Remembering Phil Adams

SLDN learned that long-time supporter, Philip Adams, passed away recently. SLDN Board member, Tom Carpenter, shares his thoughts on Adams.

Semper Fi, Phil

After struggling for several years with chronic and debilitating depression, on June 28,2006, Philip Adams died at home in West Hollywood, California. He was 46.

Phil was onboard with SLDN since its formation in 1993. He was not only a generous contributor, but at every opportunity, spoke out against the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. As a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former Marine infantry officer, he was able to demonstrate, from his experience while on active duty, that this law is not necessary and is actually counterproductive to unit cohesion.

Captain Adams had a distinguished military and civilian career. He left countless good friends, including the famous author Patricia Nell Warren who tells a story of Phil’s unselfishness and dedication to those who where less fortunate. Here's an excerpt of her story:

One of the memories of him that I most cherish was something he did while he and the Los Angeles Frontrunners were involved with EAGLES Center in Los Angeles. This was the GLBT drop-out program for at-risk high-school dropouts in Los Angeles Unified School District. The Frontrunners had offered to support the program's need for the some of the students to complete phys-ed credits in order to graduate. I was doing volunteer teaching there at the time, and serving on the program's board.

When you say "at risk," you're talking about some really daunting sets of circumstances -- kids who had been abused by their families and/or their former schools, and were totally turned off by the idea of education in a mainstream school. At graduation in the spring of 1994, six students of the 42 had completed the credits they needed, and were about to get that crucial piece of paper that would grant them entry to college or the job market. Six caps and gowns were ordered, and the ceremony was planned for Plummers Park in West Hollywood, with parents and school district officials attending.

Phil had paid close attention to the kids' stories, and their need for positive gestures. So he planned his own addition to the graduation ceremony. Imagine the astonishment of the kids when they were approached, on the stage, by a Marine Corps officer in full dress, sword included. Around their necks Phil placed medals that he had designed and ordered up. He told each of those six kids that he or she was a hero.

I am still in touch with most of those young people, and they tell me that they have never forgotten that moment, and Phil's gesture. One Mexican-American 17-year-old girl, who today has just gotten her MA in education and is now a powerful teacher, doing her own work with young people, said to me, "Nobody had ever told me that I could be a hero. It was something that really helped me turn my life around."

Phil was the epitome of the saying “Once a Marine, always a Marine.” Even after leaving active duty, he wore his hair “high and tight” and could be seen doing his daily PT, jogging down Santa Monica Boulevard. He kept his military bearing, which made him a natural to organize the security for many of the SLDN’s Los Angeles events.

Captain Adams loved his country, Corps, friends and family. He will be sorely missed by those who loved him. Semper Fideles.

- Tom Carpenter