National Equality March - Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

On Saturday, October 10, 2009 (one day before the National Equality March in Washington DC), members of Knights Out, an organization of LGBT alumni, staff, and faculty of the US Military Academy at West Point, including Iraq veteran LT. Dan Choi (03), Iraq veteran and winner of the Bronze Star, former LT. Anthony Woods (03), and former MAJ. Andrea Hollen, (80), joined by gay US Navy CAPT. Mike Rankin (RET), Annapolis (68), laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. The Tomb Sentinel announced it as being from "Knights Out LGBT." Woods was discharged under Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and Choi's DADT discharge is currently under administrative review. This video gives you a feel for what it is like to witness this tomb in person, which is why this video is over 8 minutes long.

www.ltdanchoi.com
www.knightsout.org

Per Wikipedia, "There is a meticulous ritual the guard follows when watching over the graves:

1. The soldier walks 21 steps across the Tomb. This alludes to the 21-gun salute, which is the highest honor given to any military or foreign dignitary in America. His weapon is always on the shoulder opposite the Tomb (i.e., on the side of the gallery watching the ritual).
2. On the 21st step, the soldier turns and faces the Tomb for 21 seconds.
3. The soldier then turns to face the other way across the Tomb and changes his weapon to the outside shoulder.
4. After 21 seconds, the first step is repeated.

This is repeated until the soldier is relieved of duty at the Changing of the Guard."

Video: Sean Chapin

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• lesbian
• gay
• bisexual
• transgender
• tomb
• of
• the
• unknown
• soldier
• army
• navy
• air
• force
• marine
• west
• point
• knights
• out
• don't
• ask
• tell
• dadt

[debbieomi]

This made me sad on many levels, including that our gay soldiers have served this country and some have died fighting to keep it safe and it was never ok for them to be who they are.

Thank you.

[08Shards]

On October 10, 2009, LT. Dan Choi, CAPT. Mike Rankin (RET), former MAJ. Andrea Hollen, & former CPT. Anthony Woods presented a wreath to the fallen at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery on behalf of the LGBT community. . Video by Sean Chapin.

[Kadhimi]

thank you for this! very moving, God bless America and all soldiers.

[3RWE3]

@SeanChapin1 Like I said .

[SeanChapin1]

@3RWE3, I do not tolerate comments that are obscene and derogatory in nature such as yours ("grow the f*** up and stop whining about being a homo"), and I have blocked you from my channel.

[vanhattan]

quite moving

[stoner829]

Thanks Sean.  Once again..glad the Kleenex box was handy....

[bandanajack]

wow... and about time.