a great soldier, son & human being raised by magnificent parents. i salute your son for having had the courage to perform an honorable duty. to the wilfahrt family, god bless you and your son, may he rest in peace in heaven.
Your son is a hero, thank you for bringing him into this world. God bless you, your son, and your family. Thank you for your sons service to our country, Thank you for his life ensuring the safety of us all.
Politics is moot for this serviceman and his family. I hold them in my prayers and in my heart. I know the hurt of a child lost too soon. I pray peace for them.
FOR WHATEVER IT MEANS I SALUTE HIM . I'VE NEVER SERVED
HE MAKES ME FEEL PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN (GAY OR NOT) WHICH IS A FEELING THAT HAS BEEN WAVERING FOR ME THE PAST DECADE.
I WISH I COULD SAY TO HIM "THANK YOU" IN THE MOST HEART-FELT MANNER BUT I GUESS IT WON'T MAKE MAKE MATTERS BETTER ANYWAY. HE PARENTS DESERVE TO BE PROUD.
Heartbreaking. ='( If only this were required viewing for the entire band of GOP hatemongering legislators, most of whom haven't spent a day in the military.
I was in the same unit as CPL Andrew Wilfahrt and i knew him very well. He was the ideal soldier. He never talked bad about anyone and he always had your back. He is and will always be missed by his team, squad and company. May Andrew C. Wilfahrt rest in peace. To the Wilfahrt family I am sorry for your lost of a great fried, great and soldier and a even better son.
What amazing Parents the Young Man was fortunate to have. God Bless you and keep you in the years ahead. I am sorry for your loss as a Veteran I know you are speaking the truth.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilfahrt, I am so sorry for your loss. I just saw you on Rachel Maddow's show and I wanted to send you my condolences and tell you how much I admire you, as you, in your grief, support other GLBT people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are truly wonderful people.
Thank you for sharing your family story. Very heart-wrenching. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Thank you for your advocacy. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Political gain aside, this is a beautiful tribute from wonderful parents to their beloved child. Be proud of him for all he was. I know I am, and I never knew him. With love, deepest sympathy, and utmost respect from Scotland.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilfahrt, the two of you are the epitome of good parents, Mr. Wilfahrt, your words today at the rally at the Minnesota State Capitol building were among the most articulate, heartfelt and moving denunciations of the stupidity of anti-gay policies I have ever heard. What a fine tribute to your dear son. How very proud of you Andrew would be. My condolences to you for your terrible loss.
Thank you Lori and Jeff Wilfahrt for your sophisticated and touching thoughts! And thank you for your courage to step forward in order to give faces to the mourning of families that have experienced the ultimate sacrifice; even more so when telling a story that is still rarely told, because of the irrational prejudice and hence impending social stigma in the eyes of those who have the narcissistic compulsion mastering the lives of others based on their unfounded beliefs.
I'm not an American, but as a patriot coming from a country that has had deep scars from several wars; I can greatly value and honour the dedication and patriotism of your son Andrew Wilfahrt and his peers. Gay soldiers have defended their communities and the values onto which our societies have been built in every battle right from the very beginning. They have perseveringly done so even when they have not been fully appreciated as citizens at all times.
So sad that Andrew was not granted the opportunity to fully benefit from the wind of change in the US military. However, I hope it's of some comfort that he had the daring to be genuinely himself and that his peers had the integrity to appreciate the trust and honesty. It's without doubt that your support, love and guidance helped him to accept his homosexuality in early stage; you have given him the keys to a life with fulfilment and happiness. Not much more precious one could give to children.
What a brave and wonderful young gay man. My deepest sympathies to the entire Wilfahrt family. What a tragic loss, and thank you for this touching video which is a great tribute to your son, and to the great and loving parents you both are.
BTW, with regards to your sleep and shower situation, you;'re a little late on the times since there are Homosexuals, Bisexuals, and Heterosexuals in showers and sleep quarters together in Fire Depts, Police Depts, University Dorms & Showers, High School showers, Public Pool showers, Public showers, Sports clubs showers and spas, College gyms...basically everywhere. Where have you been?
"...they don't die for patriotism, they die for each other." Such a powerful statement. Thank you Andrew for your service and my deepest condolences to the Wilfahrt family.
I'm a retiree from the USAF. Yet kept a low profile during my service, knew that at any given time I would be called to be at the front line to do what I'm ought to do; safeguard with my life and body my comrades from any rank, property, and help to move forward the assignment imposed on me. An enemy bullet doesn't recognize gender,rank,race,creed,family,religious beliefs, nor sexual orientation. It only recognizes a body, a mass of flesh to take down. Bashing on religious beliefs is out.
When I was younger, I believed that homosexuals were generally more sensitive, creative and intelligent. Then there was the fight to join the military, and I realized that gays can be just as much of a tool as us heterosexuals.
Brave man, brave American and two amazing parents. I truly am touched by their honesty and bravery in sharing their son's life. You and your son are my heros.
A very moving video, I must admit it brought tears to my eyes. We in the UK have had gay service men and women in our armed forces for years now and its as these brave parents say it's just not an issue with our troops. I'm glad to see the USA is now coming to relise this Its about time this crap bigoted policy goes at last.
Thank you Cpl Andrew Wilfahrt, for dying for the freedoms of the GLBT community of America and dying for those who actually hate you for being born a Homosexual.
Seriously, this term "Homosexual lifestyle" is no different from the "Heterosexual lifestyle" so get over it will ya
These lovely parents are careworn beyond the pale. Their son gave his life in the service of his country and they are living and giving to their country, during the worst time of their lives. reverence and awe is what i feel for them.
R.I.P. Corporal. Thank you for your service! You ARE a hero! I was stationed at Air Bases in Korea and Viet Nam and was NOT the only gay airman on those bases. I witnessed a recruit in basic training being put in a segregated barracks before being dis-honorably discharged. Openly ridiculed, he jumped off the balcony trying to "escape". I believe he survived physically, but the mental damage had been done, just as if he were a POW. I will never forget that scene. Put DADT behind us!!
It's always sad when a parent outlives their child. Many blessings and love goes out to Andrew, his family, friends, and everyone in the armed forces. <3Ro.
Thanks! Andrew Wifahrt for your service. We American's are so fortunate to have had you in the military. To his parents. Thank you for sharing your story and Andrew's story. My we learn and improve the world because of Andrew's ultimate price he paid for his fellow soldiers. I for one am changed because of Andrew Wifahrt's story. Thanks!
DADT exists for one purpose and one purpose only: Christianists. Christianists across this country demand mythology in their lives because they're petty and small-minded. THEY were the creators of this bizarre and ridiculous law (and passed by Christianists politicians) and they need to be reminded that this country is not a Christian nation, but rather a secular one. Villifying gays is immoral.
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@AlphaGeminorium Excuse me, but prohibition against homosexual behavior in the US military existed since the founding of this nation. All the Founding Fathers, including George Washington, wanted to be it like that. George Washington was not a bible believing Christian, therefore "Christianist" argument of yours, does not make any sense. Besides, why does one assume that disapproval of homosexual behavior means villyfying gays? America isn't Christian nation, but it's not a secularist either
@sammy1251980 What is homosexual "behavior"? Just stating the fact that you're gay shouldn't be a reason for someone to be discharged from the military. It has nothing to do with behavior at all. You can't honestly say that someone like Andrew Wilfahrt should have been discharged simply because of who he is.
@MattGuyOR Homosexual behavior means having sexual or affectionate (kissing) intercourse with the person of the same sex, and the prohibition against it in the US military existed way back since 1776. I was in the military, and I know for sure that it is mostly has to do with this kind of behavior. For the record, it was before DADT was passed in 1993, when a mere statement "I'm gay" could get people kicked out, after 1993, there had to be more evidence presented proving that a person
actually practices homosexuality. Let's stick to the facts, please. I simply wanted to find out, why Christianists have to be blamed for this regulation that existed for 250 years, since many Founding Fathers could not even be called Christians because they didn't believe the Bible? Also, I still would like to know why disapproval of homosexual sexual acts means villification of gays?
