Navy veteran, civil rights campaigner should be honored by ship naming, campaigners lobby
Congressman Bob Filner (D-California) has joined with several prominent LGBT civil rights leaders from San Diego and across the country, calling on the US Navy to name " … the next appropriate ship after Harvey Milk."
The late civil rights icon, Harvey Milk was a Navy veteran who began his service during the Korean War. In Korea, he served aboard the submarine rescue ship USS Kittiwake as a diving officer. Milk was also stationed at Naval Station, San Diego where he was a diving instructor. Milk, whose parents, both also served in the US Navy was honorably discharged at the rank of Lieutenant, junior grade.
The GLBT Historic Task Force (the Task Force) of San Diego County sent an official letter to Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, last week, requesting that Harvey Milk be considered as the namesake of a naval submarine, carrier or other vessel named "in his honor and memory."
San Diego City Commissioner, chair of the Task Force, announced the launch of a national campaign in partnership with the Harvey Milk Foundation and the International Court System (a charitable services membership organization with chapters in 68 cities.)
The GLBT Historic Task Force is also leading a movement to make San Diego the first city in the US to name a street in honor of Milk. "We in San Diego are very proud that Harvey Milk was stationed in our city and fell in love with California here," said Murray Ramirez, who has served the last five mayors of San Diego. Murray Ramirez was a friend of Harvey Milk in the 1970s and is co-chair of the Harvey Milk Foundation's International Advisory Council.