Today is Jack Strouss’s 90th birthday. Jack’s granddaddy fought in the Civil War, and not many people can say that. Jack’s great uncle Clement was General Clement A. Evans, whose portrait hangs in the Georgia State Capitol. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Jack W. Strouss is a quintessential Southern gentleman who can “charm the spots off a leopard”, according to some of his friends. Born June 24, 1923, Jack attended public schools in Atlanta and graduated from Technological High School in 1942.
Author Archives: Steph
Shakeup at OutServe-SLDN
There is news this morning of a shakeup at OutServe-SLDN. American Veterans for Equal Rights strongly supports the mission of SLDN and Outserve. We stand with our sister organization as they face some troubling times. Few organizations have accomplished as much over the years to secure the rights of LGBT service members and provide direct legal support as SLDN, and Outserve is an essential organization in provided support to active duty LGBT service members. This mission is critical, and we wish great success to this organization in overcoming these current challenges. The mission of supporting our LGBT men and women in uniform is first and foremost the basic element of all we do. AVER is confident that OutServe-SLDN will continue to carry out its important and highly valued mission.
Happy Birthday United States Army
June 14th marks the 238th birthday of the United States Army. The Continental Army was established on this day in 1775, marking the birth of the United States Military.
You can view the Army’s birthday website here: http://www.army.mil/birthday/238/
Words of Alan Rogers
When I was visiting in DC a few weeks ago for Memorial Day, former AVER DC Chapter President, Tony Smith shared with me some correspondence he received from Major Alan G. Rogers, a member of DC AVER and the first openly gay casualty of the war in Iraq. Alan was killed by an improvised explosive device on January 27th, 2008. Tony received the second message below on January 26th, the day before Alan died. These notes are a reminder of the serious nature of military service, the dedication of those who serve, and the fragile gift of life. Many of the people I met in DC knew Alan personally. Tony writes “He is missed by many friends and his memory lives on in all that we do.” Alan Rogers is a great hero to all of us in AVER, and we all remain inspired by his life and sacrifice, both those who knew him personally and those who did not have the gift of having met him.
2013 AVER National Convention, Rocky Mountain Chapter
On-line registration for the 2013 AVER National Convention is now available at the following site: http://www.aver-rmc.org/calendar/aver-natl-convention-2013/
Denver’s Rocky Mountain Chapter is excited to be the host of the 2013 AVER National Convention. AVER RMC is pleased to open on-line registration beginning today.
RMC has chosen the theme “Continuing to Serve” for the bi-annual convention. Please consider attending this vital event as we elect new national officers and plan strategies to build chapters and shape the future mission of AVER as the nation’s LGBT Veterans Service Organization.
Now is the time to consider running for national office. All national board positions are open, and AVER members are encouraged to step forward to help lead our organization. Please consider running for the national board and help chart the future course of AVER.
Danny Ingram, National President
American Veterans for Equal Rights
AVER President to Testify Before US Civil Rights Commission
American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) National President Danny Ingram has been invited to testify before the United States Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) on Friday, May 31, 2013, at 9:30 AM at the Commission’s headquarters in Washington, DC.
The briefing will be entitled “Is the Federal Government Adequately Protecting the Civil Rights of Our Veterans and Service Members Who Have Fought for Our Rights?” According to the USCCR, the purpose of the briefing is “to examine the current status and enforcement of veterans and service members’ civil rights by various federal agencies.”