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A pair of South Carolina marines have turned to a social media battlefield, firing off retorts to veterans vexed over their support for LGBTQ Pride.
Marine Corps veteran Ellie Rowan drew attention to the Facebook battle in a viral TikTok last week.
"If you guys want to see the biggest group of disgruntled veterans or disgruntled people in general, you need to go to the Parris Island Marine Corps page during Pride Month," said the amused TikToker in her video with 492,000 views.
Rowan referred to the Facebook page for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot of Parris Island, South Carolina. The page shared an image of a combat helmet adorned with six rainbow-colored bullets on June 1.
Together with the graphic, a caption said, "During the month of June, the Marine Corps takes #Pride in recognizing and honoring the contributions of our LGBTQ service members. We remain committed to fostering an environment free from discrimination, and defend the values of treating all equally, with dignity and respect."
That message nettled some Marine veterans, as Rowan pointed out. Their angry comments were quickly shut down by Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Yarbrough and Master Sergeant Rick Mistic.
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"My Marine Corps has gone woke. God help us," said one veteran.
Master Sergeant Mistic shot back, "If by 'woke' you mean showing appreciation to a group who has made major contributions to the U.S. Military...then yes. Have a meritorious day!"
Another comment complained, "Why is the Marine Corps singling out any particular group? While claiming all inclusiveness the Corps is choosing only some groups for identification."
CWO Yarbrough replied, "In the Marine Corps, we treat everyone equally. Field days, working parties, and weekend duties have no room for discrimination." He signed off with a row of rainbow hearts.
"This is a sad day!" exclaimed another veteran. "If I could I would return my title, U.S. Marine! What happened to united we stand, divided we fall? This political correctness will be our downfall! Whoever is behind this is a disgrace and should be court martialed!"
In response, CWO Yarbrough asked, "We should court martial people who respect the service of all our service members? The freedoms you enjoy are currently protected by those serving in the ranks, which includes LGBTQ. You are welcome for their service."
Yet another commenter said they were "not sure what Marine Corps this is," to which Master Sergeant Mistic replied, "The United States Marine Corps."
Only recently has the U.S. military promoted support for its LGBTQ service members. The 1993 "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that excluded openly gay, lesbian and bisexual people from the military was only thrown out in 2011.
In 2021, the VA announced that veterans who received less-than-honorable discharges for being LGBTQ would be made eligible for full benefits.
The image of a helmet sporting rainbow bullets was also publicized on the U.S. Marines Twitter page. The national page's post met backlash from both members of the LGBTQ community, who accused the Marine Corps of "rainbow-washing"—or symbolic allyship without tangible action—and from conservatives, who claimed the message excluded heterosexual service members.
Newsweek reached out to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot of Parris Island for comment.
About the writer
Shira Li Bartov is a Newsweek reporter based in New York. Her focus is on trending news, human interest and ... Read more