By Harley Long Posted October 12, 2011
According to a recent press release from The White House, the discriminatory law known as ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ was finally and formally repealed on September 20, 2011. Patriotic Americans in uniform will no longer have to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love.
Our armed forces will no longer lose the extraordinary skills and combat experience of so many gay and lesbian service members. Those who were discharged under this law should know that their country deeply values your service.”
President Obama said, “This achievement is a tribute to all the patriots who fought and marched for change; to Members of Congress, from both parties, who voted for repeal; to our civilian and military leaders who ensured a smooth transition; and to the professionalism of our men and women in uniform who showed that they were ready to move forward together, as one team, to meet the missions we ask of them.”
Obama continued, “For more than two centuries, we have worked to extend America’s promise to all our citizens. Our armed forces have been both a mirror and a catalyst of that progress, and our troops, including gays and lesbians, have given their lives to defend the freedoms and liberties that we cherish as Americans. Every American can be proud that we have taken another great step toward keeping our military the finest in the world and toward fulfilling our nation’s founding ideals.”
