Duane Cohen is a native Westporter. He still lives here. He writes:
With the recent dismantling of government agencies by the Trump administration, I felt compelled to dig up a memory I would rather keep buried.
However, my story is important to recognize the progress we have made, understand how far we have come, and realize how scary it is to have Trump dismantling our protections.
In December 1970, at age 17, I enlisted in the US Navy. At age 18 while on active duty, I was injured when I fell 10 feet on my back during a storm that also caused our ammunition ship to lose its radar antenna, and crack the hull.
Duane Cohen, in the Navy.
When we returned to the States, I sought medical treatment. It was determined I had hearniated a disc in my lower back. I still have it, 50 years later.
The disability was determined to be 10% disabling. With therapy and exercises I gained and maintained work to support myself and my family.
In the early ’70s, returning veterans were able to take a Post Office entrance exam at any time, and were given a preference for hiring.
I took the entrance exam. I was hired in a probationary job, loading and unloading trucks at the Danbury Post office for 90 days.
At the end of the probationary period, I was offered a position as a mail carrier in Norwalk.
I accepted the position, and was hired by the Norwalk postmaster on a Friday afternoon. I was told begin work on Monday morning.
When I reported for work on Monday, I was told to leave. I did not have a job. The medical examiner (who never examined me) said I was “not a candidate” because of my disability.
I was told I had no recourse, because there were no laws against discriminating against a disabled person
Duane Cohen, then …
I had nowhere to go, no one to help. I wrote letters. I went to the VA, Disabled American Veterans, and many military and legal organizations. I was told every time, “If the PO won’t hire you, it’s for your own good. You can’t do the job. Find something else.”
But I knew they were wrong. That is when I found someone at legal services in Norwalk who took my case for free.
My doctor and I certified that I could do what was required, carrying up to 35 pounds of mail.
Somehow, the story was picked up by the New Canaan newspaper. After the article came out, people started helping.
Letters were sent to Rosalynn Carter, the president’s wife, who was advocating for disabled veterans.
I received a letter from Senator Ribicoff, who asked to meet with me in his office. He arranged for me to be examined by the Post Office medical dxaminer, for the first time. I passed the exam.
My case went before a judge. It was determined that the Norwalk Post Office had hired me, and was now discriminating against a disabled employee by not allowing me to do my job. It was determined the postmaster had hired me before the chief medical officer was able to determine his discrimination, which he would have gotten away with. If the postmaster had not hired me, in those days they could have discriminated against me for being a disabled person, let alone a Vietnam veteran.
I won the case with all my back pay, night differential, and all benefits from the day I was hired, including seniority.
… and now.
When I was asked where I would like to work, I wanted to be as far away from the Norwalk postmaster as I could be. I elected to work in Stamford.
Within a few months, the Norwalk postmaster was promoted. He became the Stamford postmaster, in charge of Darien, Westport and Greenwich.
He then unjustly fired me twice. He had to rehire me both times, with back pay. Fortunately, as a civil servant I was protected by the Equal Opportunity Commission and the Merit Systems Protection Board.
The EEOC and many other agencies in place to protect us from bullies like the postmaster are being eliminated by Trump.
That is why I dusted off this memory. We cannot go back!
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Wow! Thank you for your service and thank you for sharing this story at such a relevant time! It really does highlight the very protections that are being stripped away.
Thanks for your service and thank you for this history lesson!
Thank you for your service. What we need to do is dismantle the entire government and fill it with veterans! Our best men and women come from the military as you put others before self. It is a shame that you can look through Congress and see 400 to 500 people that have become multi millionaires while making 100 to 200,000 a year or more. Some that are worth over 50-100 million on these salaries. It is both sides. Too many career politicians get in office and then only care about staying in office. Lets change it all!
have you seen proof of the 500 people with tremendous wealth ?? Did Musk or Trump document the allegation that people have accumulated tremendous wealth in moderate compensation government jobs? It may be possible by insider stock trading and using classified information for profit. The Trump administratuiom is order 500 million of armored Tesla Cybertrucks. They are one of the worst vehicles on the road
What about Trumps family making millions off the government! ? Ivanka getting China patents when barely any others are ? Jared kushner making billions in investments from Saudi Arabia ? What about Trump as president making the secret service stay at his hotels and charging more then double the rate ? Then Joe about Trump selling sneakers bibles and guitars ? Will Musk fire Trump and report that on Fox News and at a press conference? The New York Times is investigating Musk business with the government. Do you think Musk business dealings require oversight ? Trump is making it easier for government officials to take bribes I wonder why
Look at meek little Trump at Musk’s news conferences. Musk’s son picking his nose and Trump frowning.
