As we celebrate Veteran’s Day this weekend, let us never forget those serving overseas, especially those serving in silence and those who have died defending our country.

The 20th anniversary event of the LAMBDA Archives of San Diego is coming up on Saturday, Dec. 8. Its anniversary event theme is titled 20 Years-20 Heroes. Now our community’s GLBT historical society has officially announced its 20 heroes who will be honored. They are: Ben Cartwright, police officer John Graham, Aaron Borovoy, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, Chris Shaw, Albert Cortez, Dr. Bonnie Zimmerman, Tracie O’Brien, Bob Lehman, Carolina Ramos, Bob Nelson, Jim Ziegler, attorney Todd Stevens, Julia Legaspi, Rev. Tony Freeman, Joyce Marieb, Robert Gleason, Vertez Burks, Carla Coshow, and Fire Chief Tracy Jarman. Wow, what a diverse list of true community heroes! The Dec. 8 event will be held at The San Diego LGBT Community Center (7 p.m. sharp) and will include outstanding entertainment and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $50 for general admission and $80 for VIP admission. Tables for 10 can also be purchased, with all the proceeds to benefit LAMBDA Archives of San Diego to help preserve our local GLBT history. I urge you all to get your tickets and tables early, as this will be a well-attended event and official sponsorships are being sought. City Councilmember Toni Atkins and I are proud to be co-chairs of this event. More information will be coming. For further ticket information, phone 619-692-1967 or 619-298-1115.

Let’s all show our pride in our GLBT veterans and active military by attending and supporting this coming weekend’s numerous events honoring our GLBT veterans. There is something for everyone, especially Saturday night’s proud and fun Military Ball Cocktail Reception at The Center (6 p.m.). You’re all invited, and there will be a lot of men and women in uniforms. For further information on all these events starting Friday, call 619-850-8698.

Let’s all show up and support these outstanding Americans. By the way, former marine captain and member of the San Diego County Veterans Council, Ben F. Dillingham will be honored with our local chapter of the American Veterans for Equal Rights (A.V.E.R.) highest award. Well deserved.

Colorado Springs is home to the ultra right-wing Focus on the Family. It has about a five-story headquarters and the city is a hot bed of radical conservatives with a church on almost every block. Yet thriving proudly is a viable GLBT community with about a dozen organizations and about three gay bars. These GLBT sisters and brothers of ours are true heroes, as they live in the front trenches. At times the bars and GLBT events have been picketed weekly. Yes, this is the city where the president of the Evangelical Association of America was outed for dating a callboy and doing drugs. Of course he now says he is cured … hmm. I had the honor to speak at a GLBT event in this city, and, let me tell you, these GLBT men and women are proud, brave and true patriotic Americans.

You are all invited to the beautiful home of Bob Nelson and Murray Olson for a gala GLBT fund-raiser to re-elect Mayor Jerry Sanders on Sunday, Nov. 18 from 3 to 5 p.m. The contribution is $150 and $320, and more than 100 GLBT leaders and business people have already signed on to contribute $320! Let’s show Mayor Sanders our appreciation and support for his strong leadership during our recent fire crisis. For more info: 858-539-7610 or 619-692-1967.

San Diego Catholic Bishop Brom has come under heavy criticism from the federal courts, The San Diego Union-Tribune and thousands of Catholics for his handling of the Church’s abuse victim cases and, most disgusting, his attempt to hide the church’s assets so these victims would not get the financial assistance they deserve.

Now Bishop Brom has called for his priests to give up a month salary and for all Catholics in every church in San Diego to give him money to pay this huge legal settlement. Well, as a lifelong Catholic and former altar boy, I call upon Bishop Brom to personally sell all his personal jewelry including his bejeweled chalice, his fancy car and the Bishop’s mansion and all its contents. This would be a good humble start on his part that is long overdue.

Sometimes the stupidity and ignorance of some of the people who write letters to the editor never ceases to amaze me. I wrote a column covering a debate I attended for the District 3 City Council seat, and during this entire debate homophobic leader and council candidate James Hartline did not say even one anti-gay statement. (Ask the more than 200 people in attendance at this Hillcrest town council event.) So I report what James Hartline and all the other candidates say, and then some nuts write letters saying such things as I’m supporting and voting for Hartline and find his candidacy “acceptable.” Are you people nuts or on drugs? No GLBT San Diegan in his or her right mind would support or vote for the “Jerry Falwell of San Diego.” So grow up and come up with a better set of lies to attack me for, you idiots!

Marci Bair, of Bair Financial Group, has started a professional networking group in South County, called the “South Bay Alliance.” The next happy hour/mixer will be on Nov. 12 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at South Bay Fish and Grill. There will be happy-hour drinks specials and a suggested donation of $5 per person. This is a great way to network yourself or your organization. For more information, please contact Marci at 619-851-3468. Opportunities are still available to sponsor this event!

One of our favorite restaurants, Med Grill, is under new ownership! It features Mediterranean fusion cuisine, with an Italian, French, Greek, Spanish, Lebansese flare. It also has an extensive international wine list. It offers vegetarian dishes, take out, off-site catering and it has an outdoor/patio dining area. Say “hello” to “Seto” and his team, welcoming them to the neighborhood. MedGrill is located at 1263 University Avenue. 619-683-2233, www.medgrillsandiego.com.