Page 6 - Davis-Monthan AFB Desert Lightning News 6-19-15
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6 June 19, 2015 Desert Lightning News
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Diversity: The Policy, the patriot and the fight
Staff Sgt. Rachelle Blake “Admittedly, we had some ‘ro- humbling moment, and I’m proud “The Airmen in my charge
55th Wing Public Affairs mantic’ history, which was illegal to say they are my parents.” knew I wouldn’t judge them for
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, at the time,” he said. “Four months But, that day never came. anything, be it alcoholism, prob-
Neb. -- Diversity comes in all
forms and effects everyone dif- later I was called to my command- “The day my orders were com- lems with work and training or
ferently. For one 49th Intelli-
gence Squadron reservist, it was er’s office to receive my discharge. pleted the law was overturned more personal matters such as
his sexuality.
I immediately started out-process- in the 10th circuit of appeals seeking advice on sexual assault
“While I wouldn’t identify as
bisexual, I never really made a ing with my unit and my security in California, and my life was issues or relationship woes,” Ve-
distinction between genders,
colors, races...anything,” said clearance was revoked. My com- put on hold,” Velander said. “I lander said. “These are some
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Ve-
lander. “I always knew connec- mand fought for me and delayed did end up staying in, making things people never run into as
tions instead of genders were
important for friendship and ro- my discharge. This was at the staff sergeant and becoming the NCOs, and in my short time as
mance alike.”
time where the law was in conten- world’s best boss, or so my coffee an active duty sergeant, I checked
In 2008, he began his journey
in the military, which at that tion at the Senate.” cup says. Now I’m a reservist, a all of those boxes and more. I
time still fell under the Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tell policy. But, this The discharge came as a com- full-time education student and believe my experiences helped
did not deter Velander.
plete shock to everybody he knew, a sign maker.” me tremendously, and I believe I
“It’s not something I thought
about in the least bit. I knew I but it didn’t change the relation- Velander just recently separat- thrived as a front-line supervisor.”
was fit, intelligent, patriotic and
motivated, the exact things the ships he had forged in the least ed from active duty and returned In his short time at Offutt, he
military looks for in an Airman,”
he said. “There was never a time bit. It was those relationships that home to the Omaha-area where has already made an impression
pre or post Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
that I felt I was at risk for harass- kept his leadership fighting. he was raised. He likes to look on his fellow Airmen.
ment, discharge or unfair treat-
ment. People accepted me for “Having a lieutenant colonel back on his experience in a posi- “He is one of the most profes-
me, and didn’t care about frivo-
lous things such as the person I and a senior master sergeant tive light. sional Airmen I’ve met since be-
was dating at the time.”
on your team is a great feeling, “I truly believe without the ing assigned to Offutt,” said U.S.
In April 2010, Velander said an
Air Force friend, who was openly especially when those gentle- pending discharge I would never Air Force Tech. Sgt. Lawrence
gay, committed suicide.
men could make my life easier,” have been the man I am today,” Taber, 97th IS. “He has an ex-
Velander said. “I felt very much Velander said. “It forced me tremely positive attitude toward
part of the unit and the family we to reflect upon my weaknesses his fellow Airmen, always willing
built together. Beyond that, my and shortcomings as well as my to provide support, even to the
flight chief and supervisor gave strengths. I know now exactly most menial tasks, and he does
me ample time to speak with the how much pressure I can take. it cheerfully. He’s one of the rea-
Area Defense Counsel, look for Most importantly, I became a sons that coming to work is the
jobs on the outside and get en- more empathetic and socially antithesis to dread.”
rolled into college.” conscious person. All of a sud- Taber said the unit and the Air
When he told his parents the den, I was thrust into the LGBT Force are better off for having
situation they were also 100 per- rights movement, and I heard so Velander as an Airman.
cent supportive. many stories from civilians as Throughout the past few
“I told my parents immediately well as military members, and it years, Velander has been forced
what happened, unabridged,” said made me want to do anything I to meet his diversity head-on
Velander. “They asked me when could. So I fought.” and admits the military wouldn’t
I’d be home and told me my room He said his journey has also be the same without it.
would be ready for me. It was a helped him as a supervisor. See DIVERSITY, Page 12
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