86 year-old WWII vet supports gay marriage 'What do you think I fought at Omaha Beach for?'

[BirminghamExaminer]

Spooner said that he was testifying "because of a conversation I had last June when I was voting. A woman at my polling place asked me, "Do you believe in equal, equality for gay and lesbian people?" I was pretty surprised to be asked a question like that. It made no sense to me. Finally I asked her, "What do you think I fought for at Omaha Beach?" I haven't seen much, so much blood and guts, so much suffering, much sacrifice. For what? For freedom and equality. These are the values that give America a great nation, one worth dying for." See the video of Spooner, a WWII vet, testifying in favor of marriage equality in Maine.

[Captain Hilts]

1. Yes, this is terrific. Oddly enough, I read a submarine veterans discussion board...

and not one of the crazy right wing cranks on there has ever said anything negative about colleagues on the boats that were gay. Not one. They seem to feel if you can do your job, it's not an issue. I realize that on a sub you pee by yourself and shower by yourself, but still. These same folks are going apeshit over the possibility of women on subs.

But, it continues to astonish me that they don't have a problem with gay boat sailors. Good on 'em.

[BirminghamExaminer]

2. I saw Tammy Duckworth in an interview the other day...

And she was talking about how when you are injured or need help, you don't care whether the person who is coming to aid you is black, white, male, female, only that they are your fellow American GI and I felt she was inclusive of all and I suspect that most of todays' military personnel feel the same way. At least I hope.

[ChicagoSuz219]

6. I LOVE TAMMY DUCKWORTH!! nt

[quiet.american]

3. K&R nt

[elocs]

4. My dad fought on Omaha Beach. What a time of terror it was for those young men. n/t

[Initech]

8. My grandfather was in D-Day.

Shit I cant even imagine what that was like. I think the HBO series "Band Of Brothers" should be required viewing for everyone - us and the teabaggers included.

[applegrove]

5. Brings a tear to my eye. Really touching.

[Initech]

7. Now this is a guy who gets what America's really about.