Last Thursday 30 July 2015, American Veterans for Equal Rights joined OUTSERVE for the first ever 2d Marine Logistics Group LGBT Pride Event aboard  Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The event was attended by 2d MLG Commander Brigadier General Charles G. Chiarotti and other members of his command staff. OUTSERVE members Marine SSgt Monique Clarke and  National Treasurer Jeffry Piela-Tam, US Navy Hospital Corpsman, coordinated the event for OUTSERVE.

Pictured: Danny Ingram with Marines and Sailors about Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune for their first ever LGBT Pride event

SSgt Clarke delivered the main address. AVER was very proud to participate in this event in which we shared information about the history of LGBT service and information about our efforts to lift the ban and advocate for the equality of LGBT service members and veterans.

Pictured: Danny Ingram and Marine SSgt Monique Clarke at Camp Lejeune

Saddly, last week the national LGBT military community lost a great champion with the passing of US Army CW3 Tania Dunbar. I had the honor of representing American Veterans for Equal Rights at the memorial service for Chief Dunbar in Fayetteville, NC, home of Fort Bragg.

Pictured: Deborah Graham-Dunbar and CW3 Tonia Dunbar

Tania Dunbar was active with OUTSERVE from its inception and was a co-founder of SPARTA (Service Members, Partners, and Allies for Respect and Tolerance for All).  Tania’s wife Deborah Graham-Dunbar is a co-founder of Military Partner’s and Families Coalition.  Chief Dunbar was the recipient of the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal in addition to numerous other medals and commendations including the Kosovo Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars.  “Chief” will be greatly missed.  Thank you so much Christopher Hooper for inviting me to this service. CW3 Dunbar will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery.

Danny Ingram, National
President Emeritus
American Veterans for Equal Rights