Friday, February 15, 2013

Lesbian Mil. Spouse Buried in National Cemetery; Is 1st Same-Sex Spouse Buried In Natl. Cemetery

Retired Lt. Col. Linda Campbell was happy to find out that the Department of Veterans Affairs had approved her request to have her partner, Nancy Lynchild -- who died in December -- buried in Willamette National Cemetery, southeast of Portland, Oregon, the Daily Beast website reports today (February 15, 2013).

Unlike Campbell, Lynchild herself was not a veteran, and she is believed to be the first same-sex spouse of a military member buried in a national cemetery.

Although the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy has been abolished, same-sex marriage is still not formally recognized by the military.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs said it was actually the first time he had been asked to consider such a case, and emphasized that his decision applies solely to Campbell and Lynchild, and should not be viewed as establishing a new policy.

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