Members of the Chicago Chapter of the American Veterans for Equal Rights gathered Sunday, May 24 in Steger, Illinois to remember Seaman Allen Schindler, a gay sailor who was killed in 1992 at the age of 22 by two shipmates. Dorothy Clausen ( mother of Allen ) and her husband Spencer Clausen attended.
"We first came to here in 1993, a year after Allen passed," said Darby. "The world has changed since then. Don't Ask, Don't Tell was instituted a year after Allan passed. And three years ago our president (Obama) ended the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. So today gay people can serve openly."
Mrs. Clausen thanked the group for coming out and remembering her son. "It really means a lot to me that you care about Allen even though you didn't know him," she said.
On July 1, convicted killer Terry M. Helvey will again be considered for parole. Mrs. Clausen continues her campaign to insure that he serves the full life sentence he was given.