Rest in Peace, Leonard... And, Thanks to ALL Who Served.

[JackTwist]

http://filefap.com/files/1122395_6qib6/5275240964_0f23a6a3a7_z.jpg

 

Today, December 22, 2010, A measure of dignity was restored to thousands of U.S. service members on active duty, and to over a million gay veterans who served in silence for 234 years.

 

I just wanted to take a moment to celebrate this huge milestone in our nation's history and say "Thanks" today to all of our gay military men on this Board who served our country valiantly.

[leigh.bess.toad]

A beautiful tribute Jack. Well done and thank you.

 

And may I add my thanks to all of the former and current military members on this board. I appreciate your sacrifice.

[+ glutes]

Very well done Jack.

I am sure this will make the Merlins and the Moosies... twist.

[OneFinger]

This was a very proud day for me and I'm glad that DADT is hopefully gone for ever. While I neither hid or advertised my sexual preference while I was on active duty, it would have been so great to be able to serve openly.

 

I heard President Obama's news conference after the signing. I was really moved by this statement:

As one special operations warfighter said during the Pentagon’s review -- this was one of my favorites -- it echoes the experience of Lloyd Corwin decades earlier: “We have a gay guy in the unit. He’s big, he’s mean, he kills lots of bad guys.” (Laughter.) “No one cared that he was gay.” (Laughter.) And I think that sums up perfectly the situation. (Applause.)

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/22/remarks-president-and-vice-president-signing-dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal-a

 

Thanks so much for posting this moving thread and picture.

 

 

 

[JT Brooklyn]

Very Happy to see this come about for those in the future .....as a NAVY guy who had his share of "Down Low" Gay Fun while serving his Country.

[Rick Munroe]

I'm glad that DADT is hopefully gone for ever.

 

It's not actually gone yet. It's still fully in place (gay soldiers can still be discharged). All this bill does is give President Obama, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and the Secretary of Defense permission to repeal DADT if they so choose in the future after a certification and review process, for which there is no timeline.

[justaguy]

Great thought, Jack, but Rick is right. The last I heard it will be several months to maybe over a year before DADT is officially gone.

[Guy Fawkes]

Of course, and it'll be years before it's accepted as normal. But we're at the start of the path.

[CowboyUp]

Daddy's right. Jack's right. Today was a monumental step. Give it a few months, and we'll see where implementation is headed. We'll put more pressure when or if it's needed. Now, lets celebrate this major accomplishment. As a proud gay vet who served in silence, I never thought I would see this day.

[GoodFella69]

This is a major and historic victory for us, and for President Obama and all those who made it happen. That is how it will be remembered, no matter how anyone tries to spin it to the contrary. It is a time to celebrate and to fight onward towards full equality in every other realm of society.

[Guest greatness]

Rest in peace Leonard. I'm glad that gay men can serve in the military to serve this wonderful country.

[+ Ace]

Puts it in a whole different perspective for me........

Onward & upward!