By Nelson A. King
Brooklyn Sen. Zellnor Y.
Myrie on Veteran’s Day inducted
Brownsville resident Jestine
Roper into the New York Senate
Veterans’ Hall of Fame.
“It is my honor to present
this award to Jestine Roper, who
has not only served our country
in the Armed Forces but
also serves our local community,”
said Myrie, who represents
the 20th Senatorial District.
“Ms. Roper served for 30 years
in the US Army, and continues
to uplift young people and seniors
in Brownsville with environmental
education programming.
“I am proud to represent Ms.
Roper and all the other veterans
across our district whose
contributions we honor today,”
added Myrie, whose grandmother
hailed from Jamaica.
Roper retired from the Army
as chief warrant officer 3.
During her service in the
military, she held various
positions, including Telecommunication
Center Operator,
Army Communication Security
Officer, Army Motor Pool
Officer and the Company Commander
for Annual Training.
Her units included 99th Signal
Battalion (Floyd Bennett
Field, Brooklyn); 343rd Combat
Support Hospital (Fort Hamilton,
Brooklyn); and 344th
Combat Support Hospital (Fort
Totten, Queens).
After graduate school, Roper
received her Master of Social
Work and became a licensed
clinical social worker.
She worked in social work
with the Board of Education
and various nonprofit organizations
for over 40 years.
Myrie said Roper focuses on
working with children, families
and special education students
as a play therapist within day
care centers and Board of Education
programs/schools.
Roper is the founder/director
of JES Good Rewards, Inc./
Children’s Garden, a Brownsville
community green thumb
garden, focusing on providing
environmental education
programs for children, youth,
adults, seniors and community
schools.
JES Good Rewards, Inc./
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Children’s Garden is also
a GreenThumb Leadership
Council and Summer Youth
Employment work site for several
providers in Brooklyn and
Queens.
The organization also
provide community events
throughout the year.
Currently, Roper is a member
of Community Board #16
Veterans Affair Committee.
Myrie said she was very
instrumental in the success
of the first Annual Veterans
Appreciation Day Parade, in
November 2019, in partnership
with Community Board #3.
She collaborated with several
military commands, community
and youth organizations,
bands, veterans organizations
and senior programs — all participants
in the parade.
Myrie said Roper has “a passion
for working with people
and advocating on behalf of
children, youth families and
veterans.
“By utilizing her interpersonal
skills, she has proven to
accomplish whatever she sets
out to do,” he said. “Therefore,
Sen. Zellnor Y. Myrie inducts Brownsville resident, Jestine
Roper into New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame.
Offi ce of Sen. Zellnor Y. Myrie
she will continue to work diligently,
ensuring that her community
receives their fair share
of resources.”
Roper is the mother of three
boys and has been a resident
of Brownsville for more than
50 years.
Myrie inducts Brownsville resident
into NY Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame
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