The holiday season just got a lot brighter for the Manzella family when out gay Sergeant Darren Manzella returned home to the United States with his unit Thursday, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) reports.

Manzella, who was featured on Sunday's 60 Minutes story about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," came back from a long tour in Kuwait. Here's what SLDN writes in a release:

"Sergeant Manzella arrived back in the United States yesterday with his unit, returning from a long tour in Kuwait. He got back to his base in the States yesterday, safe and sound.

"As you can imagine, his CBS appearance on Sunday has caused quite the buzz among his fellow troops, but Darren reports to SLDN that he's received an overwhelmingly positive response from many people - both inside and out of the armed forces - who have contacted him to offer support and congratulations. (And we've been passing along your messages to Darren, too. You can still email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .)

"Now, of course, Darren's thoughts are turning to the upcoming holidays. And, we're happy to report, it looks like he'll likely be able to spend Christmas at home with parents and siblings, who are all immensely proud of him."

Watch Sunday's 60 Minutes Story with Darren Manzella here.

Last update: 12-21-2007 18:41

Posted by Ron, on 12-23-2007 07:43, 1. RETURNING HOME GAY SERGEANT was in military in the 1960's and was discharged for being gay. i was a 4.0 sailor. really think it was unfar as was in vietnam oh well just my thought   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by Matt, on 12-24-2007 04:20, 2. THANK YOU FOR SERVING!! I say way to go to ALL Americans serving in a time of war. My brother is a straight Marine and the last thing he thinks about is who around him is gay. I am a gay man of enlisting age, surely if "don't ask don't tell" was repealed I would have more strongly considered serveing our nation along with many other LGBT in our nation. I find the current arguments for keeping gays out despicable, that we are too week, or that because there are people who have hatred for LGBT we should keep them out in order to create better cohesion. Better cohesion of what their hate?   Sgt. Darren Manzel ur HOTT   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by RON, on 12-24-2007 17:35, 3. THANS FOR SERVING YOU KNOW THE DON'T ASK DON'T TELL SHOULD OF BEEN AROUND IN THE 60'S AS THERE WERE A LOT OF GAYS IN SERVICE AND SO WHAT. THEY DID A HELL OF A JOB AND WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE TODAY, IT THE TOP OFFICIAL THAT SCREW THINGS UP. WE DID NOT ASK TO GO TO VIET NAM WE WERE DRAFTED AND WE WENT ANS SERVED , DID NOT MATTER WHAT OUR SEXUAL PREFENCE'S WERE. JUST MY THOUGHTS WELCOME HOME AND I HOPE THE BEST. GAY IN SERVICE IN THE 60'S   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by Welcome Home, on 12-27-2007 00:42, 4. THANKS FOR SERVING We need more men like you out and proud Im glad your home now go have some fun   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by Rick, on 12-29-2007 13:33, 5. Way to go, THANKS FOR SERVING Way to go. Serving our country has nothing to do with sexual preference. I was there in early 70's and there were a lot of gays. Some kicked out because of it. I served my time and am Very proud to say I was of service to my country. Gay men and women are just as capable of service as anyone else. Thanks for serving to all the vets.   » Report this comment to administrator