American Civil Liberties Union

You can play "Taps" tomorrow for the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that prevented gay service members from serving openly.

The policy itself will be consigned to the dustbin of history when its repeal takes effect Tuesday. However, its legacy will still be felt by service members honorably discharged during the 18 years DADT was in place.

Richard Collins was one of them. Collins was a decorated Air Force staff sergeant, who was spotted kissing his boyfriend off-base and not in uniform. Collins, who served for nine years, was honorably discharged. But a Pentagon policy dictated that service members booted out of the military for "homosexuality," only receive half of the separation pay they would be entitled to.

Last week, after nearly 18 years and 14,000 dismissals, the demise of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" became official. Earlier today, the Pentagon made clear that military chaplains will be permitted to officiate at wedding ceremonies for gay and lesbian service members in those states where such marriages are legally recognized. In addition, the Pentagon made clear that these marriages can be performed on military bases, as well as other Defense Department facilities.

(Kristoffer Berrien has served in the U.S. Air Force nearly 17 years as an Avionics Specialist on multiple aircraft. Currently a reservist stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif., Kristoffer lives in the Sacramento area with his wife, who is also in the Air Force, and three children. He has been deployed in support of numerous operations, including Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Joint Forge. His comments are his alone, made as civilian not a member of the military, and do not reflect the views of the Air Force or Department of Defense in any way. He's also a member of the board of directors of the ACLU of Sacramento.)