June 13 (UPI) --After living a life of secrecy, a decorated Vietnam veteran came out as gay in his obituary. Army Col. Edward Thomas ... but he wasn't one that would come right out and say anything ...

"I was gay all my life," said the message he wrote for his obituary. "Now that my secret is known, I'll forever rest in peace ...

Retired from a career in service — as a U.S. Army colonel ... lines of his obituary written in his own words, Ryan says, "I'm sorry for not having the courage to come out as Gay.

RENSSELAER, N.Y. (WTEN) — U.S. Army veteran Edward Thomas Ryan died at the age of 85 on June 1 in Albany, New York. In his obituary ... the courage to come out as Gay. I was afraid of being ...

As It Happens5:46Retired New York firefighter comes out in his obituary ... including the military." Ryan was a colonel in the New York Guard, a volunteer state defence force.