At its meeting Tuesday night, the Falls Church School Board approved a resolution calling for the repeal of the U.S. military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy with respect to lesbian and gay personnel.

“The Falls Church City Public School Board believes that a soldier must display courage, patriotism, commitment and ability, none of which have anything to do with sexual orientation. For many young Americans, including numerous students graduating from Falls Church City Public Schools, military service and military service academies provide benefits including remarkable leadership training and educational benefits. Many nations, including Canada and the United Kingdom, currently allow gay, lesbian and bisexual soldiers to serve openly alongside American forces in combat,” the resolution stated, adding, “Overturning the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy will help ensure that all students, including gay and lesbian students, interested in enlisted in the military, enrolling in a ROTC program, or attending a United States Service Academy will be afforded the same opportunities as any other American who wants to serve the nation.”