should homosexuals be permitted to serve in the armed forces?

Should homosexuals be permitted to serve in the armed forces?  That would be ridiculous to say that gays should not be allowed to serve in the armed forces!  I am all for gays having all the same rights as the straights.  Anyone who wants to serve our country, that is awesome.  It is unconstitutional to deny them that right.  

I saw a picture my friend posted on the internet last month, it was a picture of a bunch of flag-covered caskets like the political cartoon above, and it was captioned, "can you spot the gay one?", I think that made a big and powerful point.