I am a twenty year (1964 - 1984) Naval 'straight' veteran. During my time in service, I met, befriend, knew of many gays in service. I served aboard one ship in which I'm almost one hundred percent sure that the Captain and, or the Exec were gay. The described situation never existed on any other ship on which I served - three warships and two submarines!

We had at least seven couples onboard that ship and numerous others that were gay, but unattached. On warm evenings while cruising in warm waters, gay couples would sit on the fantail holding hands all the time. While I only spent a year aboard her, not one person ever raised an eyebrow about the situation onboard that ship.

Finally, I want to say that the Navy always had a list somewhere of how many Blacks were on each ship. As one of us would receive orders to a new command, we knew that there would be a guy coming to replace him that would inevitably be Black. I really believe that the Navy knew that the ship I was on held an unusual number of gays aboard.

Did it bother me - hell no!

STC (SS)

Keep up the good work Lawrence - but let me give you a tip: When you use the "Rainbow Flag" graphic on stories like this, be sure to put the RED stipe at the top. Your graphics for this story had the flag/community logo upsidedown.

Please make a note of it, many of us in your audience did and when you get it wrong it knocks your credibility.

I joined the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam Era.  I knew I was gay but wanted to serve my country.  I did so but while overseas in Germany, I was part of some sort of witch hunt.  I had to lie when asked directly if I was homosexual.  I never felt right about having to lie but would never jeopardize my enlistment.  I loved serving in the U.S. Air Force.  I received the highest of Airman Performance Reports and was top notch as far as my military and civilian supervisors.  I would have liked very much to reenlist and make a career of the military.  Being forced to not be myself made me choose to take discharge after my 4 year commitment.  After the military, having concerns about my fellow veterans, gay and straight, I took a career with the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center System where I also have also received top reviews.  People need to realize that gays & lesbians have always been in the military and have served proudly and exemplary.  It is time for us to serve proudly and without fear of unjust reprisals.  I can say, the fellow gays I knew and served with were also some of the most top notch troops ever.  To have to serve in silence now, is unacceptable and laughable to our western allies.  Lawrence, you too are a top notch troop!  Thanks!

I am looking to enlist in the Navy when I turn 19. I want to serve my country with pride. I've been with my partner for a long while now. We both know our love is and will be forever. Honestly, everyone I know, they don't care whether you are gay or straight. This is a new time. People have grown up and have mostly accepted it. Men and women who are serving our country shouldn't have to live in fear of someone outing them or that they will be discharged because of their sexual orientation(Which is private and non of anyones business.) Just like any other relationship. I would love to marry my partner and have children with her. I would love to be able to share my benefits with my future family and take care of them like I am suppose to, but unless DADT is gone. We all know that will never be possible. We need to keep fighting. We need to not to give up. Lawrence thank you so much for standing up and speaking for all the service men and women out there.