This is What a Hero Looks Like
"What do you think I fought for in Omaha Beach?"
Looks as though this clip of an 86-year-old World War II veteran testifying at Maine's marriage hearings in April has been online since then. It's been getting some renewed attention recently.
I don't believe I've ever posted it here, but even if I have, it bears repeating.
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...
And help Protect Maine Equality HERE.
Made me cry. Amazing.
Posted by: Peter | Oct 22, 2009 8:49:18 AM
Maybe America will finally start to listen. Thank you Philip for the sacrifices you made so all of us can have equality.
Posted by: Mark | Oct 22, 2009 10:43:03 AM
Max: there is a transcript at AlterNet:
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/143437/an_83-year-old_republican_vet_talks_about_the_need_for_equal_rights_for_gays
Posted by: cognitive dissident | Oct 22, 2009 11:13:43 AM
Yes. The hope lives on; the struggle begins anew..........What a great life he has lived.....what a compassionate man....who cherishes all the children equally. Now what have the bigots got to say ?
Posted by: JackFknTwist | Oct 22, 2009 1:29:54 PM
Max in Deutschland:
Here's a transcript:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/10/21/795447/-A-WWII-Veteran-On-Gay-Marriage
Posted by: John in Chicago | Oct 22, 2009 6:00:59 PM
I am moved to tears by this man. Thank you, sir, for fighting for our beloved country and for standing up and speaking for basic decency and equal rights.
Posted by: Hawthorne-Guy | Oct 22, 2009 6:46:46 PM
One word: Tears.
Posted by: Isaac | Oct 22, 2009 11:13:02 PM
first of all, THANK YOU to the gentleman in the video. second, thanks Andy, for posting this link. and lastly, my Dad fought in WW2 also, and if he were alive today,i'm pretty sure he would be saying the same things. in 1975, when i told my parents i was gay (at 18), i thought there might be hell to pay for a while. instead, my dad, a 25 year retired serviceman with an 8th grade education told me to make sure i brought any man i was dating home to meet them so they could make sure he was good enough for me. after that, they even put up some homeless gay people after that in their houses that had been kicked out of their homes by their bigoted parents.
Posted by: casey | Oct 23, 2009 9:54:37 PM
I got all choked up watching this. Thanks for posting. It proves the old expression, You can't judge a book by its cover. An 86 year old, VFW attending, Republican -- who speaks of fairness, justice and love for gays. Humbling!
Posted by: Gay Guy | Oct 23, 2009 10:12:10 PM
If you'd like to take a few minutes and send this great gentleman a card and thank him for all he is, his address is:
Philip Spooner
5 Graham st., Apt 213
Biddeford, ME, 04005
Posted by: Rob Pulleyn | Oct 23, 2009 10:17:24 PM
Rob-thanks for the address. i'm definitely going to send him a note of appreciation and maybe a gift card or something. i worry that the crazies out there might send him hate mail though. let's all hope that's not the case.
Posted by: casey | Oct 24, 2009 12:17:08 AM