Beekman in the Bronx

EIGHT SOLDIERS CHARGED IN DEATH OF DANNY CHEN

BY DANIEL BEEKMAN AND CORKY SIEMASZKO (NYDN)

The best friend of Pvt. Danny Chen, the Chinatown soldier who was allegedly hounded by members of his unit before his death in Afghanistan, said Wednesday he doesn’t believe his pal killed himself.

Raymond Dong spoke out as the Army charged eight soldiers in connection with the death of Chen, whose body was found in a guard tower in Kandahar Province Oct. 3.

“I kind of saw this coming,” Dong told he Daily News. “I knew there had to be something because I can’t believe he would commit suicide.”

ISLAMIC SCHOOL BORN ON 9/11 FIGHTS ON FOR PEACE

BY DANIEL BEEKMAN (NYDN)

The same morning that radical Islamic terrorists destroyed the twin towers, the Islamic Leadership School in the Bronx opened its doors for the first time.

“I don’t remember much,” said student Ameena Drammeh, 14, who was just 3 years old on Sept. 11, 2001. “I just remember everyone running around [the school]. I remember all the phones ringing.”

As New Yorkers mourn the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the only Islamic school in the Bronx will mark a decade of promoting goodwill between Muslims and non-Muslims.

REFUGEES PUT DOWN ROOTS AT BRONX COMMUNITY GARDEN

BY DANIEL BEEKMAN (NYDN)

Refugees from all over the world are putting down roots at a vegetable farm in the Bronx.

The new arrivals - who hail from troubled nations such as Ivory Coast, Iraq, Bhutan and Burma - are growing peanuts, strawberries, radishes, carrots and lettuce at Drew Gardens on E. Tremont Ave. in West Farms.

Their leafy crop is modest, and the refugees face enormous challenges as they look for jobs and adjust to life in the Big Apple.

But the green-thumbed immigrants insist the shovel and spade work helps them heal.

FORDHAM VILLAGE IS PLACE FOR VETS TO CALL HOME

BY DANIEL BEEKMAN (NYDN)

Fordham Village, a sparkling new housing complex for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, was officially opened Monday.

Developed by The Jericho Project, Fordham Village is a six-story building of 56 furnished studio apartments, with 40% reserved for low-income vets and 60% for vets who were homeless or substance abusers.