Parents of Murdered Soldier: Repeal DADT

The parents of a soldier who was murdered more than a decade ago after he was rumored to be gay have called on the legislative repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," which has yet to be passed in the U.S. Senate.

Pat and Wally Kutteles, whose son, Pfc. Barry Winchell, was beaten to death in 1999 by two fellow service members, wrote in a Tuesday CNN op-ed, "We look forward to the day when [DADT] is repealed and when the armed forces adopt a policy that demonstrates clearly that all service members, including those who are gay or lesbian, are worthy of serving our country with dignity and integrity."

"Soon, members of the U.S. Senate will have an opportunity to ensure that Barry's death was not in vain, that no other young man or woman will be denied the chance to serve the country they love simply because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation," they wrote. "Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen has said it is the right thing to do. We urge senators to stand with Admiral Mullen and be on the right side of history."

Read the full commentary here.