DCMA leader delivers Memorial Day keynote address

DCMA leader delivers Memorial Day keynote address

By Army Reserve Lt. Col. Jason Ruth DCMA Enterprise Analytics & Modernization

Army Reserve Col. Albert Chin, a quality assurance supervisor for Defense Contract Management Agency Northeast in Hartford, Connecticut, delivered a poignant keynote address at the annual Glastonbury Memorial Day Ceremony at Glastonbury High School May 25.

Chin spoke about service, sacrifice, and the enduring meaning of the holiday as he addressed local residents, veterans, and Gold Star families. The audience included the families of some of the town's fallen heroes: Army Pfc. Jeffrey Braun, Army Sgt. Steven DeLuzio, and Marine Cpl. Dustin Fitzpatrick.

Chin emphasized that Memorial Day belongs to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"I served alongside extraordinary Americans - men and women who faced danger with quiet resolve and upheld the values we celebrate," he said. "Memorial Day is not about the unofficial start of summer. It is about the empty seat at a family table. It is about the folded flag handed to a parent, a spouse or a child."

Chin, who also serves as the senior service lead for the DCMA Army Individual Mobilization Augmentee program, began his military career in 1991, enlisting in the Army after Operation Desert Storm. After training as a combat medic, he pursued his civilian education. He earned a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering and a master's in business administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute based in Troy, New York.

As a civil affairs lieutenant, Chin was mobilized for Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003 to 2004, where he coordinated critical reconstruction projects in Tikrit and Baqubah. He later commanded a team at a forward operating base Paliwoda, also known as Camp Paliwoda, in honor of his fallen comrade, Army Capt. Eric Paliwoda, who died at 28 years old in 2004. For his meritorious service in a combat zone, Chin was awarded the Bronze Star in 2004.

Glastonbury has a deep-rooted military legacy, with a community of over 1,600 veterans. Chin noted that the tradition of selfless service predates the nation itself, stating, "The story of American sacrifice is older than America itself."

In closing, he paid special tribute to the Gold Star families in attendance.

"To the Gold Star families sitting among us, your strength humbles us," Chin said. "We know that for you, Memorial Day is not just a single date on the calendar, it is every morning you wake up. Your loved ones gave everything for this nation, and your presence today is deeply felt."

In addition to Chin, Gold Star mothers spoke during the ceremony and the names of all service members from Glastonbury who died while serving their country were read. A parade was held before the event.

DCMA Northeast, which is led by Navy Capt. Scott Wallace, is a part of the Geographic & Systems Support Command. As a QA supervisor within GSS, Chin leads 11 quality assurance specialists, who are responsible for the technical oversight of more than 50 contractors in the eastern part of Connecticut.

"Our team's workload is as varied as it is vital," said Chin. "We ensure quality and mission readiness for critical aerospace and defense programs. From the factory floor to the frontline, our portfolio supports major platforms including NASA's Artemis II, the F135 turbofan and F-100 Super Sabre engine programs, C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules, UH-60 Blackhawk, LM2500 gas turbine powerplant system, and both the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter programs. We take pride in ensuring quality parts are delivered to the warfighter."

As the senior service lead for the agency's Army mobilization augmentee program, Chin works closely with Air Force Col. James Stephenson, senior military assistant to the DCMA director, and Air Force Col. Ricardo Garcia, director of military personnel.

"In this capacity, I provide strategic guidance and operational expertise to enhance the collaboration between our military and civilian leadership," said Chin. "My focus is on facilitating communication and integrating military resources into agency initiatives. This directly contributes to strategic planning and operational readiness in alignment with various DCMA priorities. Additionally, I support the recruitment and hiring of soldiers into the IMA program, which ensures we bring in top military talent into DCMA to sustain our mission objectives."

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