Eleven veterans inducted into LGBT Veterans’ Wall of Honor

Friday Nov. 9, a crowd of more than 200 LGBT community members, veterans and allies gathered to honor 11 veterans who were inducted into the Benjamin F. Dillingham III and Bridget Wilson LGBT Veterans’ Wall of Honor at the San Diego LGBT Community Center.

The veterans honored were:

• Donald P. Kambic, U.S. Army, 1942-1946

• George Haverstick, U.S. Navy, 1943-1946*

• Benjamin M. Fowler III, U.S. Army, 1948-1963*

• Harvey Milk, U.S. Navy, 1951-1955*

• Jeri Dilno, U.S. Air Force, 1958-1961

• Robert Lynn, U.S. Navy, 1961-1968

• Stan Berry, U.S. Navy, 1968-1972*

• Luke Terpstra, U.S. Army, 1971-1973

• Jim Woodward, U.S. Navy, 1972-1974

• Lisa Kove, U.S. Navy, 1978-1982

• August Provost, U.S. Navy, 2008-2009*

*deceased

The honorees’ service for the United States military covered World War II, the Vietnam War through to the recent Iraq War. Each of the honorees were vetted and chosen by a Veteran’s Advisory Council chaired by former Navy Petty Officer Joseph Rocha who made international headlines with his own discharge under the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy and his subsequent battle for its repeal.

“This is really important to me,” said Luke Terpstra, a veteran of the U.S. Army from the Vietnam War era and current chair of the Hillcrest Town Council. “When I served I couldn’t make a big deal out of serving openly. I couldn’t say that my sexual orientation was more important than your war. So it’s good that we can be recognized for our service.”

One honoree recalled the times before Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

“I didn’t serve in the time of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” said Jeri Dilno, a U.S. Air Force veteran and longtime advocate for the LGBT and women’s community. “I served when the motto was: don’t even think about it.”

Jeri Dilno received an “undesirable” discharge when it was discovered that she was a lesbian. She fought the characterization of her service with the help of fellow veteran and honoree Jim Woodward.

“I will always be thankful to a man who will be honored here later – Jim Woodward,” said Jeri as she received her certificate.

Also in the crowd were two straight allies and survivors of Pearl Harbor: Chief Petty Officer Gordon Jones (U.S. Navy retired) and Capt. Jack Evans (U.S. Navy retired) who attended the event with their wives.

Capt. Evan’s wife, Nancy Evans, is a veteran of the Marine Corps.

When asked for a comment she adoringly told San Diego LGBT Weekly, “Oh, write about Jack, he’s the hero, he’s the one with the Purple Heart.”

“I started in the Navy as a seaman and I retired as a Captain,” said Capt. Evans who went from the lowest rank to one of the most senior ranks in the U.S. Navy.

One honoree used her time to speak to remind the crowd of the fight ahead.

“The fight is not over,” said Lisa Kove, U.S. Navy veteran and executive director of DODFEDGLOBE. “There is still a T in LGBT and as long as they must serve in silence, we are not done and we need your help.”