The Pulse Attack Orlando

As most people have heard by now there was a Terrorist attack at a Gay Club, The Pulse, in Orlando early this morning. There are approximately 50 People killed and over 53 injured. The person who did the killing was apparently from Afghanistan and born and raised in the United States. He pled his allegiance to ISIS and then committed this horrific crime against Gay, Lesbian, etc. people out for a night of celebration. Over the few days and weeks we'll hear from politicians, people who hate Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, etc. and from just about anyone else. So, I wanted to express my views. I'm going to be 66 in August and should be one of those offended by the LGBT community just because of my age. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. I always say that there isn't anything I haven't seen, heard or done in my life. So although this is not a surprise to me something like this would happen I am sickened by it or any act where innocent lives are taken for no reason. I hear about how horribly killed and wounded they were and it brings back memories of the wounded I saw and helped at the 24th Evac. I know the look, smell, feel of death all to well. In this case we had a large group of LGBT people enjoying Latin night a the Pulse. They were someone's son, daughter, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, husband, wife and father or mother. They were there for nothing but enjoying the night dancing, drinking, and enjoying themselves. They were good people not hurting anyone. Now, there is nothing but a bloodied and destroyed night club filled with the stench of death and families coping with the news of death or injured loved ones or those still hoping that their loved one was not there at the time. I cannot comprehend just how horrific their loved ones must feel. I've already read of horrific anti-gay comments coming out. I have been blessed to have people of all races and religions cross my path and touch me in some way. I have also been honored to know and have as friends people from the LGBT community. I found them nothing less than funny, loving, caring, helpful, wonderful people. And after all, aren't we all people? Shouldn't we all be treated with the respect and dignity as everyone else regardless of who we love? So in closing I just want to say that hatred will not win, refusing to serve an LGBT member will not win, those who use religion or politics to spew hatred will not win and those who do will surely lose. In closing I want to say that you and your families are in my thoughts and prayers and that you are loved and will be missed.