@sammy1251980 ...an odd question? Can you be heterosexual and not fall in love, with expectations of a future of being together and having intimate relations? Yeah, there all those Priests, well, then again -- maybe not. Gay Folk are human beings with all the needs and wants and desires of the rest of humanity. Right wing christianists have been going after gay people since Anita Bryant began pulling oranges out her bum to throw at gay men in Florida. Were have you been? Andrew was a hero&gay
@douglasokc thanks for your answer regarding intimate relations. I know about Anita Bryant, but what she was doing had nothing to with military regalations. Military regulations prohibiting homosexual conduct existed since 1776, and the people who invented them were not Christians, let alone Christianists, way before Anita Bryant. I simply wanted to learn where did AlphaG got the idea, that it was only Christians and Christianists to blame for this very old law?
@sammy1251980 Many people have historically bigoted against gays, and still are. Hardcore Christians are among this group. So, they're not really the victims here.
"I still would like to know why disapproval of homosexual sexual acts means villification of gays?"
My first answer would be "How can it not be?". My second would be that you can feel how you like privately. As soon as your disapproval becomes a rule, then, yeah, it's bigotry. Dress it up as civilly as you like.
@bbmcrae Let me demonstrate something: my grandma disapproves of me riding motorcycle, she even told me that she thinks it's disgusting, but she still loves me and was not villyfying me as a person. So to me, it's the same for gays and homosexual sex. I'm not claiming anybody being a victim here, but I think the latter argument doesn't make any sense.
@sammy1251980 Okay, but being gay is nothing like riding a motorcycle. You choose to ride a motorcycle. You are born gay. Or straight. Or both. Your argument is based on her loving you in spite of a choice. Disapproving of gays is saying "I disapprove of how you fundamentally are". Again, if you do disapprove, you have every right to feel that privately. What happens in the bigger world is those private feelings turn into laws.
Btw, I appreciate that we are disagreeing in a civil way.
@DSKKorp So I chose to be straight? Wow. Did not know that. And gay kids whose parents disown them, or classmates beat on, they chose to be ostracized? Neat.
@DSKKorp I'm not being butthurt, or whatever fratboy term you want, I'm pointing out that's likely to be used by others as a sneaky way of saying "And that's why homosexuality is a choice." Where are the gays who grow up in straight houses learning it from? Honest, no butts hurt here.
@DSKKorp Um...no. There's an overwhelming amount of evidence that it's genetic. Observe: the animal kingdom and thousands of species that display homosexuality. Observe: fruit flies which, in laboratory tests, have been genetically "switched" from hetero- to homosexuality and back again, with no ill effect to the organisms. The proof exists, even if we haven't found the exact genes that cause it in humanity.
@bbmcrae well, I certainly believe that homosexual orientation (feelings and attractiveness) is NOT a choice. I think we are in agreement, here. This is even what Catholic Church teaches. However, to me, any sexual acts (whether homo or hetero) are ALWAYS a choice. That's not rocket science, that's common sense. Perhaps, many Christians think that gays should be celibate, but that's where people need to agree to disagree. Like I said before, military laws are different from civilian laws.
@sammy1251980 Thanks. I'm just saying people can feel what they feel in private. I personally feel pity for them feeling disapproval. When they start making laws based on those feelings, well, then we got trouble.
@sammy1251980 "Prejudice of any kind implies that you are identified with the thinking mind. It means you do not see the other human being anymore, but only your own concept of that human being. To reduce the aliveness of another human being to a concept is already a form of violence."
@sammy1251980 OK, selective inforcement is the issue. Until the mid 1940s with the Kinsey report, people thought that there were very few gay people. Sodomy laws were directed mainly at heterosexuals until then. So what you are missing in your thinking is how much fear and religious prejudice have to do with WHAT law is enforced and against whom. Lawrence v Texas 2003, the Supreme Court put gay men into the constitution as equal citizens; do you homework sammy and you will understand more.
@douglasokc I am familiar with Lawrence v. Texas. I studied about it while I was taking classes on prelaw. However, Justice Kennedy made it very clear that decriminalization of sodomy laws applies to civilian life ONLY, not to the military. Btw, serving in the military is not a civil right, as per 2nd amendment. Perhaps, even back in 1776, when the prohibition against homosex in the military was established, it was believed it targeted heteros only engaged in homosex, right?
@sammy1251980 Well, you should have read Scalia's dessenting opinion in. Law.vTexas. You will see that his predictions are coming true. This 2003 decision by the court put gay people into the constitution as equal citizens for the first time and is bedrock in the california marriage case as well as DADT. In June of 2003, right after the court made its call, Oklahoma declared their sodomy laws null and void. Look to military history of black folks' and women's service, slowly it became a right
@douglasokc I disagree with Scalia's opinion and I don't like they way he expressed it. However, the facts remain the same: Lawrence only decriminalized private homosexual acts, it didn't declare these acts to be civil rights that everybody has to approve of. Military regulations are still separate from civilian laws, athough there are similarities, but not all. Both openly gay judges have been misreading Lawrence when they ruled against prop 8 and DADT.
@sammy1251980 You are missing the forest for a couple of trees you think are important. Law.vTexas gave gay men standing with all the rights of an American citizen. That never had happened before. Add findings of fact by Federal Courts, like in the Prop 8 trial, and you have a Victor Hugo moment: No King, no country, no standing army can stop an IDEA whose time has come. Would you want a military without women, gay folk, and African Americans? Those born way after 1980, just don't care. gay-ok
@douglasokc I guarantee what's going to happen if DADT will tecnically be repealed: we will reinstitute a draft, so everybody will have an equal opportunity to serve in the military. Also, if we allow women to serve in combat: there's going to be a lot protests among people screaming: 1, 2, 3, 4, we don't want this fucking war!
@shenadoa what are supposed to do when people will be voluntarily separating from the military, the draft will be the only solution in order to make sure that the military is still being served. Also, do you really think that our society is going to be happy when beautiful girls, who could be supermodels, or mothers with little children at home, will be fighting a war in another country, and coming home in body bags in large numbers?
@shenadoa would you want your daughter, or sister with 3 baby kids to be in the middle of fierce ground combat dodging bullets? 50% of military women have children, so why should we send them to combat, the most likely place of having them killed? apparently, this happens to be the fantasy of liberal radicals. where's their humanity, for crying out loud?
@sammy1251980 Most people spend their entire life imprisoned within the narrow limits of their own thoughts. They never go beyond a narrow mind-made, personalized sense of self that is conditioned by the past. In you, as in each human being, there is a dimension of consciousness far deeper than thought. It is the very essence of who you are. You experience this consciousness when the constant conversation in your head stops and stillness comes.
@sammy1251980 Does it make any difference if the person in the body bag is a supermodel looking female or a regular looking or unattractive person, male or female. It is a life wasted. War is barbaric and a very outdated means of resolving conflict.
The homophobia, racism, and misogyny in the military needs to end.
@nikkidane Maybe it doesn't matter if a woman coming home in the body bag is a supermodel type or unattractive type, but it does matter if such a woman has kids at home, and half of the women in the military are like that. Only women can be good mothers, taking care of children, providing them with their motherly needs. Therefore, disallowing women to serve in combat is not an act of misogyny but an act of humanity and common sense.
@sammy1251980 Really? You're going to pick this video's comment section to complain about the dadt repeal and women's right to serve? I think that says all I really need to know about you.
@LewsTelamon I didn't pick anything, I was simply responding to the issues brought up by other people. Like I said before, I don't care if DADT gets repealed, but it will be followed by the reinstitution of the draft. Women are allowed to serve, but they are not allowed to serve in combat unit, if that's going to be allowed, American people will be protesting the war, just like it was during the Vietnam.
You offer zero proof for what you say but that's not my point here. This is a video meant to honor a man who died for his country. Would you plaster tombstones with flyers espousing your politcal beliefs? I would hope not, so carry your crap elsewhere.
