VFW chief Richard Eubank says openly gay troops pose problem, despite end of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

A day after Congress abolished the controversial policy banning gay and lesbian service members, the head of the Veterans of Foreign Wars said implementing the change will be difficult and the military should give more weight to the opposition of many on the front lines.

"The acceptance of open homosexuality ... could be far more difficult to implement than repeal advocates ever envisioned," said Richard Eubank, a retired Marine who leads the 2.1 million-member VFW.

Supporters compared "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to racial segregation laws and cheered its demise.

"This has been a long-fought battle, but this failed and discriminatory law will now be history," said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign.

In a historic vote for gay rights, the Senate agreed on Saturday to do away with the military's 17-year ban on openly gay troops.

President Obama was expected to sign the bill this week, although changes to military policy probably wouldn't take effect for at least several months. "It is time to close this chapter in our history," Obama said.

The VFW believes the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" won't be as simple as not discharging gay service members.

The military will have to do a complete policy review, including gay-friendly "sensitivity training" and personnel rules, it asserted.