War veteran loses his job after 54 years for gay slur

A war veteran was sacked from the company he had worked for for 54 years after a gay slur he used while defending homosexuals in the army.

Freddy Schmitt, 82, from New York, was told he no longer had a job with American Airlines after allegedly using the term 'faggot' during a workplace session about 'Don't Ask Don't Tell'.

Sacked: Freddy Schmitt the 82-year-old WWII vet was handed his walking papers after allegedly using a derogatory term for gay people in the army during a workplace bull session

The company said it did not matter that the World War II veteran was defending gay soldiers' right to serve and that the context of the comment - 'Back then a faggot coulda saved my life' - did not change their decision.

JFK airport: Mr Schmitt worked here for 54 years as baggage crew cheif for American Airlines

Nor did the fact he has a blemish-free employment record, or the pleas from his work colleagues to give 'Papa Freddy', as he was known as, another chance.

Co-worker Jack Sullivan said: 'The guy is like everybody's father here.'

Mr Schmitt, a baggage crew chief from Brooklyn, said he simply wants the same thing the U.S. Army gave him six decades ago - an honourable discharge.

According to the New York Post, he made the remark in December and was immediately suspended and then fired after two hearings last month. 

He said he wishes he could have stayed on until November when he was planning to retire, so he could leave with the milestone under his belt .

'It would look nice, going out with 55 years. After 54 years, all I want is to go out in good faith,' he said.

Mr Schmitt is appealing the decision but it could take months, according to union officials.

Under the terms of the firing, Mr Schmitt retains his pension but loses his health benefits and the travel privileges his wife of 45 years, Viola, enjoyed. 

Openly gay, lesbian or bisexual people are currently barred from military service.

'Don't ask, don't tell' is the policy restricting the United States military personal from efforts to discriminate or harass closeted homosexual or bisexual  service members or applicants. The restrictions are mandated by federal law

In 2008, President Obama ordered a full repeal of these laws and pledged again in 2009 to the Human Rights Campaign that the ban would be ended but so far it has not come into effect.

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk


By DAILY MAIL REPORTER