4 THE QUEENS COURIER • JUNE 3, 2021 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
Forest Hills ceremony honors fallen soldiers
BY GABRIELE HOLTERMANN
editorial@qns.com
@QNS
For the second year in a row, the traditional
Forest Hills Memorial Day parade
was canceled due to COVID-19 regulations.
Instead, the Forest Hills American
Legion Continental Post #1424 held a
Memorial Day Weekend ceremony on
May 30 at the Remsen Family Cemetery
on Trotting Course Lane in Forest Hills to
honor the military women and men who
made the ultimate sacrifi ce while serving
their country.
Post Commander Michael Arcati, a former
Navy offi cer, opened the ceremony
in front of about 100 veterans, community
members and elected offi cials who had
gathered despite the cold, rainy weather
that matched the somber tone of the
occasion. Arcati said that Memorial Day
is a day to remember and refl ect on
those “who gave their lives for God and
country.”
“By all of you attending today, you’re
partaking in a vital ceremony to recognize
the great Americans who made the
ultimate sacrifi ce to maintain our freedom
and democracy,” Arcati said before
expressing that the ceremony was also a
celebration of Forest Hills’ diversity and a
salute to the fi rst responders who led the
community “through the dark days of the
COVID crisis when we cannot leave our
homes, and death surrounded us.”
Following the presentation of the colors
by the Francis Lewis High School Army
Junior ROTC Color Guard, the Pledge
of Allegiance and the National Anthem
performed by Abby Payne, Rev. Frank
Schwarz, the pastor of Our Lady of Mercy,
led the guests in prayer.
Vice Commander Pat Conley introduced
this year’s commemoration honorees,
who were acknowledged for their contribution
to the Forest Hills Community.
NYPD Capt. Joseph Cappelmann, commanding
offi cer of the 112th Precinct,
received the Law and Order award.
Cappelmann said he was humbled to
accept the award on behalf of the 112th
Precinct. He said that Forest Hills and
Rego Park are among the safest neighborhoods
in New York City because of the
close relationship between the 112th
Precinct and the community.
“We always say policing
is a shared responsibility.
It truly is. We really
need the community
and
the police
to work
together
in order
to be succ
e s s f u l ,”
Cappelmann
said.
But Cappelman also
stressed that everyone “must
really not forget why we are
here today.”
“We’re here to honor all the
servicemen and servicewomen
who gave their lives to defend our
Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa attends the wreath-laying ceremony in Forest Hills.
nation and our freedom. Th ey are the true
heroes. Without them, we would not be
able to enjoy our freedoms that we take
for granted,” Cappelmann said.
Bob Simpson, the Adjutant of American
Legion Continental Post #1424 and a
recipient of three Purple Hearts, received
the Veteran Honoree commemoration
award. Simpson said it was a great
honor to receive the award while he was
a veteran “who is still breathing and
standing.”
“Someone once said that death is not
fi nal until you are forgotten,” Simpson
said. “While I breathe, all of you will live
on. And your sacrifi ces for our freedom
will be remembered. I salute all those
brothers and sisters who fought for us,
didn’t come back. Semper Fi!”
Th is year, Post #1424 also recognized
the sacrifi ces frontline workers made
during the COVID-19 pandemic and
rewarded Dr. Teresa Amato with the
First Responder award.
Amato thanked
the American
Legion on behalf of
Northwell Health
for the recognition
and shared that, in
partnership with
LIJ Forest Hills
Hospital, the health
care facilities saved
more than 1,000
COVID-19
patients.
Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
She also said the pandemic made it evident
that saving lives is a team eff ort.
“We may celebrate those victories,
but it’s also proper to remember those
who perished during the pandemic. And
on this Memorial Day, remember and
mourn those in our armed services who
gave the ultimate sacrifi ce and also celebrate
their memories,” Amato said.
Heidi Chain, the president of the 112th
Precinct Community Council, was honored
with the Civilian Community
Service award.
Chain, who serves as a liaison between
the New York Police Department and
residents to address safety issues and
other problems, said it was essential to
gather despite COVID-19 and pay tribute
to the service members who gave
their lives for their country.
“Although the method that we provide
a tribute has changed due to COVID, the
fact that we pay tribute is the
most important,” Chain said.
Congresswoman Grace
Meng, state Senator Joseph
Addabbo, Queens Borough
President Donovan Richards,
and Councilman Robert
Holden expressed that it was
of utmost importance to provide
veterans with the care and
funds they need and address
homelessness, mental
health, and taking
care of
Vietnam veterans
suff ering from Agent Orangerelated
illnesses.
“We continue to fi ght, and that is just
one simple way that we can gather and
say ‘thank you so much’ to those who
paid the ultimate sacrifi ce for the best
country in the world,” Meng said.
Addabbo, a member of the Veterans,
Homeland Security, and Military Aff airs
Committee, said it is his responsibility to
address veterans’ issues.
“Th at is our obligation as elected offi -
cials. We are owed to do that. Th ey
deserve that service. To all the veterans
here, to all those who made the ultimate
sacrifi ce, thank you so much,” Addabbo
said.
Richards saluted the men and women
who selfl essly protected the United
States in the face of danger “to ensure
that we as Americans can enjoy the freedoms
we have.”
Th e ceremony included the presentation
of three memorial wreaths. Th e
Continental Post #1424 wreath was presented
by Simpson and Cappelmann.
Sandy Luongo presented the Auxiliary
Post 1424 wreath. Chain and Amato presented
a wreath on behalf of Gold Star
families.
Arcati thanked the the volunteer
Forest Hill Ambulance Corps for their
service, particularly during the height of
the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Th ank you for your sacrifi ce to the
community during the pandemic. We
salute you,” Arcati said.
Brian Frisbee somberly read the names
of the 11 members of the Forest Hills
American Legion Continental Post
#1424 who died during the past year,
some due to COVID-19.
A bell toll rang aft er each of the following
names to honor their memory:
• George Adams, U.S. Army
• John Burns, U.S. Navy
• Joseph Carl, U.S. Air Force
• Frederick Eckert, U.S. Army
• Arthur Friedman, U.S. Air Force
• Anthony Falconiere, U.S. Marine
Corps
• George Gniocchhio, U.S. Marine
Corps
• Joseph Hennessy, U.S. Army
• John Severa, U.S. Marine
Corps
• Michael Stepanek, U.S.
Army
• Tracy McManus, Auxiliary
Member, Post #1424
Th e ceremony concluded
with trumpeter
Jordan Sandke
playing Taps
and Abby
Payne singing
“God Bless
LEFT: A U.S. Navy service America.”
member stands in salute
during the rendition of
the National Anthem.
RIGHT: Honoree NYPD
Captain Joseph
Cappelmann speaks
at the wreath-laying
ceremony in Forest
Hills.
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