On Monday, the Defense Department released a new list of benefits that the same-sex partners of military servicemembers could access in spite of the limitations imposed by the Defense of Marriage Act. One spousal benefit that was not specifically mentioned was eligibility to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, but that didn’t stop the American Family Association from making that its primary complaint. In an action alert sent out after the Pentagon’s announcement, the anti-gay hate group warned that same-sex partners would violate the cemetery’s “hallowed grounds,” complete with the misspelled graphic pictured at right:
This means the military will recognize homosexual lovers as “married” and will give a full slate of benefits, including burial in Arlington National Cemetery.
Panetta, at every turn, has exposed the military to open homosexuality, which presents an unacceptable risk to good order, discipline, morale and unit cohesion — qualities essential for combat readiness.
Actually, the new guidance allows the military to recognize same-sex domestic partnerships specifically so it doesn’t have to recognize same-sex marriages. Nevertheless, AFA is encouraging supporters to send the following letter to members of Congress:
Under your watch, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has effectively devastated our nation’s military by allowing the “gay agenda” to take priority over national defense.
This week, his decision to grant “marriage” benefits to homosexuals in the military presents an unacceptable risk to good order, discipline, morale and unit cohesion — qualities essential for combat readiness.
Most disturbing is his decision to allow homosexual partners to be buried on the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery.I urge you to do your part in restoring sanity to the Department of Defense and stop social experimentation in the military.
Besides the fact that plenty of gay people are surely already buried in Arlington National Cemetery, repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell had no consequential impact on the military’s “good order, discipline, morale, and unit cohesion.” DADT was the social experiment, and all that came of it was the firing of soldiers. The social experiment of shame and discrimination is over.