Lt. Dan Choi, You're In The Army Now!

The New Civil Rights Movement:

Lt. Dan Choi, the Iraq war veteran, Arab linguist, and West Point grad turned "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal activist, today got what he had said he wanted from day one: the opportunity to serve his country in the armed forces again. This afternoon, amid dozens of reporters, and thousands of passersby -- most totally unaware they were seeing history in the making -- Lt. Dan Choi, the former Army infantry officer, re-enlisted in the military, this time, as an out gay man.

Lt. Choi, who has become the poster child for repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law barring gays from serving openly in the military, had said from the start of his battle to force the government to accept openly gay and lesbian service members into the military, and keep them from discharging them under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," that he would be the first to re-enlist as soon as it was legal for him to do so.

Read the whole story: The New Civil Rights Movement

Comments

[Ioan Lightoller]

10:45 PM on 10/25/2010

Good! Dan Choi is an asset to our forces. Glad to see that this is happening. You rock, Lt. Choi! Glad to see you back in uniform and serving your country.

[PurpleTomato]

03:43 PM on 10/20/2010

Thank you for your service to our country Lt.Dan!!

[Clearing-Brush]

03:38 PM on 10/20/2010

We have all just witnessed true courage under fire.

[Kathryn Maver]

03:03 PM on 10/20/2010

I'm pleased that he and all other LGBT people are now able to enlist/re-enlist. I am grateful for people willing to risk life and limb protect our country. All too often, however, as witnessed in Iraq, Panama, Grenada, etc, they are dying and being injured and traumatized in "operations" that have nothing to do with protecting the United States. Add to that the despicable manner in which we treat our returning veterans and it dampens my enthusiasm for this breakthrough in equality. I greet this news with pride and sorrow.

[hobo62]

02:09 PM on 10/20/2010

I think Forrest would say, "Way to go Lt. Dan".

[sdmcmla]

02:00 PM on 10/20/2010

Good for him. A man true to his word; good for America.

[Clearing-Brush]

01:16 PM on 10/20/2010

God, grant us the...
Serenity to accept things we cannot change,
Courage to change the things we can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference
Patience for the things that take time
Appreciation for all that we have, and
Tolerance for those with different struggles
Freedom to live beyond the limitations of our past ways, the
Ability to feel your love for us and our love for each other and the
Strength to get up and try again even when we feel it is hopeless.

- Reinhold Niebuhr

[GirlUsingBrain]

01:15 PM on 10/20/2010

So, so happy for Lt. Dan! So, so proud of Lt. Dan for perservering ... not giving up on what is just and right! Congratulations!

[Rangergirl]

12:57 PM on 10/20/2010

These folks deserve respect. They are fighting for our Country too... With distinction...I hope DADT is ended soon.... Congrats

[tootieM]

12:55 PM on 10/20/2010

Why are all opposing views deleted?

[Rbrandywine]

01:20 PM on 10/20/2010

Perhaps the way you worded it. (?) There's an opposing view posted above yours.

[stopliberalism]

12:49 PM on 10/20/2010

I'm sure he'll be very popular and welcomed back to the barracks with open arms..

[PhilipB]

12:55 PM on 10/20/2010

Very true, and it is a credit to the high professionalism of officers in the military. Certainly Lt. Choi's advanced training and capabilities is worthy of respect, but also his standing up for honor goes to the heart of his fellow West Point graduates.

[mmsuki]

01:30 PM on 10/20/2010

I think you missed the sarcasm from a right-wing extremist.

[been2there]

12:45 PM on 10/20/2010

Sadly, the military is still using the term “admit,” rather than “acknowledge.” How about using the verb "are." Recruits who are gay or lesbian.

[oceanofconsciousness]

01:24 PM on 10/20/2010

F/F. My thought exactly.

[b-dob]

03:13 PM on 10/20/2010

Why are they even recognizing sexuality at all? Recruits who have chosen to defend their country. Leave it at that.

[csavage]

12:39 PM on 10/20/2010

I hope this a "Note to all Americans"-we owe our freedom because there are those who are dedicated to serving this country, sometimes in ways most people can't understand. Many people would have just walked away from such a rebuff. Look at Shirley Sherrod....
These people, throughout our history, have been freed slaves, women, minorities. All have had their desire for service dismissed by the majority as "unacceptible" or "undesireable" and yet the desire persisted.
We don't need a study. We need an Executive Order. Harry Truman desegregated the military in a time where Jim Crow still reigned supreme in the South. The public's attitude toward homosexuality is far more accepting now...

[triplettam]

12:37 PM on 10/20/2010

Well, finally. A good story. Lt. Dan Choi is an honorable man for many reasons. He is everything we should think of when people mention "real Americans." He's courageous, he's smart; he fights for what's right and all he wants to do is serve his country. We salute you Dan for everything you've done and will do.

[liry]

02:49 PM on 10/20/2010

Well put. Lt. Choi is a credit to our military and will continue to serve admirably. Congratulations Lt. Choi! I wish you nothing but the best.

TT--fanned & faved. Thanks!

[Notsosurearewe]

12:25 PM on 10/20/2010

Congratulations Lt. Choi. It may be a little bumpy from here on out, but you've made it back into the service!