Gen. Peter Pace is wrong. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff recently said he believes that gay troops are immoral and should continue to be banned from our armed forces.

Pace has dropped the pretense that the Pentagon’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is based on anything other than personal discomfort and prejudice.

What is at stake here is not just fundamental questions of identity, liberty and equality. What also is at stake is the meaning of citizenship.

Historically, citizenship has been tied directly to military service.

During World War II, blacks formed the Tuskegee Airmen, among the bravest of fighter pilots in our nation’s history. But official military policy continued to require that our black patriots serve in segregated units.

However, in 1947, President Harry Truman issued an executive order requiring the integration of blacks into the armed forces. That was before Brown v. Board of Education. It was before the desegregation of buses and water fountains and swimming pools and hotels.

The military led the way.

These days, the military has lowered its recruiting standards – waiving criminal backgrounds and reducing educational requirements – but it won’t allow gay patriots to serve openly.

When our federal government denies discharged gay service members college benefits and pensions, it is thumbing its nose at their honorable service and sacrifice.

When the military ignores or diminishes the harassment that gay service members face, it sends a message that gay Americans are second class and deserve to be treated that way.

Gen. Pace’s comments suggest that such treatment is justified. It is not.

Pace should apologize for his remarks, applaud the service of gay Americans and lead the way in welcoming them as full citizens of our nation.