22 THE QUEENS COURIER • JUNE 22, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
Doughboy Park and memorial plaza
in Woodside to get $750K renovation
BY ANGELA MATUA
amatua@qns.com / @AngelaMatua
A Woodside park named after
American infantrymen who served in
World War I will be getting a $750,000
renovation with money from the recently
announced city budget.
Doughboy Park, which is bounded by
Woodside Avenue, 52nd Street and 39th
Road, is a 1.71-acre park with a memorial statue
and plaza dedicated to those who served,
including 34 people who lived or worked in
Woodside who lost their lives on 9/11.
Th e money will help revitalize the
memorial statue, which depicts a World
War I-era infantryman or “doughboy”
with a bandage. Councilman Jimmy
Van Bramer, surrounded by war veterans,
announced the makeover on June
14 and added that the improvements
would come on the heels of the 100th
Anniversary of the end of World War 1.
Korean War Veteran Ed Bergendahl,
veterans from the Vietnam Veterans
of America Chapter 32 in Queens and
Catholic War Veterans Post #187 were
also in attendance.
“Doughboy Park is a sacred place in
the heart of Woodside to honor the sacrifi
ce of our brave service men and women
who fought on the front lines of war to
protect our freedom,” he said. “As we
approach the 100th anniversary of the
end of World War I next November, we
must honor our duty and responsibility
to maintain the dignity of this sacred
ground. Th is is a victory for our veterans
and for all who will enjoy the added beauty
and amenities of this great park right
here in Woodside.”
Th e park was offi cially dedicated in
1923 and has been through several renovations.
A restoration of the statue
Photo courtesy of Jimmy Van Bramer’s offi ce
occurred in 1990, and the plaza saw new
benches, fences and greenery in 2001.
On the fi ft h anniversary of the Sept. 11,
2001, attacks, a memorial plaque was dedicated
to 34 people from the neighborhood
who lost their lives.
Suozzi: Congress baseball game after mass shooting was ‘sobering’
BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI
smonteverdi@qns.com /
@smont76
Congressman Tom Suozzi said
he was humbled and moved to be
part of the annual Congressional
baseball game that took place
only a day aft er a gunman opened
fi re on several Republican colleagues
while they practiced at a
Virginia ballfi eld.
House Majority Whip Steve
Scalise of Louisiana was among
those seriously wounded on
June 14 by the gunman, James T.
Hodgkinson, 66, who was subsequently
shot by police and died
of his wounds. Scalise, who was
shot in the hip, suff ered critical
injuries and is still recovering at
an area hospital.
Suozzi said he and his fellow
teammates on the Democratic
Congressional team learned of
the tragedy at 7:30 a.m. that
morning as they practiced at Gallaudet
University in Washington, D.C.
“Aft er the initial shock, confi rmation of
the events, and being instructed by police
to shelter in place at the dugout, the
entire Democratic team circled together
and prayed for our Republican colleagues
and the other victims,” Suozzi said. “It
Members of the Democratic and Republican baseball teams pray for wounded Congressman Steve Scalise during the
June 15 Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
was very moving.”
Despite the tragic events, the game —
the 80th of the tradition dating back to
1909 — went on as planned the following
night at Nationals Park. Suozzi, who
was in the starting lineup as designated
hitter, said the event transcended politics
and baseball.
Photo courtesy of Congressman Tom Suozzi
“Aft er the shootings last Wednesday,
the game took on a more important
meaning, and the experience was truly
humbling,” the congressman said. “Since
day one I have talked about bipartisan
cooperation and civility. It’s a shame it
took a tragedy, but now it’s a part of the
national conversation.”
Prior to the game, lawmakers
knelt at second base, where
the injured Scalise was supposed
to play, in a show of bipartisan
unity, the congressman said.
Suozzi and others also sported
Louisiana State University (LSU)
gear in honor of Scalise, who
attended the school.
“It was a very emotional and
sobering week for all of us,”
Suozzi said. ‘I sincerely hope we
use this unique opportunity to
show the American people that
we’re here to try and get things
done — together as Americans.”
Th e annual game raised a
record $1.5 million for charity
and was attended by nearly
25,000 fans.
Th e Democrats won the game
11-2. Following their victory, the
Democrats gave this year’s trophy
to the Republicans to place
in Scalise’s offi ce until he recovers.
“I will continue to pray for Steve, the
injured offi cers and other victims, and
for our country,” Suozzi said. “We have
important work to do. Th e people are
sick of politics and politicians and we
need to work together on these life and
death issues and actually get things done
– together.”
Doughboy Park in Woodside will receive $750,000 worth of renovations.
