BRONX TIMES REPORTER, J BTR UNE 4-10, 2021 45
GEORGE HAVRANEK
Memorial Day Memory
In 1969 a heartbreaking
event turneda seemingly typical
summer likeday into an
indelible memory for group
of neighborhood youngsters.
It was a warm June day in
1969; the usual casts of characters
were engaged in spirited
debated trying reach
an important decision. At
that moment everything was
subordinate to the youthful
choice of continuing an ongoing
whiffl e ball marathon
or traipsing into Pelham Bay
Park for a stickball game. In
the midst of this important
kids conference a military vehicle
turned the corner and
stopped in front of a nearby
residence. The sight of this
atypical occurrence caught
our full attention. The vehicle
doors swung open with
disciplined synchronization;
two decorated, impressive
looking USMC offi cers and a
priest exited the vehicle. Our
minds were awestruck and
mouths agape as the entourage
withdignifi ed style and
poiseproceeded toward a residence.
They passed the front
steps of a friend’s home; however,
feelings of relief quickly
disappeared whenan abrupt
military style right turn
brought them to the side entrance.
Within seconds, the
impassioned cries of a family’s
pain, anguish, and loss
powerfully echoed across
the soundscape and entered
our younginnocentminds.
We shortly learned the eldest
brother of achildhood friend
was killed in action in Vietnam.
In all likelihood this occurrence
was a fl eeting moment
from the perspective
of elapsed time; however, the
event has remained forever
etched in my mind.
Rest In Eternal Peace,
USMC Corporal George Francis
Landi: Killed in Action
June 8, 1969
In 1969, you were a hero in
the eyes of a group of thirteenyear
olds. Today, you remain
a hero in the hearts and minds
of now much older men. God
Bless you and all those that
made the ultimate sacrifi ce
in service to our great nation.
God Bless the Landi family;
over half-century has passed
but please know George Francis
Landi will alwaysbe remembered.
COMMUNITY FOOTNOTES:
The Spencer Estate
Civic Association will
meet Wednesday, June
16th7:30Pm @ Knights of
Columbus. Scheduled Keynote
Speaker: 45th Precinct
Captain Isaac Soberal
All area homeowners and
renters are invited to join us
in the quest to maintain our
neighborhoods’ quality of life.
If we want to keep and reap
the blessings of our fi ne quality
of life, we must endure
the fatigue of supporting it.
Community=Common-Unity
Remember: Inclusion
Brings Solutions
BY JOE MONDELLO
Greetings from Post #620!
Hope all our members, and
our veteran’s community are
staying healthy. On Friday
June 4th, between the hours
of 10AM – 2PM, the Bronx VA
Mobile Van will be outside
our door providing COVID-19
Vaccines. If you are a veteran
interested in getting the vaccine,
stop by. You can also
bring along your spouse, or
caregiver. Our Post doors will
be open to assist. Also on Friday
June 4th The Sam Young
Post will be hosting the annual
Bronx County American
Legion Convention. Join us
in congratulating our newly
elected County Offi cers. All
members are welcome to attend.
On Sunday June 6th at
1PM we will conduct a ceremony
remembering the Allied
invasion of Normandy in
Operation Overlord during
World War II, aka D-Day. Following
the ceremony, our
Post, SAL, and Boosters will
install their newly elected offi
cers to their positions.
Post Commander
Owen thanks all those who
came out in the rain to attended
and support the SAL
Memorial Day BBQ. Good
crowd, good food, good music
and a great time. A big thank
you to SAL Commander
Pat Mahon, job well done. If
you’re a veteran reading this
and don’t belong to the American
Legion, I ask you why?
Recently a young man in fatigues
was walking past the
Post .We called him over and
asked if he was in the service,
Yes he said USMC. I said you
know what this building is?
He answered no, But I see you
have the Marine Corp emblem
on your wall. We invited him
into the building and gave
him a tour. We explained who
we are and what we do as a
veteran organization. He was
impressed. Remember, we
are here for all service members
and veterans. Join the
mission. Until next week, as
the month of May comes to a
close, keep in mind the memories
of all those who sacrifi
ced their life, never making
it home, So that you can enjoy
your freedom.
