So… what happened at Senator McCain’s office?

H.E.R.O.s

In case you missed it…

Today at 5:00pm in Phoenix Arizona, there is going to be a rally at Senator McCain’s office in support of the five activists who were arrested today at noon, Phoenix time, protesting Senator McCain’s stance against repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Meg Sneed, Jimmy Gruender, Lee Walters, (Lonnie) Allen Howard-Stidham and Luisa Valdez went into custody around noon Phoenix time, were processed and released.

There isn’t much more that I understand about what happened today.

Today in the early Phoenix morning, five activists from the Human Equality Rights Organizers (H.E.R.O.)–possibly inspired by the amazing actions of Dan Choi and GetEQUAL–entered Senator McCain’s office and stayed, until they were arrested.

Here is their press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

***MEDIA ALERT*** Media Contact: Rev. Brad Wishon

Human Equal Rights Organizers (623) 570-6166 revwishon@aol.com

First Class Petty Officer Lonnie Allen Howard-Stidham to speak to Senator John McCain about his discharge from the United States Coast Guard under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

WHAT: First Class Petty Officer Lonnie Allen Howard-Stidham served his country proudly in the United States for seven years before he was discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell on June 18, 2007. Howard-Stidham states “Since the very beginning of my Coast Guard (CG) Career our core values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty have been driven into my very being; if given the opportunity I would reenlist in a heartbeat.”

Howard-Stidham will be asking to speak to Senator McCain about the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy along with four friends. Howard-Stidham and friends will not leave McCain’s office until the Senator meets with his constituents and stands behind his 2006 quote that “The day that the leadership of the military comes to me and says, ‘Senator, we ought to change the policy,’ then I think we ought to consider seriously changing it.”

WHEN: Monday April 26, 2010 8:00am WHERE: Senator John McCain’s Office
5353 North 16th Street Suite 105 Phoenix, AZ 85016

WHY: 13,500 service members have been fired under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell since 1994 costing tax payers between $290 million to more than half a billion dollars. Howard-Stidham served his country with pride for seven years, he was fired from his job not for poor job performance but because he is a gay man. A man who when he was outed in his unit was given 25 letters of recommendations from his fellow service members. Howard-Stidham is willing and ready to serve his country again tomorrow.

Our Mission: To create all-inclusive coalitions to secure equal rights through Service, Action, Visibility, and Education in local communities. H.E.R.O =S.A.V.E.

Our Vision: A world free of discrimination with equal rights and dignity for all.

An open letter to John McCain from one of the activists:

Senator John McCain U.S. Senate 241 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510-0001 Subject: Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Dear Senator McCain,
As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to support legislation in the United States Senate to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” statute governing military service by lesbian, gay, and bisexual Americans.

I want to tell you my story and what I went through:

Since the very beginning of my Coast Guard (CG) Career our core values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty have been driven into my very being; Not only from the CG but also from my family. As I moved on through and graduated Boot Camp I went on to CG Station Neah Bay, and then CG Personnel Command before coming a recruit Company Commander (AKA Drill Instructor), by far the best and most challenging assignment I have had.

Being a Company Commander wasn’t something that I thought I could do at first. I remember at my last unit people were actually taking bets as to whether or not I would fail CC school. Before I became a CC the uniform and our Core Values meant exactly what they are core values that guide us and a uniform that we were with pride. But as I went through CC school, something changed within me. I found a new sense of confidence. I believed in myself that I could do something that was so hard. And not just do it with mediocrity but setting the standard. My school chief, Chief Sparks told me that I was # 1 in the class.

As I began running companies it became apparent more than ever what the CG’s Core Values meant. It had too; I had to make these recruits understand what they meant and how to put them into their own lives. I also noticed myself focusing on the uniform. Realizing and teaching that the uniform is a privilege. Too many times we forget what this uniform means. Is it just some piece of clothing? It is something you just have to put on before you come to work? Is it just something that is required so you do it? I say NO to all of those things. It is a privilege and an honor to wear it. Words can’t begin to describe what this uniform means to me. I wake up every morning blessed knowing that I GET to wear the uniform. It is a sense of Pride, Commitment, and Respect.

I had big plans for myself in the Coast Guard. I had just received orders to the 2nd national Security Cutter the CGC WASCHE which was my #1 pick, and I had just submitted my Officer Candidate package. But as I told the rest of my family I began to feel as if I wasn’t showing Honor to the CG and having 100% of my integrity. That is why I wrote a letter to my Commanding Officer. Even though I knew that by writing that letter that there was a 99.9% chance I would get discharged I had to do it. I had to uphold our Core Values. I had to keep my integrity. That is what I tell my recruits, your integrity is something only you can give away; no one can take it from you.

I love the CG more than anything. What scared me the most or hurt the most…. was the fact that I knew that my days to wear the uniform were numbered, that very soon that VERY privilege that I had would be TAKEN away from me. That is what hurt. Even though I got discharged I know that my legacy still lives on in the CG through all the recruits I have trained. I know that I have done my best while serving the Coast Guard. But because I am GAY I am told that I can’t.

I wrote a letter to my Commanding Officer, because someone threatened to “out” me, and use it as blackmail. Could I have denied it? Yes! But that isn’t what the CG taught me. It taught me to be truthful and to have honor. When I came out as Gay, you know what happened at my unit? Nothing! My fellow peers wrote 25 letters of recommendation, in hopes that it would help me stay in the CG. They stood beside me; they didn’t treat me different at all. So Senator I ask you, should I have lied? Should I have broken the very core values that were taught to me for my own personal gain? I don’t think so.

If given the opportunity I would reenlist in a heartbeat. I wouldn’t even think twice. I love this country more than anything. I am asking to meet with you on Monday April 26th, 2010 at 0815. So you can put a face to this devastating law. I am also urging you as your constituent to become a co-sponsor to the Military Readiness Enhancement Act S. 3065, which was introduced to the Senate on March 3, 2010. Thank you for your time and I look forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely, Lonnie Allen Howard-Stidham Peoria, Arizona 85382 623-696-7187

Visit Hero’s website here: http://www.be-a-hero.us/

I also think you should join their Facebook.

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