>> 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 servicemen and women in this room, distinguished officers like former navy commander zoe dunning. marines, marines like eric alva, one of the first to be in iraq.