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>> the president encouraged gay americans to enlist, encouraged the 14,000 plus discharged under don't ask, don't tell to return and spoke specifically to the current generation of gay service members. the last generation to serve in fear. >> as the first generation to serve openly in our armed forces, you will stand for all those who came before you, and you will serve as role models to all who come after. and i know that you will fulfill this responsibility with integrity and honor just as you have every other mission with which you've been charged. and you need to look no further than the s...

Marines, marines like eric alva, one of the first to be in iraq. leaders like captain jonathan hopkins, who led a platoon in to northern iraq during the initial invasion quelling an ethnic riot, earning a bronze star with valor. he was -- he was discharged only to receive e-mails and letters from his soldiers saying, they'd known he was gay all along. and thought that he was the best commander they ever had.

In the armed services fell short yesterday. it was blocked by republicans who had some claiming democrats were using the issue to score political points. steve handelsman has more. >> i sat here today on two good legs again as a proud gay marine. >> reporter: democrats rolled out their big guns. eric alva, one of the first warriors hurt in battle. >> it did not matter. >> reporter: he got a medical discharge but since don't ask, don't tell took effect, 13,000 men and women have been kicked out of the military. >> it's long past time to repeal this policy which is both unjust, un-american and e...