A story out of a Syracuse military hearing last week brought an important issue for this country close to home.

A military panel has recommended a discharge of Army National Guard Lt. Dan Choi because he has publicly declared that he is gay. To a large degree, the panel can't be faulted. It was merely following the military's much-discussed “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy regarding sexual orientation.

The case is a clear reminder that this policy must be eliminated.

For starters, the policy is discriminatory. That's plain to see.

But there's also a military cost. Just look at the case of Choi, who could be the first New York National Guard member discharged if higher-ups approve the panel's recommendation.

In pushing out Choi, the Army is removing an accomplished soldier who has served in combat. He has been a leader of combat patrols, served as a translator and helped build schools and hospitals. In short, he is the type of soldier that al-Qaida probably fears most.

Unfortunately, the military has been losing plenty of men and women with similar credentials thanks to its policy on sexual orientation. The Department of Defense said about 10,500 military personnel have been discharged since 1997.

“Don't Ask, Don't Tell” was established in 1993 as a compromise at a time when there had been an outright ban on gay service members.

What's clear, 16 years later, is that the long-held military establishment beliefs that openly gay personnel could hurt morale is foolish. What's hurting morale more these days is the loss of people like Choi.

We're pleased to see New York's own U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand speaking up for a repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” and we hope to see President Obama become more aggressive in an effort to move this issue forward.