It is Memorial Day weekend this weekend here in the US, and it is when we stop and remember those who served, fought and died for their country.Unfortunately those who have served in the US Military have never been able to serve out and proud, but that is not to say that many of the LGBT have not served their country proudly.
Today's Out Spotlight is about two such men, who served and found a much more. Today's Out Spotlight is Jack Reavley and Bob Claunch, US Army.
"A half century ago an Army sergeant started going out with his commanding officer.
The two men came out by confronting the troops in their unit.
They've been together ever since..." - Bob and Jack's 52 Year Adventure.
In 1951, Lt.Jack Reavley and Army Sgt.Bob Claunch both were stationed in Munich during the Korean War. It was that same year that the U.S. military had declared homosexuality as an "unacceptable risk" and dishonorably discharged approximately 2,000 men and women from all branches of the armed services.
It was also the same year Bob and his commanding officer, Jack fell in love.
Jack had served World War II had remained in the Army Reserve, was called back to duty during the Korean War. He was Bob's commanding officer at Armed Forces Radio in Munich, Germany.
It was love at first sight, Bob said.
They may have found love, but it wasn't easy for the pair to be in love. "They couldn't be seen alone together without raising eyebrows or risking the scrutiny of military police." And then there was the matter that Jack had a wife and two young daughters back in Texas. Both were weighed down with guilt.After keeping their relationship quiet for close to a year, others in the unit began to notice their relationship and rumors grew. If they were found out it meant the possibility of being court-martialed. Instead of denying it to the troops in the unit they confronted them about it.
Lt.Reavley called a meeting. He had his secretary, Olga, a lesbian who had helped conceal their romance, pretend to phone AFR headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany.
"I said, if anybody has anything to say about Sgt. Claunch and Lt. Reavley's association . . . now's your chance," Jack said. No one said a word.
"We didn't admit guilt, and we didn't say we weren't. So case closed. And the rumors stopped."
Soon after Jack and Bob finished their hitch and returned to the US with honorable discharges.
Jack chose not to head home to Texas, but joined Bob in his native Los Angeles. They came out to Bob's mother and sister and told them they were going to be together. His family did not approve. And that was the easier of the two family situations.It was harder when it came to Jack's family. Jack went back to his family in Texas to explain things while Bob waited for him in New Orleans.
Still to this day, emotional about what he did, Jack said, "Morally, it wasn't the right thing for me to do, to leave her. She was such a sweet girl -- I hated to hurt her."
After several months in Texas, Jack wrote a letter to his wife when she was out of town. By the time she came home, he was gone.
"That was the only way to do it. A clean break and for me to get the heck out of there, and out of the way so she could go on with her life."
His wife went on to remarry and Jack had a relationship with both of his daughters for many many years. It was only until a son-in law asked about Jack's inheritance (and that it would left to Bob if Bob survived him), that has caused a rift in the relationships.
Jack and Bob jumped all over the US following radio jobs. Eventually, settling in Raymond, Washington, where they purchased KAPA-AM., They next 27 years broadcasting music, sports and local news.
Retiring and moving back to LA they came into a second career in film and television. For the twenty years, they were extras in "General Hospital," "The Bold and the Beautiful" and "Pretty Woman."
In 2006, Stu Maddux produced the documentary "Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure," about their life long romance.For most of their lives, marriage was not an option. But when same-sex marriage became legal in California they considered tying the knot, and announced on NPR they would, but reconsidered.
"I know that we've been together a long time," Claunch said, "but the idea of cementing this relationship seems unnecessary."
"I suppose it's because for so many, many, many years and centuries, men have not married men, and women have not married women," Claunch said. "We've been brought up not having anything like that, not wanting anything like that. . . . We've always been given the impression that it was a horrible kind of situation, and it is not easy to cross over that line."
They are registered domestic partners in California, but even getting married would not allow them federal marriage benefits including Social Security and survivor benefits that other couples are granted.
But they are reconsidering marriage if opportunity happens again, "If the opportunity to marry comes again, they said they probably would take advantage of it -- and hope that federal marriage benefits would someday follow."
After more than 58 years years together, they now live in Triangle Square, a 104-unit complex in Hollywood of mostly low income LGBT seniors. They have also become advocates for gay senior adults.We recognize those individuals who served in silence and those who spoke up to bring change to the opinions of the armed services and the citizens of the United States that all can serve no matter be race, creed, gender, or orientation. And especially for those who sacrificed their lives for freedom for ALL.
"When Americans remember and honor those who gave their lives fighting it never occurs to them that some of the strongest, bravest, and most heroic were a
It is time for us, as a community, to remedy that.”
– Leonard Matlovich
The Advocate, 1987.