Iraq veteran, former assistant secretary at the Department of Veteran Affairs, and Democratic candidate for the 8th Congressional District, Tammy Duckworth has released a statement on the repeal of the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, which went into effect at midnight.

On this historic day when we end the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, I am proud that our Armed forces will never again discharge patriotic Americans because of their sexual orientation.

When my army buddies were pulling me out of a downed helicopter in Iraq, it didn’t matter to me if they were gay or straight.

Members of my family have served our country during every period of conflict since the Revolution, and so have gay and lesbian Americans. It’s taken far too long, but today America is stronger because now all who can do the job and love their country may serve in our nation's military.

There's a lesson in the fight to repeal DADT -- when Americans of goodwill come together, we can accomplish anything.