@LewsTelamon If liberal social engineers are allowed to state their opinions so should I. Why can't it be that what they offer is crap? A bunch of people brought up the subjects of Christianists, of blacks, of women, so I thought it would be okay to contribute to a discussion. Or I'm guessing maybe it's totally fine to show an honor for a man who died for his country by bashing Christians and denigrading the Bible, and promoting a secularist nation?
And you're somehow above the pettiness you decry of liberals because you're a conservative social engineer? I didn't endorse the christian bashing (which is at best childish), but I chose you as your posts were more salient to the point of the video. You have yet to provide any evidence to your claims, but I will commend you for not denigrating the fine man remembered in this tribute. These arguments can be held somewhere else besides a memorial video in my opinion.
@LewsTelamon You didn't endorse Christian bashing, but AlpahGerminorium did. Check his comments above, so I was wondering if his comments were in any way relevant to the memorial of Cpl. Andrew? Evidence to what claims? About whether things were better for gay troops before DADT? About the subject of women in combat? Please, be specific.
No I don't endorse Alpha's comments, I already said such christian bashing is childish. To be more specific i'm addressing your claim that the dadt repeal will cause a national draft, which has no factual basis. Again i'd rather carry out this converstaion through personal messages because I find it rather disrespectful to do so on a memorial video.
@sammy1251980 said, " For the record, it was before DADT was passed in 1993, when a mere statement "I'm gay" could get people kicked out, after 1993, there had to be more evidence presented proving that a person"
Obviously you're in denial, when in fact Army Lt. Dan Choi came out on National TV and subsequently discharged. So yes, even a mere statement "I'm Gay" can get one kicked out without any "evidence presented proving that a person actually practices Homosexuality"
@jusitke07 Dan Choi said a lot more than I'm gay, he talked about his partner and that it was good...don't want to go there, and he did it on TV, so everybody knew about it, thus he brought all the evidence with him. If he would have not gone on TV, he'd probably still be in. So, what are you suggesting: that before 1993 when DADT was enacted people were not getting discharged for admitting being gay? are you saying that before 1993, things were better?
@jusitke07 I couldn't get a link to this video. But I have seen numerous interviews with Dan Choi, how he bragged about having a partner, and how good it was. The last straw was that he publicly announced that he was a member of Knights Out, a gay rights organization. There were members in his unit, who knew that he was gay in a relationship, but advised him to keep it down. However, he chose to make a publicity on TV, and for that he got fired.
@jusitke07 Now, I got to see it. This video has been edited out, but Mr. Choi has made other public interviews when he said he had a partner. Under DADT, gays can serve as long as they don't make public announcements about who they are and who they like. My position still stands: if Mr. Choi would have not gone on TV, he would still stay in. Thus, I don't think I'm lying but I think that you are picking a fight with me.
@sammy1251980 When this interview was done with Rachel Maddow, Lt. Choi then subsequently got discharged as a result of that declaration alone. So you're probably right, but he may have said it after being discharged, but he never said anything about his "partner" prior to or during his interview with Rachel Maddow. And if you go to this video,
watch?v=mKDQwh1hQww
...fast forward it to 1:20:14 through 1:20:25...and listen.
@jusitke07 I did watch it, as matter of fact, I have recommended you to see exactly the same video. What a coincidence. If you fast forward it to 8:53, you'll see that he talks about his relationship being the motivation for his activism. If remember correctly, his bosses knew about his private life, allowed him to serve but ordered him to keep it quiet. He refused and went on Rachel Maddow's show on public TV. It looks like he got punished more for HOW he did it, not for what he hid.
@jusitke07 I don't hate anybody and what anybody's doind in their personal life at home, including homosexuals. But I would hate it if I see homosexuals flaunting their homosexuality in front of everybody in places like sleeping berthing on a ship or tents in a field, where people of the same gender sleep and shower together. People who openly behave this way, erode unit cohesion and disrupt discipline. As a veteran, I know I'm talking about.
@bbmcrae What can I do, when people keep on asking me questions? Like I said before, I don't care what gays do in their private civilian life, but I do care what they do in the military, because I'm a veteran and it affects me personally.
@sammy1251980 Obviously, you take other's homosexuality very seriously. Let's make sure everyone avoids upsetting you in this world. Got that, everyone. Stop gaying up around this guy! Problem solved, amigo.
@bbmcrae Buddy, you have never upsetted or offended me. As for the guy, I see him as a fellow veteran who deserves the same honor and respect as I and all other veterans do.
@sammy1251980 Okay, I was just needling you. I respect what you're saying, and I thank you for your service. But, ultimately, you're saying that Cpl Wilfahrt shouldn't have been allowed to serve because it makes straight guys uncomfortable. And I respectfully disagree on that. I hear you, but I disagree.
@bbmcrae Please, don't put words in my mouth. I have no other comments about Cpl Wilfahrt than I already said. Not knowing him personally, or seeing his work and personal behavior, I can't make any judgment whatsoever whether he should have been allowed to serve. My belief about DADT still stands: it is not that bad the way gay rights activists portray it. But my personal belief about DADT has to do just with my personal experience and only. It has nothing to do with the man.
@sammy1251980 You seem respectful and civil. Just, please also understand the frustration many people - not just gay activists - have with a group of people being treated like less-than-equals in this day and age. Personal offense for some becomes the basis of exclusion. In the end, however, I have never served, and don't know the day-to-day realities of serving. Or of being gay, while we're at it.
@sammy1251980 You're attacking a video dedicated to the memory of a Gay Veteran who died for his country. Just like how the Westboro Baptist Church attacks at veteran funerals with their "God Hates Fags" signs. Have you no conscious with yourself or some descency? A little respect goes a long way.
@jusitke07 I have my utmost respect for this veteran who happened to be gay, I said it twice, but I believe that my rebuttals to the criticisms of DADT is an entirely separate issue.
@sammy1251980 Then how about you do it at another youtube site that is not dedicated to a loved one and talks about the DADT policy specifically? Because by immediately sending an message on promoting DADT, a policy that directly affects the personal life of this Gay Veteran in a negative way doesn't seem to be respectful at all.
@jusitke07 wasn't it you, and some other people here, who started posting comments here attacking "Christianists" and promoting a secularist nation? To me, it looks like using this man's life as a tool for guiltripping the people who believe that DADT's repeal should be put on hold. This is beyond disrespect of the Cpl Andrew's memory. Also, how about you finding a youtube site dedicated to SLDN?
@sammy1251980 Nope, it wasn't me attacking with the comments of "Christianist" And much to you dismay, there are Gay Christians in America too, so much for your secularist nation argument. Look them up if you want because they do exist. But hey, how about I find an SLDN youtube site, if you find a Westboro Baptist Church and/or Focus on the Family youtube site....deal?
@sammy1251980 Oh please. Anybody can read between the lines. You're just as conservative as they are, so don't try and disassociate yourself from them. By you coming here and bashing a youtube site dedicated to an American Gay Veteran makes you a wolf in sheep's clothing
@sammy1251980 I've served 13 years, and counting, in the military, and I can count the many times i hear conversations of guys in every unit I served flauting their heterosexuality talking about a hot chick they saw at the bar or the strip bar, or their daily lives with their wives. And yet the homosexual veterans, by law, have to remain silent about trying to flaunt their sexuality. Well repeal soon happens, BOTH will express their sexuality openly.
@jusitke07 Yes, this is true about guys talking about the girls they like. However, military men are prohibited to flaunt their sexuality directed at fellow military women, insinuating that they find them hot. For this reason, men and women are living separately. However, gay men and women who still live together in same quarters, could flaunt their sexuality directed at other men and women whom they find attractive. Such a behavior denigrades unit cohesion and discipline.
@sammy1251980 said, " military men are prohibited to flaunt their sexuality directed at fellow military women, insinuating that they find them hot."
Wow, how much more clueless can you be? Once repeal happens, the sexual harassment policy will apply to everybody. That means a man cannot flirt with another man while in the professional military workplace just a man cannot flirt with woman in the work place. Hello? And did you not read my other post with regards to showers and living spaces?
