May 20, 2009, I normally don’t get involved in political stories but after watching the Rachel Maddow show last night, I thought is was appropriate to write this letter and request that you post it.  

On May 19, 2009, Rachel Maddow, which airs on MSNBC, introduced a guest named Lieutenant Colonel Victor J. Fehrenbach. Mr. Fehrenbach is a 19 year jet pilot for the military who flies the F-15E Strike Eagle. He has flown numerous missions against Taliban and Al-Qaida targets, including the longest combat mission in his squadron's history. On that infamous September 11, 2001, Lt. Col. Fehrenbach was hand picked to fly sorties above the nation's capital. Later he flew combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has received at least 30 awards and decorations including nine Air Medals, one of them for heroism, as well as campaign medals for Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Under the current military policy, “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”, Lieutenant Colonel Fehrenbach has learned of many gay and lesbian military personnel booted out of the military because the military learned of their sexual orientation.

As a result in early 2009, Lieutenant Colonel Fehrenbach came out in protest and informed the military he as well is gay. As a result, the military has given Mr. Fehrenbach his walking papers.