Just because of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
I was aware of 1Lt Dan Choi [follow link above]but I was not aware of USAF combat pilot Lt Col Fehrenbach. Here’s some background info from Congress’ letter (77 Reps) to barry asking him to suspend investigations and discharges in regards to DADT:
Lieutenant Colonel Fehrenbach, Assistant Director of Operations for the 366th Operations Support Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, has honorably served his country for 18 years as an F-15E pilot. He has received nine air medals, including a Medal for Heroism during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and was hand-picked to protect the airspace over Washington, D.C. after the Pentagon was attacked on September 11, 2001. Lieutenant Colonel Fehrenbach, who has flown combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan against the Taliban and al Qaeda, continues to serve while the recommendation for his honorable discharge moves forward to a review board, and eventually to the Secretary of the Air Force. Just two years away from his 20-year retirement, he stands to lose $46,000 a year in retirement and medical benefits for the rest of his life if discharged.
His entire life’s work this far.
- 88 Combat missions
- 2,188 Total flying hours
- 1,487 Fighter hours
- 400 Combat hours
18 years spent defending our country thrown away because of something that has nothing to do with the performance of his duty.
It is unthinkable that the Pentagon would allow this to continue.
It is unconscionable that the Commander in Chief would allow such blatant discrimination.
And there are no words to describe the President of the United States’ cowardice in pretending he can’t do anything.
He can.
He can suspend discharges immediately with an executive order.
He can lobby Congress like he has already done.
He can, with one swipe of the pen, prevent a man–who was awarded a medal for his heroism–from losing a job that only a select few are capable of and which benefits every American.
Here is Lt Col Fehrenbach discussing his case with Rachel Maddow. He was told that his presence was inconsistent with good order, discipline and morale when no one in his squadron or anyone else he works with even knew about the case and will only be learning about it because of this interview.
They should be honest and say – you are an excellent pilot who has performed his duty with distinction but we have no choice in the matter. They shouldn’t say such crap to a man of this caliber who has served 18 years.
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Born on an Air Force base – his family is Air Force – he’s been Air Force for 18 years. When he found out that allegations has been made in May 2008 he was “absolutely devastated“ & felt it was “end of his life as he knew it“.
When he was served papers in September 2008, he said he initially “just wanted it to go away” and to have “a quick, quiet, fair, honorable discharge”.
Then he thought he could use his unique perspective to speak out and help others because he had faith barry was going to do what he promised and he decided to fight it.
MADDOW: Did you think that President Obama if he were to be elected was going to end the policy?
FEHRENBACH: I did. I had tremendous hope around September and that’s actually when I reversed my position and decided to fight. Because I did have hope that President Obama would follow through on his commitment to change the policy and initiate a policy of nondiscrimination.
….I would hope that the president moves fast and fulfills his promise to us and proposes a policy of nondiscrimination.
I did…I had…I did have…would…I would hope. Not good.
I hope for your sake, Lt Col, that for once barry does something out of “character”.
As is, from his own words and body language and his minions’ comments, he has no intention of doing anything – either personally or as a lobbyist on your behalf.
Lt Col Fehrenbach told Herr Olbermann on Countdown that barry looked him in the eye and said he would get it done.
And for the first time, Olbermann said something truthful regarding barry. That as concerns DADT:
“The President is goddamned wrong!”.
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