WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES NOVEMBER 18, 2021 3
Queens offi cials commemorate veterans at Elmhurst Park Vietnam Memorial
BY JULIA MORO
EDITORIAL@QNS.COM
@QNS
Local elected officials, including
Queens Borough President
Donovan Richards and District
Attorney Melinda Katz, gathered in
Elmhurst Park to host a veterans memorial
ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 10.
“Every night that I put my kids to
sleep safely in their beds, I thank all of
you that are here today,” Katz said. “We
take a moment to acknowledge those
men and women around the world that
makes sure we continue to be able to be
safe and sound in our homes. You will
never be forgotten.”
About 40 Vietnam veterans joined
the offi cials at the Queens Vietnam
Veterans Memorial in Elmhurst. Katz
said that she remembered the disrespect
many veterans dealt with upon
returning home aft er the war, as Vietnam
soldiers were looked down upon by
the anti-war movement, unlike World
War II veterans.
“That was a personal issue to me when
I became elected many years ago,” Katz
said. “I remember the men and women
coming home from Vietnam. I remember
what you all went through aft er
fi ghting for our country. It was imperative
for me to do something to show you
honor, respect and say, ‘Welcome home.'”
The Vietnam memorial was fully
funded by Katz, who was borough president
at the time and allocated over $2
million for the project.
Katz also referenced the vandalism
that defaced the memorial in June. The
graffiti painted swastikas over the
monument and referred to veterans as
“baby killers.”
“Many of us stood up here and made
sure folks realized this is a sacred site,
and we will not stand for it being vandalized,”
Katz said. “It must be treated
with respect.”
Richards co-sponsored the event to
thank veterans for their service and
promised to always remember veterans’
sacrifi ces.
“I have the freedom to run for offi ce
because of each and every one of you,”
Richards said. “When we talk about
democracy and our country, I know
there’s a lot of political polarization out
there, but bottom line, this is the greatest
country on the face of the Earth.”
Richards also mentioned Queens is
home to the largest population of veterans
in the entire city and will work
tirelessly to make sure they are getting
the care they need.
“We need to continue to work hard
to ensure the benefi ts you deserve you
are sorely getting,” Richards said. “We
should never have veterans sleeping on
our streets who paid the biggest price
and in many ways the ultimate sacrifi ce
for our country.”
State Senator Joseph Addabbo also
spoke to the services veterans need.
“I’m of the belief Veterans Day is
every day, not just one day of the year,”
Addabbo said. “It’s not enough just to say
‘thank you.’ As elected offi cials, we have
an obligation to address every single
issue that confronts a veteran of today.
Whether it be housing, mental health,
the suicide rate that must be addressed
— we have an obligation. That’s how you
say ‘thank you’ to a veteran.”
Katz and Richards also handed out
awards.
The ceremony closed with the audience
calling out names of fallen veterans
and a signal for taps.
Read more on QNS.com.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards at a veterans memorial
ceremony in Elmhurst Park on Nov. 10. Photo courtesy of QueensDAKatz/Twitter
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