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Retired Chair of Joint Chiefs Shalikashvili died. Became DADT repeal advocate.



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We'd be remiss if we didn't acknowledge the death over the weekend of General Shalikashvili. Although he had a rocky start with our community, Shalikashvili proved he was capable of evolving and eventually redeemed himself.

Shalikashvili was head of the Joint Chiefs when the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays in the military was adopted. He had argued that allowing homosexuals to serve openly would hurt troop morale and undermine the cohesion of combat units. Years later, though, he said that he changed his mind on the issue after meeting with gay servicemen.

“These conversations showed me just how much the military has changed, and that gays and lesbians can be accepted by their peers,” Shalikashvili wrote in a January 2007 New York Times opinion piece.
Salute, and rest in peace, General.

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