Lee Reinhart, a former Coast Guard and
Navy man, is returning to the military now that “Don't Ask, Don't
Tell” has been scrapped, the Chicago
Tribune reported.
Reinhart, 38, served four years in the
Navy without incident. But months after joining the Coast Guard in
2002 he was discharged under the policy that banned gay and bisexual
troops from serving openly after he refused to deny rumors that he
was gay.
He went on to fight for repeal of the
law which over its 18-year life claimed the military careers of more
than 14,000 service members.
On Monday morning, Reinhart will enlist
in the Navy Reserve. Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley, a strong gay rights
ally, will administer the oath to Reinhart during a ceremony at the
Center on Halsted, Chicago's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
community center.
Reinhart said he was motivated to
re-enlist by the “desire to be able to give back to my country and
serve my country, and the honor and pride that comes with that.”