Veterans Day is a holiday observed annually in the United States in honor of all those, living and dead, who served with the U.S. armed forces in wartime. This year, we celebrate Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11.

I hold the highest resect, admiration, and gratitude for all who have given of themselves to fight for this country. While I have never made this ultimate sacrifice, and do not believe I ever will, I can’t help but appreciate the people who have sweat blood and tears to ensure my freedom.

I did not realize the sacrifices made by members of our armed forces until I was in a long-term relationship with a Navy Corpsman. Sure, I had celebrated the military in a sexually fetishized way by attending the many “military-themed” parties at nightclubs around town. I was first in line sporting my combat boots, “booty shorts”, camouflage painted shirtless chest, and camouflage headband (certainly a military regulation uniform!), but that was really the extent of my concern for the work the military does.

But then I got into this relationship 4-1/2 years ago (which has since ended) and witnessed how hard my partner worked to fight for people, some who treated him very poorly because of his membership in the military. When we would pass anti-military protesters he would just shrug it off, saying “I will continue to fight for that person’s right to express their opinion”. That is unconditional love and respect for the United States!

But what is different about my ex-partner, and a large number of others, is that fact that he is a GAY service member. He continues to serve a country that supports an organization that does not allow him to be himself. He has to endure endless “fag” jokes, hide huge parts of his life when he talks to his co-workers/”friends”, and live in constant fear that if he is found out, his entire career will be ruined. Some ask, “well then why would he WANT to be in the military?” To that question, I do not have an answer, but I do recognize his great love of this country, and commitment to fight for our freedom.

Veterans Day certainly honors all of our veterans, but we sometimes forget about the fact that so many of our Veterans served and continue to serve in silence. It is time for Don’t Ask Don’t Tell to be gone, and for the United States Military to heal from this dark period in its’ history.

The San Diego Chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) will proudly participate in this year’s San Diego County Veterans Day Parade. I am so proud of our LGBT Veterans, led by Ben Gomez, who are going to brave this crowd and proclaim their pride in the service and themselves.

This Saturday, a special event called Patriots’ Pride, will take place in Oceanside and several other cities across the country. Patriots’ Pride is a Veterans Day celebration in honor of all LGBT and other sexual minorities that have served their country honorably and have never throughout the history of the United States of America been treated equally.

I encourage you to attend Patriots’ Pride and show your support for our LGBT Veterans and protest discrimination in the military!

To all of our veterans: Happy Veterans Day, and THANK YOU for your service! More people appreciate your work than you may realize.