Mother of 9/11 Hero Calls on McCain for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal


Heroes come in many forms, and Mark Bingham was one. The rugby player and public relations executive helped storm the cockpit of United Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, in an attempt to reclaim the plane from terrorists. He died along with the other passengers when the plane plunged into the ground, but may have save innumerable lives by preventing the aircraft from hitting the U.S. Capitol. During a memorial service, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said, "I may very well owe my life to Mark."
Bingham was also openly gay.
Now, Bingham's mother Alice Hoagland is calling upon Sen. McCain to withdraw his "very regrettable" opposition to the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that prevents openly gay people from serving in the military. She toldSalon that she wants to write McCain a letter telling him that "Repeal is an idea whose time has come -- quite a while back."
McCain has been among the most vocal opponents of repeal. He is also himself arguably a hero, having been a naval aviator who was shot down, held prisoner, and tortured during the Vietnam War, and who refused an offer to be released before other Americans who had been held captive longer. I wonder if he would face Alice Hoagland in person and tell her that her son -- despite his proven heroism against armed opponents -- would not have been good enough to serve in the military, should he have wished. I daresay the military needs more people like Bingham.
Heroes come in many forms. McCain could become one again by bravely changing his stance on DADT -- or by continuing to oppose it, he could tarnish his own reputation as a hero who has always put the best interests of his military comrades first.
by Dana Rudolph who is the founder and publisher of Mombian, a blog and resource directory for LGBT parents.
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