As I drive through my county, I notice a sign outside a flower shop, “Welcome Home Sergeant Ben Hartmann,” and I’m relieved to know one of our own has returned. When I pull into the parking lot at the local grocery store, I see yellow ribbons on bumpers that read, “Support My Soldier.” Walking my dog downtown, I pass a memorial for our veterans, and my heart swells with pride. I fondly remember a time when my brother, wearing his dress uniform, walked up to the cashier to pay for his lunch only to find that an anonymous patriot had already bought his meal. All across the United States, Americans take pride in their military and express thanks for their service.

When gestures of appreciation are so common, the booing of a soldier is nothing less than shocking. During the Fox News debate on September 22, a gay man in uniform was booed for asking if the candidates would reenact Don’t Ask Don’t Tell if elected president. This policy, recently repealed, kept soldiers from exercising their First Amendment right of free speech; however, candidates like Rick Santorum were quick to say they would reinstate it. No one on stage thanked the soldier for his service. No one on the stage pointed out that the majority of Americans agreed with the repeal, as was reported by a Gallup Poll in 2010. They didn’t cite Admiral Mike Mullen and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the nations topmost defense officials, who oppose the policy because it forces service members to lie.

The solider on screen was a homosexual who may one day lose a limb or his life defending the rights and freedoms of his fellow citizens. Rights and freedoms he has only recently been able to enjoy. For he could not have said, “I love you” to his boyfriend in public for fear of losing his career, his benefits, and honors because of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. This policy forced our men and women in uniform to hide what is one of the most important relationships in their lives.

At graduation from boot camp, the wives and husbands of our bravest are reunited after months of separation, yet our gay troops did not engage in the same public celebration when they achieved the same goal. The love of one’s spouse is often what keeps a warrior steadfast on the battlefield. The reassurance of a boyfriend or girlfriend may soothe the grief caused by the loss of a comrade in action. Many, like my brother, meet their future wife or husband while enlisted. Until recently, the homosexual patriot had a drastically different experience than others in the armed forces. She could not fall in love openly while serving her country nor could she find relief in the comforting arms of her partner after the death of a fellow soldier. 

When we say that we support our fighters, do we also support their inalienable rights? It seems that some in the audience of the Republican debate do not.

To me, a member of our armed forces who is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice has the same right to freedom of speech as I do. The repeal of a policy that restricts our soldiers’ rights and strips those who have fought bravely in faraway lands of their jobs, benefits, and honors should be celebrated not booed.

As I greet my neighbors in my county and fellow citizens of these United States, I hope they love and appreciate our men and women of the military by recognizing their rights and freedoms. Rights and freedoms these civil servants would willingly die to protect.