San Diego LGBT Community Center announces 2023 Veterans Wall of Honor inductees
Inductees who served under anti-LGBTQ policies like Don’t Ask Don’t Tell will be among those honored
The San Diego LGBT Community Center (The Center) announces the 2023 inductees into the Benjamin F. Dillingham, III & Bridget Wilson LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor. The LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor Induction Ceremony will take place the Thursday before Veterans Day on Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 6 to 8 p.m., at The Center.
The public is invited to join the community in honoring the inductees at the ceremony on November 9, 2022, from 6-8 p.m. at The San Diego LGBT Community Center, 3909 Centre Street, San Diego. The evening will include a brief program with a celebration of military colors, the National Anthem, recognition of inductees, and special remarks.
Since 2011, The LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor has recognized LGBTQ veterans with ties to San Diego. Many of those recognized served under anti-LGBTQ policies that prevented their ability to serve safely and openly. Other veterans who served after the ending of those policies are recognized for the systematic discrimination they faced.
2023 San Diego LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor inductees are:
Daniel Kenneth Baggett, USN (he/him)
Moses G. Beeman II, USMC (he/him)
Roger C. Cornell, MD, USAF (he/him)
Jimm Crouch, USN (he/him)
Michael A. Dwyer, USA (he/him)
Melissa Johnson, USAF (she/her)
Carl Francis Moccafiche, USA (he/him)
Turquoise Teagle, USN (they/them)
Romie Lee Wilford, USN (he/they)
By serving our country honorably and with distinction, each veteran honored as part of this LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor has served as a role model for advancing equality for all. The LGBT Veterans Wall commemorates these veterans’ lives in hopes that their courage, bravery, and sacrifices will continue to inspire future generations.
The November ceremony comes on the heels of the Pentagon’s announcement on September 20, 2023, the 12th anniversary of the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, that it would step up efforts to help streamline the process of removing dishonorable discharges for LGBTQ+ veterans who were previously targeted under this policy due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
“Prior to this announcement, veterans had to individually submit an application and documents relevant to their services in order to remove a dishonorable discharge due to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” said Veronica Zerrer, LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor Advisory Council Co-Chair and an inductee in 2016. “We can’t wait for our Veterans Wall of Honor ceremony to celebrate this announcement!”
Military News | Navy News | SD LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor