I spent 6 years in the Army, I did my job and I like to think I served my country well in that time. I applaud the repeal of "Don't ask, don't tell", it's been a long time coming. What I can't understand is the resentment toward this ruling, I saw the poll numbers..especially among the Army and the Marine Corp of those that oppose this, they were staggering. My thinking is that as long as the person that I am working with has got my back I don't care what race,religion, or sexual preference they are, just keep me safe and return home in one piece. In all fairness it was a lesson I had to learn, growing up in the country in a basically all WASP background..exposed to my parents prejudices and preconceived notions. But I learned that to know a person you have to know their heart and their character, that all the rest is just window dressing. I liken this to when President Harry Truman integrated black troops to serve side by side with their white counterparts. That move was met with the fear that it was going to be the end of the military as we knew it..but the military not only survived but has been made stronger. The lesson I have tried to impart to my children is that people they come in contact with need to be judged as people first, not for skin tone..or their beliefs..but who they are. But you have these old war horses like the commandant of the Marine Corps spewing nonsense about how this ruling will increase casualties in our battles in the middle east, well if the head man doesn't believe in it what chance does it have. But I am here to say that I think it's time we stop being such a closed-minded society and learn some compassion and tolerance.