Serving In Silence

by Margarethe Cammermeyer

VIETNAM VETERAN

RECIPIENT OF THE BRONZE STAR

MOTHER OF FOUR

VA NURSE OF THE YEAR

DISCHARGED

In 1989, during a routine interview for top-secret security clearance, U.S. Army Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer revealed that she was a lesbian–and began an ordeal that, despite her distinguished twenty-six-year military career, resulted in her discharge from the U.S. Army. Her dismissal garnered intense media coverage, stirred debate all the way to the presidency, and ignited her activism that continues today. In this revealing autobiography, Cammermeyer writes of her decision to challenge the official policy on homosexuals in the military and of her victory in Federal District Court and beyond. But much more than a book about laws and politics, Serving in Silence is about coming of age, being a mother, and finding one’s center; about the daily horrors of nursing in Vietnam; about “coming out”; and about a brave soldier’s life.

THE BOOK THAT INSPIRED THE TELEVISION MOVIE, starring Glenn Close as Margarethe Cammermeyer.

This New Edition with added Epilogue includes events from 1994 to the present in 2016, including the life-changing results of ending Don't Ask, Don't Tell and legalized marriage for same-sex couples.

Throughout Col. Cammermeyer’s life, her achievements included completion of a BS in Nursing from the University of Maryland and a M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Washington, which honored her with the 2015 “Distinguished Alumni Veterans Award.” Col. Cammermeyer has received many other awards including, among others, The 2016 “Leonard Matlovich Award” from the American Veterans for Equal Rights; induction into the Washington State Nurses Hall of Fame in 2014; The “Legacy Award” from the Point Foundation in 2010; the “Women Who Dared” Award from the National Council of Jewish Women in In 1999; and the “Soldier of Freedom Award” from the Human Rights Campaign in 1993.

Though Dr. Cammermeyer’s twenty-six year career as an Army nurse was interrupted by her discharge, she continued to care for veterans at a VA hospital until her retirement. She lives on Whidbey Island, WA with her spouse Diane Divelbess and continues to speak out on civil rights issues.

 

 

Genres: Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Biography, LGBT, Memoir, Lesbian, Politics

344 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1994

Reviews

[Kate Charlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enthralling book about the highest ranking officer ever to be discharged from the US Military for admitting that she was gay. Serving in Silence is more than just a novel about Cammermeyer's time in the military, it is a fascinating documentary of her life's experiences; from growing up as a small child in wartime Norway where her mother hid guns in her baby carriage to help the Norwegian resistance fight the Nazi's, to her time serving as a young nurse in the Vietnam War. The book explores her realisation about her sexuality and meeting her soul mate, which many people, both gay and straight can relate to and culminates in her fight against the military after being honourably discharged for being gay. Serving in Silence is a fascinating read about an amazing woman and is highly recommeded.

[Tabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1992, Margarethe Cammermeyer was discharged from the Army on the basis of her sexual orientation, a question asked during a security clearance upgrade interview. More than just her publicized court case and the following movie of the same title, Serving in Silence is an intimate look at the life of a female soldier in Vietnam, and the personal struggles there and as she climbed the ranks in the Army. She also shares her experiences with coming out as a lesbian later in life, both privately in a stoic Norwegian family, and also in the spotlight as she fought for equality on the national stage.

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing life story

I love the personal tone of the book. I felt like we were having a conversation. She is a remarkable person who has had an extraordinary life but remains humble and dedicated to service. It's definitely worth reading to understand so much about American history over the last 50-plus years, and Colonel Cammermeyer's personal journey.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

utrolig interresant og spennende!

[Kathleen Hagen]

Serving in Silence, by Margarethe Cammermeyer, narrated by Barbara Caruso, produced by Recorded Books, downloaded from audible.com.

