PLANET CHOCKO – art/music/movies/beyond » We are ALL Private DANNY CHEN

We are ALL Private DANNY CHEN

August 13th, 2012 by Mr. C

A rally was held at Columbus Park in Chinatown last Saturday to show support for the family of 19 year old Private Danny Chen who took his own life after being hazed and subjected to racial slurs by his superiors while on duty in Afghanistan. This gathering at Columbus Park was also in protest to the verdict of the first military court martial of U.S. v Sgt Holcomb which basically was an equivalent to a slap in the wrist. They found the defendant guilty of maltreatment and assault & battery. He was sentenced to 30 days of confinement, one level of reduction in rank, and a $1,181.55 fine. How is this soldier, one of the leaders in his platoon still serving in our armed forces? Aren’t we ALL united in brotherhood/sisterhood being a U.S. citizen regardless of race/creed/ethnic background? And in this case they were supposedly united fighting in the U.S. Military on foreign soil. Who’s the real enemy here? It certainly wasn’t the Afghans. In my estimation, leaders in the military have two goals: accomplish any missions assigned before them with little to no harm to your unit and to provide care and safety mentally/physically for your soldiers in combat like they were a member of your own family. The Sgt. in charge of Private Danny seemed to be doing quite the opposite. The feelings of being worthless, the sense of being helpless with no signs of hope must of been driven down pretty darn deep from these WORTHLESS/HEARTLESS/SOULLESS eight U.S. soldiers in order for Private Chen to take his own life.

(Rally at Columbus Park in Chinatown-NYC)

Seven other soldiers await their trials and with the results of the first one, we as a community can’t help but be pessimistic. This verdict is what prompted the rally for Danny Chen last Saturday as leaders from the community including OCA-NY, Councilwoman Margaret Chin, NYC Comptroller John Liu, and other NYC community leaders like Council Members Mendez, Jackson, & Gentile provided inspirational speeches to lead the fight for justice for Danny Chen, his family, and to bring to light leadership issues in our military as well as the suicide epidemic in our armed forces.

(Danny Chen’s aunt)

(Time Magazine’s referral to ONE A DAY suicide in our Military Forces)

(The 3 feelings or signs before someone contemplates suicide.)

Danny Chen’s – Aunt Lucy made a touching speech thanking the community for their support as she continues to console the parents of Danny through these hard times. Aunt Lucy was adamant in saying that she would NEVER recommend nor want anyone one in her family to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces ever again. From simply wanting to serve his OWN country came a nasty revelation of failed leadership in the militiary as well as the ugly reality of racial discrimination even to this day and age in the America’s. It is very sad.

Other memorable speeches from the event were given by an alumni from Pace High School in Chinatown/L.E.S where Danny went to school as well as from the Director of the Headstart School where Danny attended as well. It was also comforting to hear and see a new generation of leaders like Julia Chung from Vassar College who is attending the hearings at Fort Bragg and providing support for the fight.

Sources of contact:

OCA-NY (Organization of Chinese Americans)
NY Immigration Coalition
Petition For Administrative Discharge From The Army (SGT Adam Holcomb)

(Councilwoman Margaret Chin)

(NYC Council Jackson)

(NYC Council Gentile)

(NYC Comptroller – John Liu)

(Alumni from Pace High School)

(Director from HeadStart School)

(Julia organizing the petitions)