Sam Spade's San Francisco

Twenty-eight retired U.S. military generals are planning to present a letter to President Bush on December 7th, the Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, urging the President to repeal the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy that discriminates against gay and lesbian servicemembers. The generals want the President to end the discrimination and fully welcome gay and lesbian Americans into our armed forces.

In the photo: General John Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Make absolutely no mistake about this. The 28 generals who have signed the letter are true American heroes. They are standing up and confronting their Commander in Chief on behalf of ordinary citizens of this nation who depend upon the support and strength of these fine officers.

"We respectfully urge Congress to repeal the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy," the letter says. "Those of us signing this letter have dedicated our lives to defending the rights of our citizens to believe whatever they wish."

The generals go on to inform the President that the estimated 65,000 gay and lesbians currently serving in our military are entitled to the same protections and respect as any other member of our armed forces.

General John Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wrote, "I now believe that if gay men and lesbians served openly in the United States military, they would not undermine the efficacy of the armed forces. Our military has been stretched thin by our deployments in the Middle East, and we must welcome the service of any American who is willing and able to do the job."
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