Two Minnesota activists joined Sen. Al Franken and Rep. Tim Walz in Washington Wednesday to watch President Obama sign the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal into law.

Jacob Reitan, an Eden Prairie resident who launched a campaign to try enlisting in the military as an openly gay soldier, and Tom Knabel, a Minneapolis resident on the Human Rights Campaign board of directors, were two of several hundred activists cheering on President Obama as he signed the repeal into law.

"The bill signing was absolutely incredible," said Reitan. "It was truly a momentous occasion, just fun for everyone involved."

As President Obama walked onto the stage for the signing, held at the Interior Department Wednesday morning, the audience began chanting, "Yes, we did," Reitan said.

Knabel, who served in the Air Force for 12 years, said he was moved to tears by the president's speech. "It was a very electric atmosphere," Knabel said. "You felt like you were part in something that was very historic."

After the signing, Reitan shook hands with the president and Vice President Joe Biden and spoke with Franken and Walz, he said. Walz and Reitan have a unique connection: Walz was a teacher at Mankato West High School while Reitan was a student.

"I said to Tim, 'We've come a long ways from the halls of Mankato West High School,'" Reitan said.