Obama marks 5th anniversary of repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

David Jackson | USA TODAY

President Obama marked the fifth anniversary Tuesday of a signature event: The end of the military's ban on gays.

In signing the bill repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on Dec. 22, 2010, Obama said in a Facebook posting that he was "extending our country’s promise of equality to those who protect it every day."

He added: "Today, Americans can serve the country they love no matter who they love, and openly gay, lesbian and bisexual men and women in uniform make our military stronger and America safer."