"

Update: AWOL Soldier Brian Currie Doesn't Turn Himself In

Spc. Bryan Currie, did not surrender, as planned, to Ft Drum authorities on Friday, March 7th. "Given his agitated state when we arrived at the base, I don't think he was really able to think it through rationally," explained Tod Ensign, co-coordinator of the Different Drummer cafe. Currie had announced at a morning press conference at the soldiers' cafe that he would turn himself in at the base's Mental Health Center for a psychiatric evaluation. He said that he hoped to receive a honorable or medical discharge from the Army. He was joined at the press conference by his mother, Elizabeth, his grandmother Betty, his girlfriend, Nicole Petak and Louis Font, his civilian defense attorney from Brookline, MA.

Mr. Ensign reported that once at the installation Specialist Currie became extremely upset and decided that he could not again put on a military uniform nor obey military orders. "It's really a measure of the seriousness of the PTSD he's suffering from," Ensign said

At present, Currie's family is seeking to obtain mental health treatment for Bryan at a civilian facility.

10th Mountain

Soldier Brian Curry Files for Army Court of Inquiry to Probe Treatment of Wounded; He Was Ordered to Iraq Despite Medical Profile Barring Deployment

Friday, March 7th at 11:00 a.m.
Different Drummer Cafe, 12 Paddock Arcade, downtown Watertown, N Y

brian curry with moms
Mrs. Elizabeth O., Louis Font, Brian Curry

Sp/4 Brian Curry 21, of Charleston, S.C. suffered mental and physical injuries during his 15 month combat tour with the 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal of Valor. Because of a written "Do Not Deploy" medical profile, he followed doctor's orders and didn't deploy again with his unit to Iraq.

He is filing a request for a Court of Inquiry under Art. 135 of the UCMJ with Secretary of the Army Geren to investigate the conduct of General Michael Oates, Commanding General, 10th Mtn Division, concerning the treatment of soldiers suffering from PTSD.

Other participants in the press event:

Mrs. Elizabeth Curry, mother of Bryan C., from Charleston, S.C. who will discuss her son's injuries.

Mrs. Elizabeth O., Bryan's grandmother, from Summit N.J. who will express her support for Bryan's receiving a medical discharge

Louis P. Font, of Brookline, MA., Bryan's civilian defense attorney

 


The Different Drummer Internet Cafe is a joint project of Citizen Soldier and Vietnam Veterans Against the War.
CS is located at 267 Fifth Ave., #901, New York, N Y 10016 (212) 679-2250 (www.citizen-soldier.org) while
VVAW is located at PO Box 408594, Chicago, IL 60640 (773) 276-4180 (www.vvaw.org) 

Different Drummer Cafe, 12 Paddock Arcade, 1 Public Square, Watertown NY 13601 Phone 315-782-0595