CIVIC CENTER
Spencer Estate Civic
Association
CIVIC CENTER
Samuel Young
Post 620
BY AL D’ANGELO
Memorial Day – a time to
remember those who paid
the ultimate sacrifi ce for our
country. As I listened to the
speeches, my mind went to
another place; it went to Bunker
Hill (Breeds Hill), it went
to the Argonne Forest, Chosin
Reservoir, the beaches
of Normandy, Khe Sanh, the
deserts of Iraq, the mountains
of Afghanistan and the
young Americans who would
never see this country again.
There are Americans buried
in 10 foreign countries as
well as the USA, each draped
with an American Flag.
More than 1.2 million young
soldiers would never return
to their homes. Mothers and
fathers lost children, wives
lost husbands, brothers and
sisters lost siblings and lives
have been altered forever.
They served; all colors and
creeds fought despite the bigotry
and prejudices they had
to endure. They fought for the
greatest country in the world
– one which held the promise
of a brighter future. They
rose every morning to watch
their fl ag raised and watched
it lowered at the close of each
day. The same fl ag which
adorned their fi nal resting
place. Please remember these
young warriors each time we
lay our heads on our pillows
at bedtime.
A special thanks to Silvio
Mazzella, who has been
the driving force behind the
Veterans Day and Memorial
Day remembrances at
Peace Plaza, at 11:00 every
year. The time signifi es the
signing of the armistice that
ended WW I. It was signed at
the 11th hour, of the 11th day,
of the 11th month of 1918.
Congressman Mark Gjonaj
presented a citation to Silvio’s
wife and son in recognition
for his service to the veterans
and the community.
CIVIC CENTER
Morris Park
Community
Association
Health and safety, fall 2021
reopening, and the allocation of
government funds for education
in New York City are some of the
current topics of focus for the
New York City Department of Education
(DOE). BronxNet viewers
will have the opportunity
to hear directly from New York
City Schools Chancellor Meisha
Porter as well as their own Bronx
neighbors, about ideas, needs
and plans concerning those and
other educational issues, during
the live broadcast of DOE’s special
forum on BronxNet.
The Bronx-specifi c forum,
part of the DOE’s fi ve-borough
conversation series, will be
broadcast live on June 9, from
6:30pm to 8pm on BronxNet CH
70 Optimum / 2136 Fios and at
bronxnet.tv.
The DOE is encouraging
Bronx families to participate
in the forum and providing opportunities
for Bronx residents
to submit questions in advance,
prior to the live event.
“As we plan ahead for the
fall, my top priority is engaging
with families across the city and
lifting up parent voices to ensure
everyone has a seat at the table
during this pivotal moment,”
said Schools Chancellor Meisha
Porter. “I look forward to hearing
from our Bronx communities
during the upcoming forum and
encourage all families to participate!”
DOE Deputy Chancellor Adrienne
Austin commented, “We
are really excited about hearing
from Bronx families and school
communities about their “wish
lists” for New York City schools
in the fall. Additional federal
stimulus and state foundation aid
funding is providing DOE with
the unique opportunity to make
unprecedented investments in
academic learning, S.T.E.A.M.,
extra-curricular activities, early
education and more. We look forward
to partnering with communities,
so that we can make our
classrooms and schools come
alive in the fall.”
“BronxNet TV’s broadcast of
DOE’s Conversation with Chancellor
Porter – Spring Forum in
the Bronx represents our commitment
to disseminating vital
information and supporting
educational advancement. We
are proud to work with the DOE,
Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter,
and Bronx school communities
to broadcast this forum, the
Bronx Edulution, as well as other
content that keeps our Bronx and
New York City students achieving
and thriving,” said BronxNet
Executive Director Michael Max
Knobbe.
Bronxites interested in participating
in the forum may register
at: https://learndoe.org/
chancellor/
BronxNet is the independent,
not-for-profi t, organization serving
the people of the Bronx with
media production training, access
to technology, and television
channels. BronxNet programs
six channels - 33, 34, 35, 36, 37,
and 38 on the Verizon Fios system
and six channels - 67, 68, 69,
70, 951, and 952 - on the Optimum
system in the Bronx. BronxNet’s
ultra-local programming helps
connect the Bronx with the world
while our training programs and
partnerships are a part of community
development through
media. For more information
visit: www.bronxnet.org
COMMUNITY
FORUM WITH
SCHOOLS
CHANCELLOR
MEISHA
PORTER ON
BRONXNET
VISIT US AT BXTIMES.COM
/
/www.bronxnet.org
/
/www.bronxnet.org
/BXTIMES.COM