San Diego Pride Parade To Have First-Ever Active Military Personal Contingent

10 News reports that preparations are being made for a first-of-a-kind contingent in this weekend's San Diego LGBT Pride Parade. "I'm excited and overwhelmed," said Sean Sala, a former Navy sailor who is organizing the military's presence at this weekend's Pride Parade. A banner reading "Honoring Servicemembers" is ready to be unfurled, and shirts representing each branch of the U.S. military have been ordered. "This is going to be the first-ever active-duty military contingent in a U.S. Pride Parade anywhere," said Dwayne Crenshaw, executive director of San Diego LGBT Pride. In the contingent is a military convoy truck, along with banners and a giant American flag, escorted by a group expected to be 350 strong. A majority of the group will be gay active-duty military members. "This started out just as an idea several months ago. Now, it's exploded into a nationwide movement," said Sala. While the formal repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" is likely months away, a court decision recently prompted the military to stop discharging gay personnel and begin recruiting them. As local recruits began enlisting, a Pride float meant to honour all troops took on even more meaning. "Now it's more of a celebration," said Crenshaw. "I have a lot of active-duty members who are literally emotionally beside themselves because they understand this is what America is all about. A lot of people say they never thought they'd see something like this," said Sala. As the e-mails arrive, the anticipation (along with the RSVPs) continues to grow. "That day I'm going to be walking in tears because this is a historical moment in the history of the United States," said Sala. The military contingent will also be the biggest ever in the history of the San Diego Pride Parade.