@jusitke07 I would give you the benefit of a doubt, because I like what you say and it makes sense to me. I've seen comments about showers, but they were dealing only with civilian jobs environment. In these environments, people are still able to go home, unlike it happens in the military, where people live together, away from their families for like 6 months on deployment. This is the military policies are different.
@sammy1251980 Oh please. Civilian jobs are no different from military jobs. There are Heterosexual men in Civilian jobs doing work far away from home and having extra marital affairs with female prostitutes, one night stands with a female at a bar, etc. And it's the same thing with Heterosexual military men both overseas and right at their unit station close their home. And a shower, in general, is a shower whether in the military or civilian world. Gays, Straights and Bisexuals are all there.
@SeanChapin1 but homosexuality does involve sexual activity involving people of the same sex, known as homosexual behavior. The US military has been against it for 250 years. I'm sure you knew well what I meant, so I'm wondering if you just want to pick a fight with me?
@sammy1251980, I believe that the US military should disapprove of any kind of sexual activity happening among soldiers during military operations, whether heterosexual or homosexual, and I would think that this would also apply with companies/organizations and employees while on the clock. To me, it shouldn't be a matter of if someone is attracted to a man or to a woman; everyone should be treated equally.
@3:46 perfect statement on what soldiers truly die/fight for despite what politicians tell you. It's universal throughout the history of war no matter what country or time period.
My heart bleeds for Andrew's family and friends. Over the years, many of us closeted gay soldiers served, survived and went on. Andrew's parents support for Andrew are inspiring as is Andrew's selfless sacrifice. I only wish those who oppose gays serving openly in the military could speak from some experience rather than from ignorance or fear. Rest in Peace Andrew.
It's really sweet that this family speaks highly of the army and the way they have been treated. However, I wonder if it were his husband and adopted son instead of his parents. Would his husband receive the same the same treatment? Would he get compensation from the army just as a wife would. Would the husband and adopted son be flown out to Dover? Something tells me not.
I'm not trying to be a negative Nancy over hear but I think it needs to be said.
@mapietil. There is currently someone going through the process of being discharged. There is no halting to the discharges just because the bill was signed.
I am formerly from Minneapolis and again Minneapolis makes me proud. Thank you for this video and its message.
President Obama, please act now to enforce what you signed in formality, to repeal 'Don't ask, Don't tell.' America does not care about the sexual preference of the servicemen. It is time to show our respect and support to the many gay servicepeople in actions, openly.
Thank you again, Mr. and Mrs. Wilfahrt. Thank you again, Minneapolis.
IF a man or a woman is willing to put there life on the line to protect you and enlist in a career where the chances of return are against there favor. let them have that act of duty and honor. Because in the end all are equals. The truth of the matter is the old phrase rings louder each generation. United we stand divided we fall. an there is more division each generation.
@nwuguy23 All DADT discharges are being held up right now, we are not aloud to discharge them. Doesn't mean that they are off the hook, if everything doesn't go through then yes we will then discharge, but right now we're just waiting for everyone to get trained up so that we can just shred these horrible discharge papers. The reason for not being able to discharge is because the law is changing right now, why discharge when they can get back in, in a couple months? Doesn't make sense.
RIP brother, you are a hero. We will continue the fight for equality. Your country is indebted for your service and you exemplify everything that is good about the world. I never met you or your family, but love all of you as if you were my own.
The repeal and implementation have not been certified or completed. Servicemembers are still subject to discharge if they "come out" before the repeal is cerified.
Thanks for sharing about your son. It's been a year, but people still talk about him as a positive influence.
mambeux 5 days ago
a great soldier, son & human being raised by magnificent parents. i salute your son for having had the courage to perform an honorable duty. to the wilfahrt family, god bless you and your son, may he rest in peace in heaven.
bubsboogie 5 months ago
Your son is a hero, thank you for bringing him into this world. God bless you, your son, and your family. Thank you for your sons service to our country, Thank you for his life ensuring the safety of us all.
aeonjoey 6 months ago
Politics is moot for this serviceman and his family. I hold them in my prayers and in my heart. I know the hurt of a child lost too soon. I pray peace for them.
TheSquid4life 8 months ago
R.I.P brother.
ReconRaptor 8 months ago
Who the fuck disliked this?
EricMarinelli 8 months ago 3
I'll be honored to have a friend like him!!!
people like Andrew is what makes our country a better society.
chris03653837 8 months ago 3
Andrew is a true hero.
god bless him and his family.
chris03653837 8 months ago
IN MY EYES THIS MAN IS A HERO.
FOR WHATEVER IT MEANS I SALUTE HIM . I'VE NEVER SERVED
HE MAKES ME FEEL PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN (GAY OR NOT) WHICH IS A FEELING THAT HAS BEEN WAVERING FOR ME THE PAST DECADE.
I WISH I COULD SAY TO HIM "THANK YOU" IN THE MOST HEART-FELT MANNER BUT I GUESS IT WON'T MAKE MAKE MATTERS BETTER ANYWAY. HE PARENTS DESERVE TO BE PROUD.
IVIIIVV 8 months ago
Heartbreaking. ='( If only this were required viewing for the entire band of GOP hatemongering legislators, most of whom haven't spent a day in the military.
cos2mwiz 8 months ago 2
R.I.P. I hope u are good in heaven.
myzackfair01 8 months ago
I was in the same unit as CPL Andrew Wilfahrt and i knew him very well. He was the ideal soldier. He never talked bad about anyone and he always had your back. He is and will always be missed by his team, squad and company. May Andrew C. Wilfahrt rest in peace. To the Wilfahrt family I am sorry for your lost of a great fried, great and soldier and a even better son.
SPC Bishop, Francis
3rd PLT, 552 MP CO
We miss and love you Andrew.
TheBishopkid 8 months ago 21
@TheBishopkid Peacekeepers 4 life...RIP Wilfahrt and Mason
JoeBob12985 1 month ago
For this I would change my mind and support Memorial Day. I still deny the efficacy of the killing machine called military
furbiefrnd 9 months ago
What amazing Parents the Young Man was fortunate to have. God Bless you and keep you in the years ahead. I am sorry for your loss as a Veteran I know you are speaking the truth.
1234uz 9 months ago 2
Mr. and Mrs. Wilfahrt, I am so sorry for your loss. I just saw you on Rachel Maddow's show and I wanted to send you my condolences and tell you how much I admire you, as you, in your grief, support other GLBT people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are truly wonderful people.
mscoyote50 9 months ago 2
Thank you for sharing your family story. Very heart-wrenching. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Thank you for your advocacy. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
devdev22001 9 months ago
Hugs. x
breakingthisdown 10 months ago
R.I.P
RyanR495 10 months ago
Political gain aside, this is a beautiful tribute from wonderful parents to their beloved child. Be proud of him for all he was. I know I am, and I never knew him. With love, deepest sympathy, and utmost respect from Scotland.
russell0769 10 months ago 2
Let us remember that he gave the ultimate sacrifice.
barmason3 10 months ago 2
may his soul rest in peace. condolences to cpl. wilfahrt's family and friends.
apatheticpsycho04 10 months ago
Mr. and Mrs. Wilfahrt, the two of you are the epitome of good parents, Mr. Wilfahrt, your words today at the rally at the Minnesota State Capitol building were among the most articulate, heartfelt and moving denunciations of the stupidity of anti-gay policies I have ever heard. What a fine tribute to your dear son. How very proud of you Andrew would be. My condolences to you for your terrible loss.
morrieh 10 months ago 3
@morrieh
de nada, the truth is always easy to speak
Jeff Wilfahrt
trhafliw 10 months ago
I am sorry for the loss of your son...his memory is a blessing on all who knew him.....
MWFerri 10 months ago 2
I wept......
driverain2 11 months ago 3
Thank you Lori and Jeff Wilfahrt for your sophisticated and touching thoughts! And thank you for your courage to step forward in order to give faces to the mourning of families that have experienced the ultimate sacrifice; even more so when telling a story that is still rarely told, because of the irrational prejudice and hence impending social stigma in the eyes of those who have the narcissistic compulsion mastering the lives of others based on their unfounded beliefs.
