Title
To Honor, Recognize and Celebrate the Life of Donald Hallman and to Extend our Sincerest Condolences to his Family and Friends.
Body
WHEREAS, Donald Hallman was a successful businessman, a US Army veteran, a civic leader in his Merion Village community, a member of the Athletic Club of Columbus, and a prior board member of New Life Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, in 1955 Donald Hallman was dishonorably discharged by the US Army for being, what was then called, a “Class II homosexual;” and
WHEREAS, while running his own business, being a happy father and husband, Donald Hallman said that he felt he had to hide his sexual orientation, “because it would have ruined his life;” and
WHEREAS, estimates say as many as 100,000 service members were discharged for their sexual orientation between World War II and the 2011 repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy; and
WHEREAS, with the help of Stonewall Columbus and Senator Sherrod Brown, Donald Hallman was able to change his status from dishonorable discharge to an honorable discharge; and
WHEREAS, Donald Hallman overcame the historical obstacles that burden so many queer veterans and will ultimately be remembered as an honorable husband, father, veteran, and Columbus resident; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby honor, recognize and celebrate the life of Donald Hallman and extends our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.