Today, Dan Choi learned that he's been discharged from the Army under Don't Ask, Don't Tell. He'll be on Rachel Maddow tonight, but was gracious enough to do an interview with AMERICAblog this afternoon here in Las Vegas. I talked to him about the news of his discharge and his activism. Also, Dan's statement on his discharge is below:
From Dan:
My Statement on DADT DischargeI saw the letter from the Adjutant General of the NY National Guard. It actually states that the discharge is happening because the Board of Officers found that:
This morning I received notification of my honorable discharge from the army under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." After 11 years since beginning my journey at West Point and after 17 months of serving openly as an infantry officer this is both an infuriating and painful announcement.
But my service continues. To all those veterans who have endured similar trials and injustices or prematurely ended their military service because of the unjust policy: our fight has only begun.
The true honor and dignity of service does not come from a piece of paper, a pension or paycheck, a rank or status; only an unflinching commitment to improve the lives of others can determine the nature of one's service. From the first moment we put on our nation's uniform and swore our solemn oath, we committed ourselves to fight for freedom and justice; to defend our constitution and put the needs of others before our own. This is not an oath that I intend to abandon. Doing so at such a time, or remaining silent when our family and community members are fired or punished for who they truly are would be an unequivocal moral dereliction that tarnishes the honor of the uniform and insults the meaning of America.
Lt. Dan Choi
1LT Choi did public admit, on more than one occasion, in person and through the media, that he is a homosexualAnd, for that, Dan was discharged. That's Don't Ask, Don't Tell in operation.
More from Eve Conant of Newsweek.
