American Gulag

Avilia and I agreed to write to each other wherever we should wind up. And we did. I was sent to Germany and had a blast. I found all the gay troops and gay German bars; and was finally giving myself permission to be who I am. Avilia went to Vietnam and saw lots of action. Letter after letter came from him telling me of the horrific nature of combat, and the jungle and the people and the napalm and the struggle and disease. It was almost unbearable - but, as he put it, it was far better than the gulag. Then, when the letters stopped coming I got concerned. I lost him for about four months. Then, through his sister, I found out he was wounded and was going home to San Diego. He took a piece of shrapnel in the side and was paralyzed from the waist down. He was a war hero; a genuine, fucking war hero. A genuine, fucking, gay war hero, who got his wish to serve his country. He told the pink lie to do so - but he got his wish, and he sacrificed his legs to do it.

The rest of this story is non-military. I was discharged and pursued my academic career. My research papers kept me in demand, truly in demand. I gave lectures on every aspect of the Gay Community, including speeches on the Military experience. I would ramble on about the history of homosexuality in the military, the American Revolution, Alexander Hamilton, Von Steuben - then, I would speak about the American Gulag, the Special Training Company, B Platoon and my experiences. I would tell of my own homophobia and how I managed to overcome it. I would speak of Paul Avilia and his bravery. I would end every lecture on this subject the same way.

"Avilia took a piece of shrapnel in the side and was paralyzed from the waist down. He was a war hero; a genuine, fucking war hero. A genuine, fucking, gay war hero, who got his wish to serve his country. He told the pink lie to do so - but he got his wish, and he sacrificed his legs to do it."

I would then hold up the Medal of Honor.

"Here's his precious medal," I would shout emotionally, "for conduct above the call of duty. His action saved his squad. He gave his legs to give them their lives. Always the angel! My angel. And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to my life-partner of twenty-eight years, Paul Avilia."

Paul would wheel himself out to a standing ovation. I would join him.

"So, ladies and gentlemen, there have been gays in the military protecting your freedom and making this nation great, despite the army and its policies. You asked and we've told. FTA."

"Fuck the Army," said Paul. "Give me my medal, Gilligan."

That evening as I wheeled my precious angel home a rare thirty-year event occurred. The sky was filled with shooting stars taking our breaths away.

"Oh my God," said Paul. "Holy shit! Would you believe it; twice in our lifetimes. Ah Maria, what wonders."

"The stars are singing tonight, my dear," I said.

"What wonders to behold," he said.

We were transfixed on the spot watching the stars like no other audience upon this earth.

"All those angels," I thought. "All those glorious, wonderful angels."

What a wonder to behold!

Finis