Recently, an event I was scheduled to speak at was canceled. The nearby military base, which participates each year in the festivities of the annual fundraiser that focuses on recognizing the sacrifices and hard work of women in the military, and wives of active duty spouses, withdrew their color guard, and the high-ranking officer that provides a few words and attends each year was told if he attended he must not wear his uniform, nor verbalize that he was active duty in the military, nor could he indicate his rank. Ticket sales plummeted, as well, as ticket holders from the base decided to cancel their orders. The reason? Because I was supposed to be the speaker.