FreiherrMannerheim 11 months ago
I'm not an American, but as a patriot coming from a country that has had deep scars from several wars; I can greatly value and honour the dedication and patriotism of your son Andrew Wilfahrt and his peers. Gay soldiers have defended their communities and the values onto which our societies have been built in every battle right from the very beginning. They have perseveringly done so even when they have not been fully appreciated as citizens at all times.
FreiherrMannerheim 11 months ago 3
So sad that Andrew was not granted the opportunity to fully benefit from the wind of change in the US military. However, I hope it's of some comfort that he had the daring to be genuinely himself and that his peers had the integrity to appreciate the trust and honesty. It's without doubt that your support, love and guidance helped him to accept his homosexuality in early stage; you have given him the keys to a life with fulfilment and happiness. Not much more precious one could give to children.
FreiherrMannerheim 11 months ago 2
ignore the attacks from conservo/fascists in this site, and keep on with the memory of this veteran.
jusitke07 11 months ago 2
What a brave and wonderful young gay man. My deepest sympathies to the entire Wilfahrt family. What a tragic loss, and thank you for this touching video which is a great tribute to your son, and to the great and loving parents you both are.
Jasona1976 11 months ago 2
Blessings and thanks to Corporal Wilfahrt and his extraordinary family for their ultimate sacrifice.
gozozma 11 months ago 3
Comment removed
cactuscapital 11 months ago
It's obvious from where Cpl. Andrew Wilfahrt's bravery comes - from the two who made him.
cactuscapital 11 months ago 9
RESPECT for both Andrew and his parents
niceone2bMAN 11 months ago 2
BTW, with regards to your sleep and shower situation, you;'re a little late on the times since there are Homosexuals, Bisexuals, and Heterosexuals in showers and sleep quarters together in Fire Depts, Police Depts, University Dorms & Showers, High School showers, Public Pool showers, Public showers, Sports clubs showers and spas, College gyms...basically everywhere. Where have you been?
jusitke07 11 months ago
Comment removed
dwynstew 11 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
"...they don't die for patriotism, they die for each other." Such a powerful statement. Thank you Andrew for your service and my deepest condolences to the Wilfahrt family.
dwynstew 11 months ago 2
Comment removed
dwynstew 11 months ago
I'm a retiree from the USAF. Yet kept a low profile during my service, knew that at any given time I would be called to be at the front line to do what I'm ought to do; safeguard with my life and body my comrades from any rank, property, and help to move forward the assignment imposed on me. An enemy bullet doesn't recognize gender,rank,race,creed,family,religious beliefs, nor sexual orientation. It only recognizes a body, a mass of flesh to take down. Bashing on religious beliefs is out.
arnkcmo 11 months ago 2
God Bless His Family. He is certainly a treasure to God. And Thank You To All Military personal.
xXCharlotteRocksXx 11 months ago
thank you Cpl Wilfahrt
greenbill62 11 months ago 3
When I was younger, I believed that homosexuals were generally more sensitive, creative and intelligent. Then there was the fight to join the military, and I realized that gays can be just as much of a tool as us heterosexuals.
jimws1959 11 months ago
God bless him and all who protect us!
kkreicker1 11 months ago
1 republican, oh McCain.
VoteYou 11 months ago
Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Wilfahrt for relating the story of your brave son, Andrew.
My sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to you both, and to Andrew's extended family and friends. Signed, A gay veteran.
evan1276 11 months ago 2
Somebody wrote after seeing this video that it is time for
ALL people in this country to be able to exercise their
basic human right to pursuit of happiness...eg in marriage.
I agree. It is shameful...just shameful... that
a fine man like Cpl Wilfahrt was denied that right in his home state.
Equally shameful that legislators here and others continue down that
path.
I applaud Andrew's parents for their courage in speaking up.
You speak not only for your son, but for children growing up.
beta2rs 11 months ago 3
Brave man, brave American and two amazing parents. I truly am touched by their honesty and bravery in sharing their son's life. You and your son are my heros.
zaktop 11 months ago
God bless the Wilfahrt family. May Andrew rest in peace.
Paul4821 11 months ago
BTW. If anyone would like to learn how the Bible that most folks know today came to be, then...
Google:
History of English Language & Bible 1/2
History of English Language & Bible 2/2
For more background...
English Bible History: Timeline of how we got the English Bible
And finally, to find out what the ancient Bible the English Bible is largely derived from says about homosexuality:
TEACHINGS OF THE ECOKOSHER REBBE, HOMOSEXUALITY & THE HEBREW BIBLE
MIJVI 11 months ago
@MIJVI Thx for the references
shenadoa 11 months ago
:'( What magnificent parents you are...
I'd bet your son would be as proud of you as you are of him.
Damn!...
MIJVI 11 months ago 34
Thank you for sharing your story~<3
Terribly sorry for your loss...
theMBG 11 months ago
whoever dislked this video has no heart...RIP Cpl and thank you.
christineelise19 11 months ago 3
Thanks for sharing a beautiful story!
himelda 11 months ago
Thank you...
Eltoca21 11 months ago
A very moving video, I must admit it brought tears to my eyes. We in the UK have had gay service men and women in our armed forces for years now and its as these brave parents say it's just not an issue with our troops. I'm glad to see the USA is now coming to relise this Its about time this crap bigoted policy goes at last.
gaykernow 11 months ago
Thank you Cpl Andrew Wilfahrt, for dying for the freedoms of the GLBT community of America and dying for those who actually hate you for being born a Homosexual.
Seriously, this term "Homosexual lifestyle" is no different from the "Heterosexual lifestyle" so get over it will ya
jusitke07 11 months ago
These lovely parents are careworn beyond the pale. Their son gave his life in the service of his country and they are living and giving to their country, during the worst time of their lives. reverence and awe is what i feel for them.
douglasokc 11 months ago 2
R.I.P. Corporal Andrew Wilfahrt you are a true Hero
TarotLovesClaude 11 months ago
thank you.
tshcomm 11 months ago
R.I.P. Corporal. Thank you for your service! You ARE a hero! I was stationed at Air Bases in Korea and Viet Nam and was NOT the only gay airman on those bases. I witnessed a recruit in basic training being put in a segregated barracks before being dis-honorably discharged. Openly ridiculed, he jumped off the balcony trying to "escape". I believe he survived physically, but the mental damage had been done, just as if he were a POW. I will never forget that scene. Put DADT behind us!!
cvjimbo 11 months ago
Thank you for your service.
MrMusicFlood 11 months ago
It's always sad when a parent outlives their child. Many blessings and love goes out to Andrew, his family, friends, and everyone in the armed forces. <3Ro.
RoxyHeartsYa 11 months ago 3
RIP, this world needs men like him.
demonflame1993 11 months ago 2
RIP, the world lost a great man
USAFlife 11 months ago
This moved me to tears. My thoughts go out to the parents. You're amazing people.
mrowks 11 months ago 3
Such a sad story. My sympathy to his family, his friends and his unit.
waynesb 11 months ago
Thanks! Andrew Wifahrt for your service. We American's are so fortunate to have had you in the military. To his parents. Thank you for sharing your story and Andrew's story. My we learn and improve the world because of Andrew's ultimate price he paid for his fellow soldiers. I for one am changed because of Andrew Wifahrt's story. Thanks!
BrocSanchez 11 months ago
Thank you for sharing your son's story. I hope his bravery--and the other soldier's recovery--help you in your grief.
kip2101 11 months ago
This is a beautiful tribute, and I've sent this to everyone in my address book.
Much love and peace to the Wilfahrt Family.
beeblmeyer 11 months ago 3
Thanks Andrew. Peace be with his parents, take care.
GFNations 11 months ago 3
RIP!
bayhung 11 months ago
DADT exists for one purpose and one purpose only: Christianists. Christianists across this country demand mythology in their lives because they're petty and small-minded. THEY were the creators of this bizarre and ridiculous law (and passed by Christianists politicians) and they need to be reminded that this country is not a Christian nation, but rather a secular one. Villifying gays is immoral.
