1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep disappointment and outrage over the decision by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to remove the name of Harvey Milk from a U.S. Navy ship. This action is a shameful erasure of a man who not only served his country but also fought for equality and justice. Harvey Milk was a Navy veteran who served during the Korean War before being forced out due to his sexual orientation. He later became one of the first openly gay elected officials in U.S. history, advocating for civil rights until his tragic assassination in 1978. His legacy represents the very values of courage, service, and integrity that our military should uphold. Stripping his name from a Navy vessel under the guise of "reestablishing the warrior culture" is nothing more than a politically motivated attack on inclusivity. It does not strengthen our national security—it weakens the moral fabric of our armed forces. I urge you to take a stand against this decision. Please demand transparency from the Department of Defense and push for the reinstatement of Harvey Milk’s name on the ship. Call out this overt bigotry. Americans don’t want this. Our military should honor those who have fought for a better America, not erase them.