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Dillingham III and Bridget Wilson LGBT Veteran Wall of Honor was established in his name shortly after the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy became effective in September 2011, ending the ban on gays and lesbians from serving in the military. Among his many community awards, he was named LGBT Veteran of the Year in 2007.
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He also served as a member of the Marine Corps Association, the United States Armor Association and the Navy League. Ben served with distinction on many charitable boards over the years, including the San Diego AIDS Project, AIDS Foundation San Diego, San Diego Human Dignity Foundation and Episcopal Community Services. In 1986, Ben became chief of staff to San Diego Mayor Maureen O’Connor and after she left office, he continued to manage her affairs. Under his stewardship, the first light-rail transit system was established in San Diego. He spent several years at General Dynamics, and then became the chief financial officer for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit development board. After 8 years of service and having attained the rank of Captain, Ben returned to civilian life in San Diego. He was also awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his work on the XM-1 Abrams Main Battle Tank prototype. With his MBA in hand, Ben entered the US Marine Corps as a commissioned officer, receiving a Bronze Star Medal with a Combat “V” for his service in Vietnam.
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He then pursued an MBA from Harvard Business School. He then attended Harvard College, where he majored in economics and managed teams in football, hockey and lacrosse, and graduated cum laude in 1967. Mark’s School in Southborough, Massachusetts. He attended Punahou School in Honolulu and later St. For many years, Al authored a legal advice column entitled “The Philly Lawyer” and wrote and presented the Public Broadcasting program “Gay People and the Law.”īorn Benjamin Franklin Dillingham III in Honolulu, Hawaii, on May 23, 1945, Ben was a fifth-generation descendent of New England missionaries to the Hawaiian Islands. He aided most in obtaining their 501(c)(3) status. Al has also donated legal services over the years to MCC, The Center, Dignity of San Diego, SAGE, and San Diego Physicians for Human Rights, among others. He was also the first openly gay delegate from San Diego to the California Democratic Central Committee. Founding board member and member emeritus of the Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA), now the San Diego Equality Business Association.And charter member and former vice president of the San Diego Democratic Club, now the San Diego Democrats for Equality. Founding member and former chairperson of the board of the San Diego LGBT Community Center. A San Diego LGBT community pioneer, some of Al’s accomplishments are as follows: Founding member of the Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego in 1970 serving as board member and vice moderator ever since. District Court in San Diego, he entered private practice as an attorney for the next 42 years. Al recognized that as a gay man in the 1960s with a passion for community activism, he could not pursue that goal and remain in the Navy thus, he resigned his commission in 1967. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He attended the Naval Justice School in 19 and thereafter served as a legal officer in multiple assignments and deployments.
NAVY GAY BAR SAN DIEGO FULL
Katie's expert tip: The hip JRDN patio is right next to the Pacific Beach boardwalk providing amazing sunsets, craft cocktails and a full menu.Al Smithson served as an officer in the US Navy from 1960 to 1967. Recommended for Pacific Beach's Best Bars because: It's much more upscale than the rest of the college student-oriented bars in the area.
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It's probably the hippest place in Pacific Beach to have a drink and you can even bring your laptop because there's WiFi. The clean, simple but modern decor includes color-changing lights and a giant water wall. JRDN has indoor/outdoor seating right on the Pacific Beach boardwalk which makes for excellent views and people watching. Lounge with your companions, listen to live music and enjoy a specialty cocktail along with ocean breezes. If you need a hip and trendy place that's less hectic than Gaslamp options, here's your place. JRDN is beachfront Tower 23 Hotel's 10,000-square-foot contemporary oceanfront steak and seafood restaurant that features casually-sophisticated cuisine.