Jim
Fausone
Veterans
Disability Lawyer
One
of America’s unique features for the last 238 years is the diversity of the
population. Over time the diversity has been broadened from British,
French, German, Polish, and Irish to include people from every continent.
Sometimes they came for the opportunity and sometimes they were forced to come
to the country. Each wave of immigrants brought different religions and
customs. The country’s ultimate acceptance of that diversity, which has
not always been readily provided, has strengthened the country. The military has been forced to accept
diversity from Native Americans, African Americans, Japanese Americans, Mexican
Americans, Indian Americans, etc. The military has been a social
experiment as well as a melting pot. In every instance, the military is a
better organization for it.
With this in mind, I want to
echo the need for more Indian Americans and in particular Sikhs in the service
of the country. Indian Americans
comprise about 3.18 million people, or about 1.0% of the U.S. population.
In 2007, there were estimated to be approximately 250,000 Sikhs living in the
United States, with largest populations living on the East and West Coasts with additional populations in Detroit, Chicago, and Austin.
In the Detroit area, I have friends and business associates who
are of Indian heritage that are of the Sikh and Muslim faiths. I know
they enrich the community in which they live and are grateful to be
Americans.
It is reported that “The United States should change its policy to allow more
Indian Americans to join the military without compromising on their religious
beliefs and practices, the only three Sikh soldiers in the U.S. Army
say.” This would allow Sikhs and their offspring to more readily serve
the country in the military. The wearing of a turban by a male is a tenant of
the religion. This article in the India West profiles the accomplishments
of the three Sikhs currently serving. It also makes the point that Sikhs
serve in other militaries around the world with slight adjustments to the dress
code. Let us continue on the path of being a tolerant country and
military.
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