Photo by Dean Moses Kew Gardens WWII veteran
receives top French honors
BY DEAN MOSES
Queens is full of heroes,
this much we have learned
over the past year thanks to
frontline workers going to
war against COVID-19.
However, 75 years ago
there was a very different
war being waged and a very
different Queens hero on the
front line.
World War II saw Irving
Goldstein travel to France
where he not only participated
in one of history’s greatest
conflicts, but where he
had a guiding hand in saving
lives and turning the tide of
battle.
Goldstein’s first key mission
involved dropping paratroopers
and reinforcements
in Normandy on D-Day. This
date, June 6, 1944, is world
renowned for the heroics
armed forces exhibited, aiding
in liberating France
from Nazi control and helping
end the war.
On the 75th anniversary
of that infamous day and
with the valor of all those
who fought in mind, French
Consul General Jérémie
Robert held a ceremony for
Goldstein in the courtyard
of Boulevard ALP Assisted
Living Community in Kew
Gardens on Oct. 1, pronouncing
the veteran a Knight in
the National Order of the
Legion of Honor. Known in
French as Chevalier dans
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.4 COM | OCT. 9-OCT. 15, 2020
l’Ordre National de la Légion
d’Honneur, it is the greatest
distinction the country can
bestow, not unlike a knighthood
in the United Kingdom.
“We are paying tribute
to Mr. Goldstein’s courage
during World War II, to his
bravery, and to express our
gratitude. We owe him our
freedom. We will never forget,”
said Consul General
Jérémie Robert.
The patio outside the care
facility was remodeled into a
makeshift auditorium where
socially distant chairs were
filled with prideful fellow
residents and family including,
sons, daughters and
grandchildren, marking the
first time they were able to
visit the beloved 99-year-old
since the start of the coronavirus
pandemic earlier this
year.
A sense of awe permeated
the area as the medal was
brought forth on a velvet pillow
and pinned to Goldstein’s
chest.
The Federation of French
War Veterans saluted and
displayed their homelands’
colors as a sign of respect
and appreciation while one
elderly soldier, Daniel Falgerho,
tossed aside his cane
with an audible clang in order
to immortalize the moment
with his camera. After
the commemoration concluded,
Goldstein’s extended family
flocked to his side to both
celebrate and congratulate
their loved one.
“Our countries have always
been very friendly and
helpful to each other. I got to
love the French people and
I really appreciate what the
consulate and French government
has done for me,”
said Goldstein.
After the ceremony,
the veteran became overwhelmed
with emotion.
While his family clung to
his side and Consul General
Jérémie Robert gripped a
shoulder in support, Goldstein’s
eyes welled with tears
and joy before adding: “This
medal, along with the remembrance
of World War II,
will live forever.”
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