SAGEVets Upstate will hold a Special Engagement virtually featuring guest speaker Eric Alva on Tuesday October 26, 6pm.

While serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Eric Alva, was the first Marine seriously injured in the Iraq war. He lost his leg from an explosive buried in the sand, and received a Purple Heart. At the same time, under the Don't Ask Don't Tell, he was unable to serve openly as a gay man. Eric spoke out against this discriminatory rule, which was repealed in 2011. He also wrote Once A Marine: Coming Out Under Fire.  In the book, he shares his stories of battles on and off the battlefields. When he came out in 2007, he noted that he had been promoted and praised for his service, all the while having to keep his sexuality a secret.

All are welcome to this special virtual engagement on Zoom.