AlphaGeminorium 11 months ago 10
This comment has received too many negative votes show
@AlphaGeminorium Excuse me, but prohibition against homosexual behavior in the US military existed since the founding of this nation. All the Founding Fathers, including George Washington, wanted to be it like that. George Washington was not a bible believing Christian, therefore "Christianist" argument of yours, does not make any sense. Besides, why does one assume that disapproval of homosexual behavior means villyfying gays? America isn't Christian nation, but it's not a secularist either
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 What is homosexual "behavior"? Just stating the fact that you're gay shouldn't be a reason for someone to be discharged from the military. It has nothing to do with behavior at all. You can't honestly say that someone like Andrew Wilfahrt should have been discharged simply because of who he is.
MattGuyOR 11 months ago
@MattGuyOR Homosexual behavior means having sexual or affectionate (kissing) intercourse with the person of the same sex, and the prohibition against it in the US military existed way back since 1776. I was in the military, and I know for sure that it is mostly has to do with this kind of behavior. For the record, it was before DADT was passed in 1993, when a mere statement "I'm gay" could get people kicked out, after 1993, there had to be more evidence presented proving that a person
sammy1251980 11 months ago
actually practices homosexuality. Let's stick to the facts, please. I simply wanted to find out, why Christianists have to be blamed for this regulation that existed for 250 years, since many Founding Fathers could not even be called Christians because they didn't believe the Bible? Also, I still would like to know why disapproval of homosexual sexual acts means villification of gays?
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 ...an odd question? Can you be heterosexual and not fall in love, with expectations of a future of being together and having intimate relations? Yeah, there all those Priests, well, then again -- maybe not. Gay Folk are human beings with all the needs and wants and desires of the rest of humanity. Right wing christianists have been going after gay people since Anita Bryant began pulling oranges out her bum to throw at gay men in Florida. Were have you been? Andrew was a hero&gay
douglasokc 11 months ago
@douglasokc thanks for your answer regarding intimate relations. I know about Anita Bryant, but what she was doing had nothing to with military regalations. Military regulations prohibiting homosexual conduct existed since 1776, and the people who invented them were not Christians, let alone Christianists, way before Anita Bryant. I simply wanted to learn where did AlphaG got the idea, that it was only Christians and Christianists to blame for this very old law?
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 Many people have historically bigoted against gays, and still are. Hardcore Christians are among this group. So, they're not really the victims here.
"I still would like to know why disapproval of homosexual sexual acts means villification of gays?"
My first answer would be "How can it not be?". My second would be that you can feel how you like privately. As soon as your disapproval becomes a rule, then, yeah, it's bigotry. Dress it up as civilly as you like.
bbmcrae 11 months ago 3
@bbmcrae Let me demonstrate something: my grandma disapproves of me riding motorcycle, she even told me that she thinks it's disgusting, but she still loves me and was not villyfying me as a person. So to me, it's the same for gays and homosexual sex. I'm not claiming anybody being a victim here, but I think the latter argument doesn't make any sense.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 Okay, but being gay is nothing like riding a motorcycle. You choose to ride a motorcycle. You are born gay. Or straight. Or both. Your argument is based on her loving you in spite of a choice. Disapproving of gays is saying "I disapprove of how you fundamentally are". Again, if you do disapprove, you have every right to feel that privately. What happens in the bigger world is those private feelings turn into laws.
Btw, I appreciate that we are disagreeing in a civil way.
bbmcrae 11 months ago 2
@bbmcrae there is no scientific evidence that indicates whether sexual orientation is genetic or learned
DSKKorp 11 months ago
@DSKKorp So I chose to be straight? Wow. Did not know that. And gay kids whose parents disown them, or classmates beat on, they chose to be ostracized? Neat.
bbmcrae 11 months ago 18
@bbmcrae I don't get why you're being butthurt, I just pointed out that there is no scientific evidence that proves either argument
DSKKorp 11 months ago
@DSKKorp I'm not being butthurt, or whatever fratboy term you want, I'm pointing out that's likely to be used by others as a sneaky way of saying "And that's why homosexuality is a choice." Where are the gays who grow up in straight houses learning it from? Honest, no butts hurt here.
bbmcrae 11 months ago
@DSKKorp Um...no. There's an overwhelming amount of evidence that it's genetic. Observe: the animal kingdom and thousands of species that display homosexuality. Observe: fruit flies which, in laboratory tests, have been genetically "switched" from hetero- to homosexuality and back again, with no ill effect to the organisms. The proof exists, even if we haven't found the exact genes that cause it in humanity.
TrevorBlack79 11 months ago 2
@bbmcrae well, I certainly believe that homosexual orientation (feelings and attractiveness) is NOT a choice. I think we are in agreement, here. This is even what Catholic Church teaches. However, to me, any sexual acts (whether homo or hetero) are ALWAYS a choice. That's not rocket science, that's common sense. Perhaps, many Christians think that gays should be celibate, but that's where people need to agree to disagree. Like I said before, military laws are different from civilian laws.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 Thanks. I'm just saying people can feel what they feel in private. I personally feel pity for them feeling disapproval. When they start making laws based on those feelings, well, then we got trouble.
bbmcrae 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 "Prejudice of any kind implies that you are identified with the thinking mind. It means you do not see the other human being anymore, but only your own concept of that human being. To reduce the aliveness of another human being to a concept is already a form of violence."
shenadoa 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 OK, selective inforcement is the issue. Until the mid 1940s with the Kinsey report, people thought that there were very few gay people. Sodomy laws were directed mainly at heterosexuals until then. So what you are missing in your thinking is how much fear and religious prejudice have to do with WHAT law is enforced and against whom. Lawrence v Texas 2003, the Supreme Court put gay men into the constitution as equal citizens; do you homework sammy and you will understand more.
douglasokc 11 months ago
@douglasokc I am familiar with Lawrence v. Texas. I studied about it while I was taking classes on prelaw. However, Justice Kennedy made it very clear that decriminalization of sodomy laws applies to civilian life ONLY, not to the military. Btw, serving in the military is not a civil right, as per 2nd amendment. Perhaps, even back in 1776, when the prohibition against homosex in the military was established, it was believed it targeted heteros only engaged in homosex, right?
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 Well, you should have read Scalia's dessenting opinion in. Law.vTexas. You will see that his predictions are coming true. This 2003 decision by the court put gay people into the constitution as equal citizens for the first time and is bedrock in the california marriage case as well as DADT. In June of 2003, right after the court made its call, Oklahoma declared their sodomy laws null and void. Look to military history of black folks' and women's service, slowly it became a right
douglasokc 11 months ago
@douglasokc I disagree with Scalia's opinion and I don't like they way he expressed it. However, the facts remain the same: Lawrence only decriminalized private homosexual acts, it didn't declare these acts to be civil rights that everybody has to approve of. Military regulations are still separate from civilian laws, athough there are similarities, but not all. Both openly gay judges have been misreading Lawrence when they ruled against prop 8 and DADT.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 You are missing the forest for a couple of trees you think are important. Law.vTexas gave gay men standing with all the rights of an American citizen. That never had happened before. Add findings of fact by Federal Courts, like in the Prop 8 trial, and you have a Victor Hugo moment: No King, no country, no standing army can stop an IDEA whose time has come. Would you want a military without women, gay folk, and African Americans? Those born way after 1980, just don't care. gay-ok
douglasokc 11 months ago
@douglasokc I guarantee what's going to happen if DADT will tecnically be repealed: we will reinstitute a draft, so everybody will have an equal opportunity to serve in the military. Also, if we allow women to serve in combat: there's going to be a lot protests among people screaming: 1, 2, 3, 4, we don't want this fucking war!
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 Bullshit
shenadoa 11 months ago
@shenadoa what are supposed to do when people will be voluntarily separating from the military, the draft will be the only solution in order to make sure that the military is still being served. Also, do you really think that our society is going to be happy when beautiful girls, who could be supermodels, or mothers with little children at home, will be fighting a war in another country, and coming home in body bags in large numbers?
