Flags on the National Mall, Thursday night, November 29, 2007, to honor "12,000 Flags for 12,000 Patriots" to recognize the 12,000 homosexual men and women dismissed from the military since the signing of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

Over 3200 American flags fly on the National Mall, Friday, November 30, 2007, to honor the 12,000 homosexual men and women dismissed from the U.S. military under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The event, called "12,000 Flags for 12,000 Patriots," was held on the fourteenth anniversary of the legislation's signing. After volunteers initially placed at least three times as many flags the night before, the number was reduced in order to make the display more manageable in the winds.

Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first American wounded in the war in Iraq, speaks to the media in front of over 3200 American flags on the National Mall, Friday, November 30, 2007.

Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first American wounded when he lost a leg in the war in Iraq, shows his prosthetic limb to the media in front of over 3200 American flags on the National Mall.

The president's helicopter, carrying President and Mrs. Bush to a faith-based roundtable discussion about the global response to HIV/AIDS at Calvary United Methodist Church in Mount Airy, Maryland, flies above over 3200 American flags placed on the National Mall.