PRIVATE CHEN DREAMED OF JOINING NYPD AFTER SERVICE
BY DANIEL BEEKMAN, CORKY SIEMASZKO AND RICH SCHAPIRO (NYDN)
Army Pvt. Danny Chen didn’t fit the mold of the classic tough-as-nails American soldier.
He was soft-spoken and slender — more gentle than tough, more awkward than athletic.
Friends described the only child from the lower East Side as quirky and brainy, with an offbeat sense of humor.
But deep within Chen’s unimposing facade was a warrior.
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.”
BORO PREZ THREATENS TO SUE BLOOMBERG ADMIN OVER BASE
BY DANIEL BEEKMAN (NYDN)
Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is threatening to sue the Bloomberg administration over the fate of a Bronx military base.
BRONX PARENTS PUSH FOR KINGSBRIDGE ARMORY SCHOOLS
BY DANIEL BEEKMAN (NYDN)
Bronx parents who want books, not bombs at the Kingsbridge Armory are on pins and needles Wednesday.
They packed a public hearing last week to beg the Bloomberg administration to boot National and state Guard units from the armory annex on W. 195th St. in favor of building new schools there.
But the administration is on the verge of turning the parents down, with a decision expected Thursday on the fate of a proposed new home for the Guard.
FUTURE OF VACANT BRONX MILITARY BASES HOTLY CONTESTED
BY DANIEL BEEKMAN (NYDN)
Battles over vacant military buildings are breaking out all over the Bronx.