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 Paranoia is treatable, you know? Your Chicken Little fanatsies are either an act or a a sign of mental instability. Which is it?
shenadoa 11 months ago
@shenadoa would you want your daughter, or sister with 3 baby kids to be in the middle of fierce ground combat dodging bullets? 50% of military women have children, so why should we send them to combat, the most likely place of having them killed? apparently, this happens to be the fantasy of liberal radicals. where's their humanity, for crying out loud?
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 Most people spend their entire life imprisoned within the narrow limits of their own thoughts. They never go beyond a narrow mind-made, personalized sense of self that is conditioned by the past. In you, as in each human being, there is a dimension of consciousness far deeper than thought. It is the very essence of who you are. You experience this consciousness when the constant conversation in your head stops and stillness comes.
shenadoa 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 Does it make any difference if the person in the body bag is a supermodel looking female or a regular looking or unattractive person, male or female. It is a life wasted. War is barbaric and a very outdated means of resolving conflict.
The homophobia, racism, and misogyny in the military needs to end.
nikkidane 11 months ago 3
@nikkidane Maybe it doesn't matter if a woman coming home in the body bag is a supermodel type or unattractive type, but it does matter if such a woman has kids at home, and half of the women in the military are like that. Only women can be good mothers, taking care of children, providing them with their motherly needs. Therefore, disallowing women to serve in combat is not an act of misogyny but an act of humanity and common sense.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 Really? You're going to pick this video's comment section to complain about the dadt repeal and women's right to serve? I think that says all I really need to know about you.
LewsTelamon 11 months ago
@LewsTelamon I didn't pick anything, I was simply responding to the issues brought up by other people. Like I said before, I don't care if DADT gets repealed, but it will be followed by the reinstitution of the draft. Women are allowed to serve, but they are not allowed to serve in combat unit, if that's going to be allowed, American people will be protesting the war, just like it was during the Vietnam.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980
You offer zero proof for what you say but that's not my point here. This is a video meant to honor a man who died for his country. Would you plaster tombstones with flyers espousing your politcal beliefs? I would hope not, so carry your crap elsewhere.
LewsTelamon 11 months ago
@LewsTelamon If liberal social engineers are allowed to state their opinions so should I. Why can't it be that what they offer is crap? A bunch of people brought up the subjects of Christianists, of blacks, of women, so I thought it would be okay to contribute to a discussion. Or I'm guessing maybe it's totally fine to show an honor for a man who died for his country by bashing Christians and denigrading the Bible, and promoting a secularist nation?
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980
And you're somehow above the pettiness you decry of liberals because you're a conservative social engineer? I didn't endorse the christian bashing (which is at best childish), but I chose you as your posts were more salient to the point of the video. You have yet to provide any evidence to your claims, but I will commend you for not denigrating the fine man remembered in this tribute. These arguments can be held somewhere else besides a memorial video in my opinion.
LewsTelamon 11 months ago
@LewsTelamon You didn't endorse Christian bashing, but AlpahGerminorium did. Check his comments above, so I was wondering if his comments were in any way relevant to the memorial of Cpl. Andrew? Evidence to what claims? About whether things were better for gay troops before DADT? About the subject of women in combat? Please, be specific.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980
No I don't endorse Alpha's comments, I already said such christian bashing is childish. To be more specific i'm addressing your claim that the dadt repeal will cause a national draft, which has no factual basis. Again i'd rather carry out this converstaion through personal messages because I find it rather disrespectful to do so on a memorial video.
LewsTelamon 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 said, " For the record, it was before DADT was passed in 1993, when a mere statement "I'm gay" could get people kicked out, after 1993, there had to be more evidence presented proving that a person"
Obviously you're in denial, when in fact Army Lt. Dan Choi came out on National TV and subsequently discharged. So yes, even a mere statement "I'm Gay" can get one kicked out without any "evidence presented proving that a person actually practices Homosexuality"
jusitke07 11 months ago
@jusitke07 Dan Choi said a lot more than I'm gay, he talked about his partner and that it was good...don't want to go there, and he did it on TV, so everybody knew about it, thus he brought all the evidence with him. If he would have not gone on TV, he'd probably still be in. So, what are you suggesting: that before 1993 when DADT was enacted people were not getting discharged for admitting being gay? are you saying that before 1993, things were better?
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 You're lying, and his the video to prove it:
watch?v=Qa2J4BOyVGs
...and listening to what he said in 1:40...and if you listen carefully, he never mentions anything about a Partner...
jusitke07 11 months ago
@jusitke07 I couldn't get a link to this video. But I have seen numerous interviews with Dan Choi, how he bragged about having a partner, and how good it was. The last straw was that he publicly announced that he was a member of Knights Out, a gay rights organization. There were members in his unit, who knew that he was gay in a relationship, but advised him to keep it down. However, he chose to make a publicity on TV, and for that he got fired.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@jusitke07 Now, I got to see it. This video has been edited out, but Mr. Choi has made other public interviews when he said he had a partner. Under DADT, gays can serve as long as they don't make public announcements about who they are and who they like. My position still stands: if Mr. Choi would have not gone on TV, he would still stay in. Thus, I don't think I'm lying but I think that you are picking a fight with me.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 When this interview was done with Rachel Maddow, Lt. Choi then subsequently got discharged as a result of that declaration alone. So you're probably right, but he may have said it after being discharged, but he never said anything about his "partner" prior to or during his interview with Rachel Maddow. And if you go to this video,
watch?v=mKDQwh1hQww
...fast forward it to 1:20:14 through 1:20:25...and listen.
jusitke07 11 months ago
@jusitke07 I did watch it, as matter of fact, I have recommended you to see exactly the same video. What a coincidence. If you fast forward it to 8:53, you'll see that he talks about his relationship being the motivation for his activism. If remember correctly, his bosses knew about his private life, allowed him to serve but ordered him to keep it quiet. He refused and went on Rachel Maddow's show on public TV. It looks like he got punished more for HOW he did it, not for what he hid.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 What? I don't think you've recommended anything to me with regards to the current DADT hearing. But here, let's get to the point:
Do you hate Homosexuals serving in the military?
jusitke07 11 months ago
@jusitke07 I don't hate anybody and what anybody's doind in their personal life at home, including homosexuals. But I would hate it if I see homosexuals flaunting their homosexuality in front of everybody in places like sleeping berthing on a ship or tents in a field, where people of the same gender sleep and shower together. People who openly behave this way, erode unit cohesion and disrupt discipline. As a veteran, I know I'm talking about.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 Man, three days later and you're still going on and on. You think about gays more than the gays!
bbmcrae 11 months ago
@bbmcrae What can I do, when people keep on asking me questions? Like I said before, I don't care what gays do in their private civilian life, but I do care what they do in the military, because I'm a veteran and it affects me personally.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 Obviously, you take other's homosexuality very seriously. Let's make sure everyone avoids upsetting you in this world. Got that, everyone. Stop gaying up around this guy! Problem solved, amigo.
bbmcrae 11 months ago
@bbmcrae Buddy, you have never upsetted or offended me. As for the guy, I see him as a fellow veteran who deserves the same honor and respect as I and all other veterans do.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 Okay, I was just needling you. I respect what you're saying, and I thank you for your service. But, ultimately, you're saying that Cpl Wilfahrt shouldn't have been allowed to serve because it makes straight guys uncomfortable. And I respectfully disagree on that. I hear you, but I disagree.
bbmcrae 11 months ago
@bbmcrae Please, don't put words in my mouth. I have no other comments about Cpl Wilfahrt than I already said. Not knowing him personally, or seeing his work and personal behavior, I can't make any judgment whatsoever whether he should have been allowed to serve. My belief about DADT still stands: it is not that bad the way gay rights activists portray it. But my personal belief about DADT has to do just with my personal experience and only. It has nothing to do with the man.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 You seem respectful and civil. Just, please also understand the frustration many people - not just gay activists - have with a group of people being treated like less-than-equals in this day and age. Personal offense for some becomes the basis of exclusion. In the end, however, I have never served, and don't know the day-to-day realities of serving. Or of being gay, while we're at it.
bbmcrae 11 months ago
@bbmcrae I totally understand the frustration but we need to apply reasonableness in order to find the truth.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@bbmcrae Respectful and Civil? This person, sammy1251980 may as well join the Phelps family in Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, KS.
jusitke07 11 months ago
@jusitke07 Don't like the message, so attack the messenger, huh?
