August 18, 1990

Honorable Joel Hefley
Colorado Springs, Co.

Dear Sir:

This is a request to clear my husband's Dishonorable Discharge from the U.S. Army in 1949 from all records. It is my understanding that this is unusual since I am the widow of Thomas J. Wingate who died in New Jersey 15 years ago. 

There are two reasons that I ask for this:

My stepson Michael A. Wingate, who is much like his father, was in the Navy for a short period of time in 1978 I believe. He, as his father, should never had been in service because of his temperament. Michael was discharged and went on with his life - his father went to prison, was paroled, got into further trouble and spent quite a number of years in prison. It is my feeling that if he were not court-martialed and sent to prison, perhaps he would not have considered himself a "Born Loser." 

Recently, I was told that a friend's son who had emotional problems before entering service, is being asked to leave the service and is being given a medical discharge. 

My second reason is that our youngest son has put himself through college with loans and work. I will not be able to help him because I getting my own degree at UCCS graduating in 1982, substituting for three years and finally obtaining a position in 1985 at the age of fifty six. I have just paid off my school loans but Steven is looking at over $15,000.00

My thoughts are that perhaps if my husband's records were different, Steven somehow or other could benefit financially. Although his father was in service for that short period of time, the experience ended with the negative results mentioned above. Perhaps if T.J. Wingate was given something other than the dishonorable discharge, his life from the age of nineteen through twenty four would have been different. 

Thank you for your time and consideration. 

Sincerely,

Mary Ann Wingate