Sara Isaacson, a college student at UNC Chapel Hill, was also a proud member of the college's Army ROTC organization. She was hoping to follow in the footsteps of her grandfather, a veteran who served for years as a physician with the US Army.
Today she is on Capitol Hill meeting with staffers at the North Carolina Congressional offices.
The reason -- she was recently discharged by the government for being gay, according to OutInAmerica.com
In January Isaacson came out to her commander, and in March, she was promptly discharged under "don't ask, don't tell." School officials are even going as far as to ask for repayment of over $79,000 in government funding provided by her ROTC scholarship.
"I think it was beneficial for them to hear it directly from me," Sara Isaacson said in a statement. "I believe in living up to the military's core values of integrity. If I could serve openly and honestly, I'd seriously consider returning to school today and serving my country after graduation."
Outinamerica.com is reporting that the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), a national organization dedicated to ending DADT, is representing Sara during the hearings.
Aubrey Sarvis, Executive Director of the SLDN said, "Sara's story is the latest reminder of why 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' needs to be repealed now. DADT strips the military of talented young people like Sara for simply being who they are - it's not only discrimination but it's weakening our national security."
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