Army Lt. Dan Choi is Discharged

By Matt Coker Thu., Jul. 22 2010 at 4:30 PM

Categories: Breaking News, OC Media

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Army Lieutenant, Westpoint grad, Arabic translator, Tustin native and gay activist Dan Choi received notice that he's been honorably discharged from the Army National Guard under "Don't Ask Don't Tell."

The Iraq war veteran, who came out more than a year ago on MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show, called the Army's decision "infuriating and painful."

The Orange County Register has the scoop.

"Lt. Dan Choi of Tustin Arrested for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell Stunt at White House"

The Departments of the Army and Air Force issued a memo stating Choi's admission of being gay violates Army regulations.

"Move Over, Obama, Dan Choi Subpoenas Obama"

That prompted a statement on Twitter from Choi:

"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.

"Our fight is just beginning."

Tustin's Lt. Dan Choi: Obama's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Pledge "Unacceptable"

Choi had been training monthly with his National Guard unit in upstate New York for a potential deployment to Afghanistan, the Register reports.

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