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| Maj. Alan Rogers worked for the D.C. chapter of the American Veterans for Equal Rights, a group that seeks to change military policy toward gays. He died in Iraq on Jan. 27. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army) |
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HOME > NEWS > NATIONAL NEWS
By: CHRIS JOHNSON COMMENTS
 
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of Veterans Affairs clinic in South Carolina, said that although the military “is proud to flaunt [Rogers] as one of the soldiers, they want it kept secret that he was gay.”
Rogers intended to stay in the Army until he retired, Grant said.
Rogers’ friends say that he was devoted both to his duties as a soldier and efforts to change military policy. For a time starting in October 2004, Rogers served as treasurer of the D.C. chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights.
Smith said Rogers was “very active in the group” and involved in social events and community outreach projects.
“Whenever he came into a room, his presence … immediately lifted the environment and the spirits of everyone,” Smith said.
Smith said Rogers was “someone who loved being in the Army.”
“He was a soldier before anything else,” he said. “He loved serving his country.”
Smith said he received an e-mail from Rogers Jan. 26 — the day before he died.
Rogers recalled some good times he had with D.C. friends and asked about other friends who were serving overseas, Smith said.
More than 100 mourners attended Rogers’ funeral and were a “mix of people from all over the world,” Smith said.
Patrick High, another Rogers friend and a gay former Army medical service officer, said Rogers was a “caring soul” and “selfless in everything that he did.”
Alan Rogers (left) with his friend trong>Patrick High who called Rogers a ‘caring soul’ and ‘selfless in everything he did.’ (Photo courtesy of Patrick High) |
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High said he and Rogers communicated while Rogers was in Iraq. Rogers was more interested in learning about High’s work instead of talking about his own duties.
“He was just asking me more about my research and my getting a job … as opposed to anything that he was doing in Iraq,” High said.
Rogers and High would often go to Nation, a gay club in D.C., when it was still around, High said.
The recently deceased officer was out to some troops who served alongside him, High said.
In 2005, Rogers earned his master’s degree in policy management at Georgetown University. The Army officer also earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from University of Florida.
Mark Nadel, a visiting George-town professor who was Rogers’ thesis adviser, said Rogers was an e
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