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Dear Congress,

This morning, a group of 28 retired Generals and Admirals released a letter calling on Congress to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The letter, which marks the largest single group of officers to ever call for repeal at once, comes on the 14th anniversary of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Throughout this weekend, a groundbreaking exhibit on the National Mall will mark the anniversary with 12,000 flags representing the 12,000 men and women who have been dismissed under this law. Now, on this most unhappy anniversary, 28 more military leaders have said 'enough is enough.' We welcome them to the campaign to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and are proud to share their letter with you: We respectfully urge Congress to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Those of us signing this letter have dedicated our lives to defending the rights of our citizens to believe whatever they wish. As General Colin Powell, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs said when the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy was enacted, it is not the place of the military or those in senior leadership to make moral judgments. Scholarly data show that there are approximately one million gay and lesbian veterans in the United States today, as well as 65,000 gays and lesbians currently serving in our armed forces. They have served our nation honorably. We support the recent comments of another former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General John Shalikashvili, who has concluded that repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy would not harm, and would indeed help, our armed forces. As is the case in Britain, Israel, and other nations which allow gays and lesbians to serve openly, our service members are professionals who are able to work together effectively despite differences in race, gender, religion, and sexuality. Such collaboration reflects the strength and the best traditions of our democracy. Lieutenant General Jerry Hilmes; Branch: Army Vice Admiral Harold Koenig; Branch: Navy; Field: Medical Vice Admiral James Zimble, Midlothian, VA; Branch: Navy; Field: Medical Major General Leslie Burger, Vancouver, WA; Branch: Army; Field: Medical Major General Alexander Burgin, Salem, OR; Branch: Army NG; Field: Artillery Major General Michael Conrad, McLean, VA; Field: Infantry Major General James Delk, Fair Oaks, CA; Branch: Army; Field: Medical Major General Jack Farris, New Jersey; Branch: Air Force; Field: Aviation (pilot) Major General Fred Forster, Tennessee; Field: Aviation Major General David Hale, Hampton Bays, NY; Field: Combat Major General Randy Jayne, McClean, VA; Branch: Air NG; Field: Aviation (pilot) Major General Dennis Laich, Dublin, OH; Branch: Army; Field: Military Police Major General Dennis Malcor, Vine Grove, KY; Branch: Army; Field: Combat Major General Michael Scotti*, Arlington, VA; Branch: Army; Field: Medical Major General Harry Sieben, Minnesota; Branch: Army and Air NG Rear Admiral William Retz; Branch: Navy Brigadier General Clara Adams-Ender, Woodbridge, VA; Branch: Army; Field: Medical Brigadier General Dale Barber, Waverly, NY; Branch: Army; Field: Infantry Engineer Brigadier General Harold Bowman, Pleasant Hill, IA; Branch: Army NG; Field; Medical Brigadier General Douglas Bradley, Diablo, CA; Branch: Army; Field: Medical Brigadier General William Colvin; Branch: Army NG Brigadier General Bob Hardy; Branch: Army Brigadier General JD Johnson, Salt Lake City, UT; Branch: Army For more information on the letter, visit The Michael Palm Center online. - Steve Ralls

Labels: in the news, veterans

11-30-07