Rights, I went. A short time later, I became a member. Today, I am the Treasurer of my local chapter.

Later that year I marched in the veterans day parade. Looking at all the vets from wars past it really hit me that I was part of a unique group of men and women who served our country with honor and pride. Here it was 35 years later that a decision I made would come to fruition. I didn't know that I was transgender back then. Today, I am proud to call myself a transgender veteran. There are about half dozen transgender people in my local chapter.

I think much about the men and women who served in the armed forces. I am saddened that many good people are being drummed out of the service under Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I look forward to the day that it will be repealed. Many more stories by out vets need to be told, especially LGBT veterans.

I only thought about writing this and this is what came from my heart.

Gennee

[Guest SusanKG]

Hi Gennee,

It's a bit of a trite throw-a-way line used often nowdays and perhaps not really meant, but thank you for your service. Those of you who did serve in the Viet Nam era were not treated right; were blamed for a war that became very unpopular. I did not join, but was drafted in '68, and failed the induction physical. I was not disappointed - I was not and am not military material, and I was one who by that time did not support that war, but without people willing to serve, we would be doomed.

SusanKG

[Guest brenda lee]

I generally don't watch TV much but I have a few favorite programs. I watch the Military Channel quite a bit. Last night I watch a program about the Korean War. I am also fascinated by WWII footage. What I want to say here is that a decision I made almost 40 years ago impacts me today.

I watch the Military Channel because I want to understand why we went to war and the men and women who served. I love to listen to these men and women share their experiences. Being a veteran myself, I share a kinship with them. On the program I watched last night, one vet stated that he didn't go out to be a hero-he and others like him were just doing their duty. They remember the battles fought, the buddies they fought with, and the buddies they lost.

In 1971, there was much anti-war sentiment about our involvement in Vietnam. I was drafted but later enlisted. When asked why, I said that it was the right thing to do. My time in the service was three of the best years of my life. Fast forward to 2006, I had no intentions of joining a vets group. When someone invited me to a meeting of American Veterans for Equal Rights, I went. A short time later, I became a member. Today, I am the Treasurer of my local chapter.

Later that year I marched in the veterans day parade. Looking at all the vets from wars past it really hit me that I was part of a unique group of men and women who served our country with honor and pride. Here it was 35 years later that a decision I made would come to fruition. I didn't know that I was transgender back then. Today, I am proud to call myself a transgender veteran. There are about half dozen transgender people in my local chapter.

I think much about the men and women who served in the armed forces. I am saddened that many good people are being drummed out of the service under Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I look forward to the day that it will be repealed. Many more stories by out vets need to be told, especially LGBT veterans.

I only thought about writing this and this is what came from my heart.

Gennee

Gennee, I too served in the military and had some what of an idea that I was transgendered .I too put up with alot for who I am . I will be so happy when all of our sisters and brothers can serve openly. I was very greatful to have a close friend who was a FTM brother to talk to and only a coulpe of officers who accepted me for who I am .Both nhappened to be GG's and one was a true sister to me. I felt a real close bond to her and my FTM brother. Last Veterans Day I made a donation to a military support cause in my birth name and my true self, it felt great to do something for the true me who had to keep hidden . LOL BrendaLee

[Guest Michele H]

I served from 70 to 78 and then a stretch in the reserves in early 90's. Even though I didn't personally support the war, I'm glad I served. Most of my time in the ASA, I was "native" and that probably saved me since the few times I was actually on a base, I could be in almost any kind of a costume and it wouldn't be questioned - at least not once they saw my orders (kind of like the carry letter I keep in my purse). One thing I have not yet done is to file my name change with the VA. It has been almost a year since my name was legalluy changed and it is weighing on me that I have not done so yet. Anyone have any experience with getting your dd214 updated with your new name and dealing with the VA in general?