As our country celebrates Memorial Day this weekend, it seems appropriate for me to devote a post to the honor of Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, a key aide to General Washington during the Revolutionary War. A Prussian by birth, this no-nonsense German military man left Europe with his reputation under a cloud, for von Steuben had probably engaged in what we might today call "inappropriate behavior" with certain men under his command. While the Baron would probably not have identified himself as "homosexual" in the modern sense of the word, he preferred the company of men and formed deep and lasting friendships with many of the young men on his staff. Von Steuben became fervently dedicated to the cause of American Independence, and through his work as the Army's first Inspector-General, he was instrumental in building up the fighting force that eventually triumphed (along with our gallant French allies) at Yorktown.
How sad that for so many years in our own times, this great German-American would have been kept out of the Armed Forces because of his probable homosexual orientation. How sad, also, that so few gay Americans know his story and the vital role he played in giving birth to our great nation.
Yet there is reason for hope! In recent days, it would seem that a few small steps have been taken toward ending the unjust and short-sighted "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the US Military. While the road to full acceptance for gay Americans who choose to risk their lives to defend our nation remains a long one, with many obstacles and setbacks still ahead, at least a little progress has been made. With nearly 80% of the country as a whole behind allowing gay people the freedom to serve openly and with pride, it seems but a matter of time until a pointless and mean-spirited policy of bigotry will come to an end. On that day, from his place of rest in Heaven, I am sure that Baron von Steuben and a great "cloud of witnesses" in full dress uniform will look down upon America and smile!
So on this Memorial Day weekend, I would like to express my gratitude to you, Baron von Steuben, for your sacrifice on the behalf of all Americans, gay or straight. I would also like to say "Thank You" to all the men and women serving in the Armed Forces today, whether close to home or far away. May the Lord God of Hosts and the Glorious St. Michael bless you and keep you safe! May our Nation's Heavenly Patroness, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, keep all of our enlisted men and women and their families and friends ever close to her compassionate Heart! And may the soul of Baron von Steuben, and the souls of all those brave individuals who have given their lives so that others might live in freedom, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace!
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