Gay airman discharged under 'don't ask, don't tell' recounts White House visit

David Hall got an unexpected call a week ago Tuesday, just after 9 p.m. On the line: the Presidential Inauguration Committee. Would he be willing to be a co-chair for the inaugural celebration? Citizen co-chairs are people whose stories help illustrate the president's first-term accomplishments. The president wanted him there because of Hall's efforts to overturn Don't Ask Don't Tell. The president. Wow. Hall said yes. Less than a week later he found himself in the Oval Office, sitting across from President Barack Obama. Hall lives in Washington, D.C. now, but his path to the White House began in Anchorage, in 2004. Back then, he was an Air Force veteran and the top cadet in his Air Force ROTC program at UAA, headed for pilot training, which was his dream. He was also gay and dating Jack Glover, another cadet. They were discreet. Most people thought they were best friends, but they did confide in another student about their relationship. Eventually that student told their superiors. Military lawyers began an investigation. Both men were discharged. (Glover was also a promising cadet. He ranked third in their class.)