Servicemembers United Executive Director and Army veteran Alexander Nicholson led the effort. Nicholson is one of those discharged under "Don't Ask."

"Anyone who knows the modern military," says Nicholson, "knows that our men and women in uniform are trained professionals who can do their jobs no matter what."

Adds Nicholson, "'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is unnecessary in the 21st century military and it wastes talent that the military desperately needs right now."

"Our country is in a war and our military is in the midst of a crisis," says Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solomonese. "The military is still kicking out qualified gay, lesbian and bisexual service members. It's time to stop insulting the good men and women who want to serve their country — it is time to end 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'"

Adds Log Cabin Republicans President Patrick Sammon, "Our message with this event is simple: 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' harms our national security by disqualifying and discharging thousands of brave, patriotic Americans from serving our country--many with critical skills that we badly need to fight the war on terror."

"This remarkable exhibit on our National Mall vividly illustrates exactly why federally sanctioned discrimination is never in the best interests of our country," says Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis. "It is long past time to welcome America's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patriots to our armed forces."

A coalition of 28 retired admirals and generals jointly wrote a letter, presented at the event, urging the repeal of "Don't Ask":

"We respectfully urge Congress to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Those of us signing this letter have dedicated our lives to defending the rights of our citizens to believe whatever they wish. As General Colin Powell, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs said when the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy was enacted, it is not the place of the military or those in senior leadership to make moral judgments.

Scholarly data show that there are approximately one million gay and lesbian veterans in the United States today, as well as 65,000 gays and lesbians currently serving in our armed forces. They have served our nation honorably.

We support the recent comments of another former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General John Shalikashvili, who has concluded that repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy would not harm, and would indeed help, our armed forces. As is the case in Britain, Israel, and other nations which allow gays and lesbians to serve openly, our service members are professionals who are able to work together effectively despite differences in race, gender, religion, and sexuality. Such collaboration reflects the strength and the best traditions of our democracy."

Below are photos from the event, "12,000 Flags for 12,000 Patriots," which displayed one flag on the National Mall for each servicemember discharged from the military under "Don't Ask." Additional video and photos are available at HRC Back Story.

Volunteers place flags on the National Mall, Thursday night, November 29, 2007, to honor "12,000 Flags for 12,000 Patriots" to recognize the 12,000 homosexual men and women dismissed from the military since the signing of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

Flags on the National Mall, Thursday night, November 29, 2007, to honor "12,000 Flags for 12,000 Patriots" to recognize the 12,000 homosexual men and women dismissed from the military since the signing of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

Over 3200 American flags fly on the National Mall, Friday, November 30, 2007, to honor the 12,000 homosexual men and women dismissed from the U.S. military under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The event, called "12,000 Flags for 12,000 Patriots," was held on the fourteenth anniversary of the legislation's signing. After volunteers initially placed at least three times as many flags the night before, the number was reduced in order to make the display more manageable in the winds.

Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first American wounded in the war in Iraq, speaks to the media in front of over 3200 American flags on the National Mall, Friday, November 30, 2007.

Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first American wounded when he lost a leg in the war in Iraq, shows his prosthetic limb to the media in front of over 3200 American flags on the National Mall.

The president's helicopter, carrying President and Mrs. Bush to a faith-based roundtable discussion about the global response to HIV/AIDS at Calvary United Methodist Church in Mount Airy, Maryland, flies above over 3200 American flags placed on the National Mall.