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**Pete** · 03-14-2009, 06:22

http://www.annistonstar.com/news/as-news.htm

It was in the Anniston Star on 03-13-2009. Click on the link and drag down to the 13th. It's one of those newspapers that you have to be registered to check out old stories. I ain't registered.

Edited to add a picture link and part of the story

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/11...alker1annn.jpg

"He was among the most elite Special Forces soldiers in the U.S. Army. Trained expertly in explosives, he was a motivated weapon of war and deployed twice to the Middle East during the first Gulf War. Commanding officers praised his professional performance and noted his distinction among his peers. But a gay Green Beret in a "don't ask, don't tell" Army walked a different kind of minefield.

Retired Staff Sgt. James Walker, of Lincoln, brought the story of his disrupted career in the Army to about 20 students, residents and members of JSU Students for Equality, a straight and Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) alliance group."

The story mentions explosives (18C ?) and "twice to the Middle East" during the first Gulf War. I think his highest award is an MSM (?) and on the right side just along the edge of his sleeve a bit of red. No CIB/CMB - even the 18s at Gp HQ got CIBs. Most of the 18 series I know that went, went and stayed put.

Tons of HQs were all over the place though. Lots of people put in time running a desk and came home when it was all over. No shame in that, everybody is a little cog on one of Big Army's wheels. Need all the wheels to keep the machine running.

His life story just reads a little more than what might be there.

03-14-2009, 06:22	#2
Pete Quiet Professional Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Fayetteville Posts: 13,080	Anniston Star; 03-13-2009 http://www.annistonstar.com/news/as-news.htm It was in the Anniston Star on 03-13-2009. Click on the link and drag down to the 13th. It's one of those newspapers that you have to be registered to check out old stories. I ain't registered. Edited to add a picture link and part of the story http://img.photobucket.com/albums/11...alker1annn.jpg "He was among the most elite Special Forces soldiers in the U.S. Army. Trained expertly in explosives, he was a motivated weapon of war and deployed twice to the Middle East during the first Gulf War. Commanding officers praised his professional performance and noted his distinction among his peers. But a gay Green Beret in a "don't ask, don't tell" Army walked a different kind of minefield. Retired Staff Sgt. James Walker, of Lincoln, brought the story of his disrupted career in the Army to about 20 students, residents and members of JSU Students for Equality, a straight and Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) alliance group." The story mentions explosives (18C ?) and "twice to the Middle East" during the first Gulf War. I think his highest award is an MSM (?) and on the right side just along the edge of his sleeve a bit of red. No CIB/CMB - even the 18s at Gp HQ got CIBs. Most of the 18 series I know that went, went and stayed put. Tons of HQs were all over the place though. Lots of people put in time running a desk and came home when it was all over. No shame in that, everybody is a little cog on one of Big Army's wheels. Need all the wheels to keep the machine running. His life story just reads a little more than what might be there. Last edited by Pete; 03-14-2009 at 07:21. Reason: Photo link and Key part of story
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