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 You're attacking a video dedicated to the memory of a Gay Veteran who died for his country. Just like how the Westboro Baptist Church attacks at veteran funerals with their "God Hates Fags" signs. Have you no conscious with yourself or some descency? A little respect goes a long way.
jusitke07 11 months ago
@jusitke07 I have my utmost respect for this veteran who happened to be gay, I said it twice, but I believe that my rebuttals to the criticisms of DADT is an entirely separate issue.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 Then how about you do it at another youtube site that is not dedicated to a loved one and talks about the DADT policy specifically? Because by immediately sending an message on promoting DADT, a policy that directly affects the personal life of this Gay Veteran in a negative way doesn't seem to be respectful at all.
jusitke07 11 months ago
@jusitke07 wasn't it you, and some other people here, who started posting comments here attacking "Christianists" and promoting a secularist nation? To me, it looks like using this man's life as a tool for guiltripping the people who believe that DADT's repeal should be put on hold. This is beyond disrespect of the Cpl Andrew's memory. Also, how about you finding a youtube site dedicated to SLDN?
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 Nope, it wasn't me attacking with the comments of "Christianist" And much to you dismay, there are Gay Christians in America too, so much for your secularist nation argument. Look them up if you want because they do exist. But hey, how about I find an SLDN youtube site, if you find a Westboro Baptist Church and/or Focus on the Family youtube site....deal?
jusitke07 11 months ago
@jusitke07 yeah...a deal, I guess. btw, fyi, I hate what Westboro Baptist Church does as much as I hate what liberal social engineers do.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 Oh please. Anybody can read between the lines. You're just as conservative as they are, so don't try and disassociate yourself from them. By you coming here and bashing a youtube site dedicated to an American Gay Veteran makes you a wolf in sheep's clothing
jusitke07 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 I've served 13 years, and counting, in the military, and I can count the many times i hear conversations of guys in every unit I served flauting their heterosexuality talking about a hot chick they saw at the bar or the strip bar, or their daily lives with their wives. And yet the homosexual veterans, by law, have to remain silent about trying to flaunt their sexuality. Well repeal soon happens, BOTH will express their sexuality openly.
jusitke07 11 months ago
@jusitke07 Yes, this is true about guys talking about the girls they like. However, military men are prohibited to flaunt their sexuality directed at fellow military women, insinuating that they find them hot. For this reason, men and women are living separately. However, gay men and women who still live together in same quarters, could flaunt their sexuality directed at other men and women whom they find attractive. Such a behavior denigrades unit cohesion and discipline.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 said, " military men are prohibited to flaunt their sexuality directed at fellow military women, insinuating that they find them hot."
Wow, how much more clueless can you be? Once repeal happens, the sexual harassment policy will apply to everybody. That means a man cannot flirt with another man while in the professional military workplace just a man cannot flirt with woman in the work place. Hello? And did you not read my other post with regards to showers and living spaces?
jusitke07 11 months ago
@jusitke07 I would give you the benefit of a doubt, because I like what you say and it makes sense to me. I've seen comments about showers, but they were dealing only with civilian jobs environment. In these environments, people are still able to go home, unlike it happens in the military, where people live together, away from their families for like 6 months on deployment. This is the military policies are different.
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980 Oh please. Civilian jobs are no different from military jobs. There are Heterosexual men in Civilian jobs doing work far away from home and having extra marital affairs with female prostitutes, one night stands with a female at a bar, etc. And it's the same thing with Heterosexual military men both overseas and right at their unit station close their home. And a shower, in general, is a shower whether in the military or civilian world. Gays, Straights and Bisexuals are all there.
jusitke07 11 months ago
@jusitke07 Here is another video of Mr. Choi:
watch?v=qTnP8bsOjPA&feature=related
If you watch at the end of it, you can see that he does talk about his relationship, which is the motivation for what he chose to do
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980, I think you mean sexual behavior, not homosexual behavior. Homosexuality is a sexual orientation, not a sexual activity.
SeanChapin1 11 months ago
@SeanChapin1 but homosexuality does involve sexual activity involving people of the same sex, known as homosexual behavior. The US military has been against it for 250 years. I'm sure you knew well what I meant, so I'm wondering if you just want to pick a fight with me?
sammy1251980 11 months ago
@sammy1251980, I believe that the US military should disapprove of any kind of sexual activity happening among soldiers during military operations, whether heterosexual or homosexual, and I would think that this would also apply with companies/organizations and employees while on the clock. To me, it shouldn't be a matter of if someone is attracted to a man or to a woman; everyone should be treated equally.
SeanChapin1 11 months ago
@3:46 perfect statement on what soldiers truly die/fight for despite what politicians tell you. It's universal throughout the history of war no matter what country or time period.
kpunk 11 months ago 3
Comment removed
kpunk 11 months ago
When will it end?
PrestonWHarrington 11 months ago 3
My heart bleeds for Andrew's family and friends. Over the years, many of us closeted gay soldiers served, survived and went on. Andrew's parents support for Andrew are inspiring as is Andrew's selfless sacrifice. I only wish those who oppose gays serving openly in the military could speak from some experience rather than from ignorance or fear. Rest in Peace Andrew.
RLASeattle 11 months ago 10
It's really sweet that this family speaks highly of the army and the way they have been treated. However, I wonder if it were his husband and adopted son instead of his parents. Would his husband receive the same the same treatment? Would he get compensation from the army just as a wife would. Would the husband and adopted son be flown out to Dover? Something tells me not.
I'm not trying to be a negative Nancy over hear but I think it needs to be said.
divad838 11 months ago 6
I am so proud to know your name Andrew Wilfahrt....I am proud of your service and sacrifice....I promise I wont forget you.
depfox 11 months ago 4
May he rest in peace.
gmhead 11 months ago 3
@mapietil. There is currently someone going through the process of being discharged. There is no halting to the discharges just because the bill was signed.
mas11680 11 months ago 2
To Mr. and Mrs. Wilfarht -
I am formerly from Minneapolis and again Minneapolis makes me proud. Thank you for this video and its message.
President Obama, please act now to enforce what you signed in formality, to repeal 'Don't ask, Don't tell.' America does not care about the sexual preference of the servicemen. It is time to show our respect and support to the many gay servicepeople in actions, openly.
Thank you again, Mr. and Mrs. Wilfahrt. Thank you again, Minneapolis.
ChristiTbe 11 months ago 3
IF a man or a woman is willing to put there life on the line to protect you and enlist in a career where the chances of return are against there favor. let them have that act of duty and honor. Because in the end all are equals. The truth of the matter is the old phrase rings louder each generation. United we stand divided we fall. an there is more division each generation.
bongobeaver 11 months ago 3
You have been an amazing man. RIP Cpl. Andrew Wilfahrt!
A Muslim.
amedmorsi 11 months ago 2
@nwuguy23 All DADT discharges are being held up right now, we are not aloud to discharge them. Doesn't mean that they are off the hook, if everything doesn't go through then yes we will then discharge, but right now we're just waiting for everyone to get trained up so that we can just shred these horrible discharge papers. The reason for not being able to discharge is because the law is changing right now, why discharge when they can get back in, in a couple months? Doesn't make sense.
mapietil 11 months ago
BEAUTIFUL tribute... this must be passed on.
SherryTheFaerye 11 months ago 2
Amazing story about an amazing man. Thank you for sharing.
Stashbib 11 months ago 35
RIP brother, you are a hero. We will continue the fight for equality. Your country is indebted for your service and you exemplify everything that is good about the world. I never met you or your family, but love all of you as if you were my own.
MrUSMCCowboy 11 months ago 4
The repeal and implementation have not been certified or completed. Servicemembers are still subject to discharge if they "come out" before the repeal is cerified.
brackettst 11 months ago
While my condolenses go out to this family I am a little confused. The end says "Since its repeal.........3 more have died waiting for the repeal" W