From the New York Times’ coverage of hearings related to the repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy related to whether gays and lesbians serve in the U.S. military:

On one thing, Mr. Gates, Admiral Mullen and Republicans on the committee agreed: many gay men and lesbians are serving honorably and effectively in the military today, despite a policy that has led to more than 13,000 discharges, including those of much-needed Arabic translators.

“I have served with homosexuals since 1968,” Admiral Mullen told the committee. He added, “Everybody in the military has, and we understand that.”

Is there really anything else to add?  That it’s taken more than 40 years to figure out how to allow this to become an admitted and not “they’re in denial and we’ll just play along with that denial” reality is insult on injury to the men and women who offer up their lives to protect and serve the rest of us.