Frank Kameny in WWII and today

Kameny leads 25th annual wreath laying
at Tomb of the Unknowns

The Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, DC (GLAA) celebrated Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2004 with its twenty-fifth annual wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.

GLAA co-founder Frank Kameny, a World War II combat veteran, led a small group in placing the wreath at 3:05 p.m. The wreath bore blue ribbons with white lettering that read, "Gay and Lesbian Activist Alliance of Washington" (a slight misspelling by the florist). There was a light rain, and the large Memorial Day crowd of observers maintained respectful silence with hands over hearts as taps was played. The solemn military ceremony honored all servicemembers who have given their lives in defense of America, including but not limited to the many thousands of gay and lesbian servicemembers who have done so.

GLAA has conducted the ceremony every year since 1980, when Dr. Kameny successfully fought the U.S. Army for the right to do so. Earlier on Memorial Day, Kameny had marched in a parade for WWII veterans. His story as a private first class in World War II is included in Documenting Courage: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Veterans Speak Out, which features the stories of GLBT veterans who served under discriminatory policies. It is a joint publication of the Human Rights Campaign, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, and American Veterans for Equal Rights.