Out in the Mountains Veterens Return Medals Lesbian, gay and bisexual veterans marked the July 4th holiday by par- ticipating in the official Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C. A contingent of vets and their supporters, including Gene Barfield of Vermont, marched through the nation’s capital to display their patriotism and their pride in having served‘ their country. Thou- sands of spectators lining the parade route cheered the gay and lesbian vet- erans, who passed the reviewing stand chanting, “Lift the Ban, Now!” After the parade, a military color guard led the gay and lesbian contingent around Lafayette Park to a rally in front of the White House. Veterans who had served in the Army, Navy and Air Force attempted to present their service medals to President Clinton, as a protest, against, the military’s antigay policy. Despite a prior agreement with White House police, guards refused to’ accept the medals from the veterans, who. then left them at the White House gate. “Those medals represent some of my greatest achievements and most cher- ished moments of my adult life,” said Tanya Domi, director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) Military Freedom Initiative, and one of" the veterans who returned her medals to the President. “The gay and lesbian contingent being included in the parade for the first time was historic, and the crowd support was thrilling. We clear- ly have the hearts and minds of mil- lions of Americans with us on ending this discrimination.” The July 4th actions kicked off the Na- tional Mobilization Against the Ban, sponsored by NGLTF and the- Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Veterans of America (GLBVA). V Letters to the Editor Dear OITM, Thank you for helping me find that special wonderful someone. Jean V “Ask me how to save on car insurance.” Ifymbrmgyunhorneandcarm1mnoemAllstate,youcou1dmoeiveattraaive savm§myomAllstatemrmsnanoepoHcyJustgivemeacaflabwtfl1eAllstate Multl-Line Discount. Itoould allft Call Ellen Hetherington - 863-3808 Yothainpodhnnds.