Remembering Asian American soldier Danny Chen
Crowds gathered in Chinatown Friday to remember the Asian-American soldier who took his own life while serving in Afghanistan.
U.S. Army Private Danny Chen died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on October 3, 2011 in Kandahar Province.
Following the incident, eight soldiers faced court martials for racially hazing the 19-year-old.
The death of the Chinatown native sparked national outcry and changes in the Armed Forces.
“Obama, actually, though this work that gained national attention, has actually signed anti-hazing legislation,” said Dr. Wah Lee of Asian Pacific American Advocates. “We as an organization, OCA New York, we have spoken with the Pentagon, and it seems like they have implemented policies based on the work that we have done.”
“He always wanted to join the army, and on this day, we want the community to remember him and let his legacy [continue] to carry on so this brutality will not be repeated in the army,” said Sookling Lai, Danny Chen’s teacher.
The gathering, and a moment of silence, took place on “Private Danny Chen Way,” located at the corner of Elizabeth and Canal streets. The street was named in his honor in May.
Source www.ny1.com
Asian American Soldier Danny Chen took his own life while serving in Afghanistan. U.S. Army Private Danny Chen died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on October 3, 2011 in Kandahar Province. Following the incident, eight soldiers faced court martials for racially hazing the 19-year-old.
As a result of this incident, President Obama has actually signed anti-hazing legislation! Please keep the late Private Danny Chen and his family in your prayers! It is a great shame that it had to take the death of Private Danny Chen to finally pass Anti-Hazing Legislation. The death of Private Danny Chen is a great tragedy! For years, hazing has taken the lives of so many innocent people.
Saving Private Ryan
There was another great film based on the Fighting Sullivan Brothers. They all wanted to be together and requested to be on the same ship during World War II. That request was granted and they all died on that ship. The saddest part of the movie was when the Navy Official visited their home to tell their mother. It is a real tear jerker. After that incident, siblings were no longer allowed to stay together. That way, they had a better chance of surviving a major war.
The Fighting Five Sullivans
All members of the US Military deserve the greatest respect. Regardless of whether or not you believe in the cause behind the war, you should never take it out on the Soldiers themselves as Hanoi Jane is so famous for doing. She committed a despicable act against the USA Military and although the war was wrong, you cannot attempt to deprive the Servicemen of the great respect that they deserve as defenders of the Faith, the Country, and of YOUR PROTECTION! They are true American Heroes! My father was very sick for a long time from the Agent Orange that they used to fight in the Korean War. He was shot in combat and he died at a fairly young age. He had just turned 55. The 1989 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade was in honor of my father. It is customary to address any member of the Military as “Officer” unless they have earned a title like General or Major. 🙁