ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 21, 1993                   TAG: 9304210338
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ROLE OF MILITARY IS NOT SOCIAL REFORM

FRANK Browning (April 7 commentary, "Gays would shake men's frail sense of themselves") has given the best argument for upholding the ban on homosexuals in the military.

Service in the armed forces is a privilege, not a right. There are many heterosexuals who cannot qualify for service, not just because of failing the physical or educational requirements, but because they are unable, emotionally, to adapt to the unique needs for uniformity. Any action or distraction from this requirement affects the mission of the unit.

The entire commentary is an insult to the armed forces. Browning should take a trip to Arlington National Cemetery and look on the graves of men and women who served this nation. They waded in mud, marched through jungles, fought sand and snow, heat and cold, while the overt homosexuals enjoyed the beer, the Bill of Rights and the friendly skies.

The revision of attitudes that he pleads for, in the face of his derogatory comments about heterosexuals, should come from the civilian community. The armed forces have too many other commitments to be asked to do social reform. JAMES A. HANCOCK JR. BUCHANAN 


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