Jack, would you have preferred Trump smiling while the Musk kid was picking his nose? Do you smile when people pick your nose? Have you ever seen the George Carlin skit on radioactive boogers?
Why wasn’t the dingbat (1970s expression) disciplined or fired himself? Did you have an older sister named Denise? Thankfully your story had a happy ending thanks to your perseverance. But I can’t imagine this dingbat kept his job with such high level individuals getting involved. One last question, did you grow up on Bauer Place?
Thank you so much for your service. Please send this letter to our elected officials in Washington. They should hear this important tale of heroism – fighting for what is right and just. My husband and I have sent them letters – we have to do all that we can.
Thank you for your comment and service. Please feel free to do all you can.
Duane
Tremendous determination and commitment. thank you. American people are sleep walking watching our phones and social media while Trunp Administration makes the USA an authoritarian country. Our rights are being removed. The inspector generals are fired. Consumer protection is being removed. Women’s rights were removed. We may loose the right to protest in the USA. it took Hitler 58 days to remove democracy
A story of a human being’s resilience in the face of pervasive, systemic government incompetence. I
Eric: why do you describe this situation as “pervasive, systemic government incompetence?”
Yes, the horrendous boss here was a government employee; but I imagine you know from even mutual friends of ours that there are horror stories involving bosses in the private sector as well.
But, beyond that, Duane’s situation was remedied thanks in large part to other government employees: the judge, for one, and the EEOC as well as stated by Duane.
I think you are overlooking too those who ultimately passed the disability laws Duane mentions which did not exist many years ago and I think most people would agree were an important step forward in our society.
Personally, I am very thankful that I had the career experience of working in the private sector, in government, and for a nonprofit. That’s why I am pro-business, pro-government, and pro-nonprofits while acknowledging shortcomings in each that can be worked on.
Last, but not least, Duane: I had no idea of your fascinating backstory. And thanks for sharing it here.
Hi Fred,
I think the events described by Mr. Cohen speak for themselves. He fell while on active naval service and IMO as his narrative related did not receive competent medical attention beyond what was probably a cursory examination by the ship’s doctor. Then he was “buck passed” from the navy to the postal service where he was subjected to repetitive instances of supervisory mistreatment. Yet he persevered. Where was the oversight? If it weren’t for Dan’s efforts to highlight stories of forgotten people we might never have heard about this.
Thank you Duane for your service. That said it appears that the EEOC is still up and running. In digging in a bit it also appears that each incoming administration installs their own people. Am I missing something?
What you are missing is that there are non-partisan jobs where long-time civil servants go about their jobs for the benefit of the American taxpayers without regard to political agendas.
The most egregious case has been the firing of the Inspector Generals in the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Health and Human Services, State, Education, Agriculture and Labor. These are non-partisan positions who have the job of being agency watchdogs, protecting taxpayers against waste, fraud, and abuse.
Effectively, the fox has said, “how can I protect the chickens if there is a watchdog guarding the coop?”
Sorry but Inspector Generals are not Civil Servants. They are political appointees. While nominally “non-partisan”, since they are generally replaced when a new administration takes over, there is usually some ideological bias.
they inspector generals typically work many years conducting audits and oversight. Many have worked for multiple administrations across the political spectrum. They are independent and free to make their own conclusions. Those days are over. 06880 and the USA are sleep walking toward authoritarian takeover by Trump. We may see Marshall law and perhaps the freedom to be protest removed. Women may loose more rights.
Damn Duane. Now I know why I won that fight!
This is an important personal and political story. The first Pres. Bush was the key to the adoption of the ADL. Now, Pres. Trump is violating our Federal civil service laws. Adherence to laws is crucial to our system of government. Make your voices heard, donate to the best causes and become engaged. For those who believe there are corrupt personnel. find them, prosecute them and dismiss them. Without law, our nation will collapse.
First of all, thank you for your service. Both as a veteran, and for your years as a letter carrier.
Your story is just one more cautionary tale of how disturbingly scary all the cuts to our Federal government currently being made are. Without the agencies that protect consumers, seniors, veterans, first responders and civil servants rights we are at the mercy of a handful of well healed individuals, who could care less about working/middle class people.
Duane, sorry you had to go through this. I remember you from Staples and we are “friends” now on FB . You are kinda like my new hero! Thank you! Again because you do so much !
Bullies never stop bullying.
Former EEOC intern 1968 here. “My agency.”
P.S. Watch out for the Great Trump Recession later this year!