A Memorial Day Moment

A reader writes:

This is Fleet Week in New York City, and the town is crawling with sailors and marines roaming the town. At 4: 00 a.m. on Sunday morning, I was walking, hand in hand, with a sweet guy I had just met at a bar, a Kurdish immigrant from Turkey. He was off to his home in Brooklyn; I was taking the subway to the ferry back to my home in Staten Island. Walking down Eighth Avenue, we bumped into two marines asking directions to the ferry terminal. Since they were out of cash, they were planning on walking the several miles to the terminal, even though they were visibly drunk — and heading in the wrong direction!

I told my Kurdish friend that I was going to catch a taxi instead of the subway and escort these marines to the ferry. The marines patiently waited while my Kurdish friend and I exchanged telephone numbers and kissed goodbye. On the ride to Whitehall ferry terminal, the marines offered profuse thanks for ensuring that they'd be back at base before their 6:00 a.m. deadline. During our conversation, one of the marines mentioned that his brother, a second lieutenant in the navy, is gay.

It was then I realized what a perfect American moment this was, a gay man, free to be out in a great city; a Kurdish immigrant, building a new life in America, free to express who he is; and two brave, very young men, totally accepting of the gay man who offered them a lift, enjoying the city—and ready to offer themselves, if needed, to defend the freedom we take for granted. The moment caused me to well up with emotion, but I calmly thanked them for their service and escorted them to the terminal. They thanked me again and offered their assistance if I ever needed it.

It's a rough world out there; it's good to know the marines have your back.

My impression over two decades is that most Americans, unlike some of their leaders, are tolerant, open, warm people - to immigrants, to minorities, to each other. I focus a lot on this blog on what's still wrong in the world. It's good every now and again to acknowledge what's right. And to thank those servicemembers who secure our ability to live here, in freedom.