Exhibit 1-2

in Support of 

General Saltzman’s Motion to Dismiss

Case 4:23-cv-00876-ALM Document 28-3 Filed 02/12/24 Page 1 of 3 PageID #: 564
Response to Questions from Maj Law

1

• What language did you use regarding the recent DoD extremism training? 

Please see my attached remarks. I gave these remarks almost verbatim when I was invited to speak 

at SMSgt Fish’s retirement ceremony.

o Why did you feel this to be appropriate for SMSgt Fish’s retirement ceremony?

My goal in delivering my remarks was to honor SMSgt Fish, his service, and his family. I sought, 

through my words, to inspire and encourage him and those in the audience to continue their 

faithful and honorable service.

• Did you use language to express frustration with the current DoD civilian and 

military leadership?

Please see my attached remarks. I gave these remarks almost verbatim when I was invited to speak 

at SMSgt Fish’s retirement ceremony.

o Why did you feel this to be appropriate for SMSgt Fish’s retirement ceremony?

My goal in delivering my remarks was to honor SMSgt Fish, his service, and his family. I sought, 

through my words, to inspire and encourage him and those in the audience to continue their 

faithful and honorable service.

• What language did you use regarding the civil rights of transsexuals and the rights 

of transsexuals to serve in the US military?

Please see my attached remarks. I gave these remarks almost verbatim when I was invited to speak 

at SMSgt Fish’s retirement ceremony.

o Why did you feel this to be appropriate for SMSgt Fish’s retirement ceremony?

My goal in delivering my remarks was to honor SMSgt Fish, his service, and his family. I sought, 

through my words, to inspire and encourage him and those in the audience to continue their 

faithful and honorable service.

• Did you encourage other military members to exercise unrestricted free speech 

despite repercussions?

No. I did not encourage other military members to exercise unrestricted free speech despite 

repercussions. I did encourage other military members to refrain from participating in speech and 

action they knew to be false and untrue. Please see my attached remarks, which I gave almost 

verbatim when I was invited to speak at SMSgt Fish’s retirement ceremony.

Case 4:23-cv-00876-ALM Document 28-3 Filed 02/12/24 Page 2 of 3 PageID #: 565
Response to Questions from Maj Law

2

• Did you think your views could be interpreted as an endorsement by the DoD 

considering your appearance in a uniformed ceremonial position at a public 

setting?

No. I do not think any person could reasonably interpret my remarks in that way. I traveled from 

my home in Dallas, Texas, to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, at my own expense. I 

personally paid for all costs including airfare, lodging, rental car, and food. I was not on orders or 

in any kind of official status. I received no compensation or public remuneration of any kind. I 

came on my own time at the request of friend, with whom I served on active duty, who asked if I 

would speak at his retirement ceremony. SMSgt Fish and I served together at a pivot time in his 

life. We have remained close since that service together. My goal in delivering my remarks, was to 

honor him and inspire those in attendance to follow in his footsteps of honorable and faithful 

service.

• Do you have access to, or currently have, any copies of a video recording of your 

retirement speech?

I am not aware of any recordings, video or otherwise, of my remarks. The written speech I have 

attached is an exact copy of the remarks I read from that day. If there are any differences between 

the written copy I have attached and the words I spoke, those differences are slight, immaterial, 

and few in number. I read from the written speech I have attached almost verbatim when I was 

invited to speak at SMSgt Fish’s retirement ceremony.

• Would you be willing to provide a copy of your draft retirement speech used to 

honor SMSgt Fish?

Absolutely. Please see my attached remarks. I gave these remarks almost verbatim when I was 

invited to speak at SMSgt Fish’s retirement ceremony.

• How do you think your message was received and how will this experience shape 

future DoD related speaking engagements?

Based on the feedback I have been given, I can say with certainty that my remarks were very well 

received by most of the small party present at SMSgt Fish’s retirement ceremony. Immediately 

after the ceremony and at subsequent events that day, I received warm, sincere gratitude from the 

retiree, his immediate family, members of his extended family, members of his unit, another

SMSgt with whom SMSgt Fish and I had served, and others in attendance. In fact, the spouse of 

one military member present was so appreciative of my remarks that she asked, only half in jest, 

if I would speak at her husband’s retirement ceremony. These individuals thanked me eagerly and 

specifically for the words I offered.

In addition to this overwhelmingly positive feedback, I received no negative feedback regarding 

my remarks from anyone at the ceremony. I later learned that my remarks were, of course, not 

appreciated by the person(s) who complained about them.

I do not know how this will shape future DOD-related speaking engagements. I understood the 

reason for my presence was to honor SMSgt Fish and his service. I tried to do that through my 

remarks.

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