"Don't Ask, Don't Tell": The End is Near: 20 SEP 2011

We're almost there. Last December 22, President Obama said, "This is done." Today, the President signed, and submitted to Congress, the Certification, by the President, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen. Full implementation of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal Act of 2010 takes effect 60 days later - 20 SEP 2011.

Here is the Oval Office meeting:


And here is the Certification:


Operation Yellow Elephant also salutes former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, for his leadership on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal and his Service to Our Country over many decades. We wish him well in his retirement.


The devil is always in the details. We salute Dr. Clifford Stanley, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Mr. Jeh Johnson, General Counsel of the Department of Defense and the leaders of the Pentagon body implementing the repeal, Ms. Virginia "Vee" Penrod, above, right, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy and Chairwoman of the Repeal Implementation Team, and Major General Steven A. Hummer, USMC, Chief of Staff, above, left, explaining the details following certification, and their Team for their hard work and dedication to America.


We also recognize and salute former Rep. Patrick Murphy [D-PA], above, now a candidate for Pennsylvania Attorney General [click here and scroll down for his statement], and Senator Joe Lieberman [I-CT], below, for their leadership in Congress and perseverance in doing the right thing for America.


Finally, we salute Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, in this fight since the beginning, along with Servicemembers United, OutServe, the Palm Center and the Log Cabin Republicans [whose court challenge to DADT helped to keep the pressure on], for their dedication and commitment to America.

OYE Comment:

Don't worry, civilian Log Cabin Republicans [and Stonewall Democrats]: Once DADT is history, you're on the hook with OYE!

Remembering Corporal Andrew Wilfahrt, U.S. Army

from Courage Campaign and OutServe:

Tomorrow will mark the 100th day since President Obama signed legislation repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" back in December. "This is done," he said at the time.

But it’s not done. Since then, at least three gay soldiers have died in the closet waiting for the Pentagon and the White House to certify that Our Military is ready to implement repeal. Among them is U.S. Army Corporal Andrew Wilfahrt, whom Courage Campaign and OutServe honor today.

This is his story, as told in a powerful new video Testimony by his mother Lori and father Jeff.



Please watch this video and share with friends. People need to hear Andrew's story to show that the gays and lesbians currently serving give the same sacrifices -- and still can't serve openly and honestly.

Thanks for standing strong for equality and supporting our troops.

With thanks to JD Smith, OutServe