AVER Chicago Dedicates
Monument to
LGBT Veterans
at the Abraham Lincoln
National Cemetery
by Michael Bedwell |
|
On
Memorial Day, May 25th, 2015, a long-held dream
in our community was realized by AVER Chicago. After four
years of intense effort led by Board Member
Stanley Jenczyk, the first federally approved memorial
exclusively for LGBT veterans was dedicated in Abraham
Lincoln National Cemetery south of Chicago. In addition to
Jenczyk, those attending included current Chapter President
Lee Reinhart,
founder and former President Jim
Darby and his husband, Board Member Patrick Bova, Treasurer
Larry Simpson, and Executive Director Victor Salvo and Board
Member Lori Cannon of the Legacy Project. The “National
Anthem” and “America the Beautiful” were performed by the
Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus. Speakers included U.S.
Representatives Robin Kelly and Bill Foster, as well as
representatives of other elected officials, and
inspirational remarks were delivered by Rev. Wayne Bradley,
Rabbi Cindy Enger, and Father Chris Meyer. Members of
Organized Chaos, a Chicago-area women’s motorcycle club, led
by Army Major Melinda Rayter, lined either side of the
pathway leading to the ceremony with American flags, and,
then, formed a circle of flags around the ceremony itself.
Color Guard members included Jean Albright, Ed Wosylus, and
Travis. The historic event closed with Melissa Terrell and
Susan Jones playing “Taps.”