Margarethe, (known as Gretta) tells the story of her life, coming to the U.S. with her parents from Norway, and joining the army while fairly young. She was an army nurse who loved the army, followed all orders, felt the army cared enough to do its best for the people who served. She went far in the army, rose to a top position as Colonel, and was heading toward a position as senior nurse for the entire country. But her life had been mostly devoid of romance. She had an unhappy marriage, although it produced four sons whom she loved very much. Then, she became aware that she was attracted to women. She began her first relationship with a woman, which was wonderful. She thought that her life couldn’t get any better. But, when she applied for the promotion, she had to go through a security clearance. During the interview for that clearance, she admitted that she was a lesbian. Her life forever changed. Ultimately, the army took away her rank and discharged her, despite her over twenty years of spotless service to her country. We hear about her personal pain in fighting the army, which she had always loved, and of learning that the army didn’t have her best interests at heart and didn’t reward performance if the performer was gay. This book ended in 1994 when she had just won her district court decision. I will now look to see how it turned out after that. I actually heard her speak soon after the book was published in 1994. She was a woman who served with distinction and was treated very unfairly.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I missed the chance to hear Grethe Cammermeyer speak at a fundraiser for the Lesbian Archives in Seattle, so I thought I would read the book instead. I expected the book to be entirely about her attempt at overturning the military's homophobic policy or refusing to let gays and lesbians serve, but it was actually a complete biography, starting with her childhood during WWII. Her realization that she was gay, and her attempts to keep her military career all happened in the last few chapters of the book. Because of this, or perhaps because the book was published over ten years ago, I was left wanting more. I really wish I had gotten to hear her speak.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the book was very well written, and while emotions showed, it was not an overly emotional book. It was factual and told of Cammermeyer's devotion to her field of study, the United States military, and to her family. Discrimination does not help any one of us, and yet it still exists. Prejudicial remarks are cutting and hateful. Unfortunately, the people who really need to read this book most likely never will because they are already certain they are correct and that gays and lesbians should not serve in the military. Imagine their surprise if they knew how many already do serve, and serve with honor and dignity.

[Stasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am impressed with Cammermeyer's honesty as she chronicles her own journey from someone who thought like the majority of Americans in her age cohort when it came to homosexuality, to someone who's an out and proud lesbian. The thread of her integrity runs through the entire book.

I find the way in which she has chosen to tell her story very valuable; her story is accessible to folks from many backgrounds and ways of thinking. She's definitely not just "preaching to the choir."

I am reminded of the work of Bonnie Tinker of Love Makes a Family: changing hearts and minds.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

After seeing the movie starring Glenn Close, I wanted to read this book to fill in the details of the life of this brave woman. There was a lot more detail on her time in Vietnam and her work with her husband on building up their land and house. The standards and morals of Grethe Cammermeyer are inspirational. Her first-person telling of her story comes across with humility and truth.

The book is not polished in its writing style, but is organized for easy reading and gives an inside view of those who have served in silence and one whose honor would not let her back down.

[Breeze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grethe Cammermeyer was a colleague and mentor to me. I knew she was going through hard times but I never knew the details; I am glad she has found her way to personal happiness. She is one tough cookie and she is totally forthright and honest with no holds barred on describing her search for self.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when an author can help me understand what it's like to be them. I love it even more when what I thought I knew is changed. This is a good book. Sad to see such injustice but happy for her victories.

[Lillian]

I read about 20% of this book before I had to return it (interlibrary loan). I realized it was going to be a rather slow read anyway. Even though I was not able to make it through the autobiography, I think Cammermeyer's story is compelling and very important.

[Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A discount rack book that I picked up and really enjoyed. It tells the story of a woman serving in the Army who comes to terms with her homosexuality.

[Weavre]

OST NONFIC 305.48 CAM

[Trina Carlstrom · Rating 1 out of 5]

In person, Grethe Cammermeyer is an amazing person. However, this book is very poorly written.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read and great chance to learn

[Kennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My copy has minimal highlighting on a few pages.