FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MAY 21, 2020 • THE QUEENS COURIER 25
oped letters & comments
THE IMPORTANCE
OF CELEBRATING
MEMORIAL DAY
Th is Memorial Day, because of the
COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no
Memorial Day parades, which I fi nd sad.
I served in the United States Navy
during the Vietnam era and am a member
of the American Legion Post #103,
Grand Knight of St. Anastasia Knights of
Columbus in Douglaston and the Queens
Village Republican Club.
I believe that Memorial Day is an
important holiday when everyone can
honor our brave men and women who
gave their lives so this nation can remain
free. Let us also salute our brave men
and women who are now serving today
to protect these freedoms as they serve
in Afghanistan, in Iraq and elsewhere in
the world.
What also comes to mind is the war on
terrorism, which has changed our country
since the attacks upon us on Sept. 11,
2001. It is something that must be rooted
out.
As Memorial Day draws near, I fi nd
myself thinking what it means to be an
American. Th e answer is the pride in
being in a country that allows us our personal
freedom and the ability to speak
our minds. We may not have the best system,
but it is still the greatest in the world.
Th is freedom does not come without a
price. It comes with great personal sacrifi
ce and devotion to duty.
Like President John F. Kennedy said,
“Ask not what your country can do for
you but what you can do for your country.”
Aft er this pandemic is over, remember
we have a great opportunity to do for
others, which we can do by volunteering
our time to various organizations and
our local churches or temples. Th ere will
be plenty of people with needs. By helping
them, we can make America stronger.
So, while there will not be any Memorial
Day parades this year, we still can say a
prayer for all those serving our country
today and that is our brave men and
women in the military.
We also should off er prayers for all
those serving and protecting us in our
communities like our doctors, nurses,
EMS workers, fi refi ghters and those in
our police departments.
So, be all you can be by serving in our
communities and remember this: Let’s
not forget the true meaning of Memorial
Day and fl y the American Flag if you can.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.,
Glen Oaks Village
BE MINDFUL OF
YOUR NEIGHBORS IF
YOU GO OUTSIDE
For the past two months, our lives
have radically deviated from the
norm. Most of us have either lost
their jobs or are working from home.
We all need to be thankful to the
essential workers who are out there
in the battlefi eld providing us with
the necessities of life and protecting
us from harm. Th ank you policemen,
fi remen, health care workers,
mailmen, truck drivers delivering
food to stores, cashiers and everyone
else who with caution heads out to
supply us with necessities.
During a crisis, we need to be
mindful of our neighbors. Th ere are
people who don’t want their freedom
limited and, even though they don’t
need to go outside, choose to do so.
Th at’s fi ne, but please take the necessary
precautions: wearing a mask
and gloves, staying six feet apart, and
frequently washing hands.
Please understand that the medical
profession doesn’t know enough
about this novel, deadly virus and
taking these precautions could help
save lives, maybe your own or that of
a dear family member.
It is amazing to me how many people
are going outside unprotected as
if they are invincible. Unfortunately,
this puts so much fear into some of
their neighbors who are now afraid
to leave their house/apartment even
to get necessities such as medication,
mail or groceries.
Because the fearless people are
going outside as if there’s no pandemic,
another part of the population
hasn’t gotten fresh air in over
two months and likely won’t until
this pandemic is over. Th is can present
other health problems: lack of
exercise, lack of Vitamin D — which
we get from the sun — and depression
from being isolated. Th is pandemic
is not only messing with people’s
physical health but their emotional
and spiritual health, as well.
Everyone has their own needs and
mindset — some people need to go
outside, and that’s fi ne. No one wants
to limit your freedom, but please
wear a mask and gloves and practice
social distancing. Please realize that
when you don’t, it causes so much
fear in your neighbors who are then
too scared to leave their apartment.
We are all suff ering. Medical professionals
are working hard to fi nd
the answers and new information
is discovered every day. Please be
aware of the emotional toll this is
having in our neighborhood.
We are all in this together; all of
our lives have been disrupted. Th is
may seem endless, but with compassion
and consideration for our
neighbors, this will hopefully end
sooner than later.
Debbie Vogel, Rego Park
MAKE SURE TO LAUGH
DURING THESE
TOUGH TIMES
Wearing my mask as I should, I
took a drive with my wife Angela to
run a few errands and took my coffee
with me. At one stop, she got out
to go into the post offi ce. I picked up
my travel coff ee mug, put it up to my
mouth to take a sip, and realized I
still had the mask on! AGGHH!
Mike Castellano, New Hyde Park
Be a hero by wearing
your mask in public
BY PHILLIP ENG
Doctors. Nurses.
Transportation
workers. Grocery
and pharmacy
staff . And you.
What do we all
have in common?
Yes, some of us are
heroes and others of us mere mortals, but
we all can do our part in overcoming this
crisis.
We know that there’s no proven playbook
for this. But we also know there are
things that work: Washing your hands.
Using hand sanitizer. Staying home unless
you absolutely need to travel. Feeling sick?
Stay home.
Now we need everyone to go one step
further: When you’re on public transportation,
you must wear a face covering.
Th at’s an order from the governor. It’s
important. It can be a mask, a bandana, a
scarf. Whatever kind of cloth it is, it must
cover your mouth and nose and it must
stay there for the entire duration of your
trip. If you’re at a station or on a platform,
wear it there, too.
As we all prepare for what’s to come
next, we must embrace this necessary part
of public health and safety. And it’s up to
all of us to play our part.
For the LIRR, that means keeping up
with increased disinfecting of our stations
— right now we’re getting to each
of our 124 stations twice per day. Train
cars are also getting increased attention:
round-the-clock eff orts are getting to our
entire fl eet of more than 1,000 train cars
each day.
We do this to meet our goal of giving
riders as much comfort as possible
when they need to use our system to get
to their jobs. Th is is a dynamic situation,
and we’ve all been forced to be dynamic
along with it.
But we can’t be reckless, and we can’t let
the virus get ahead again. It’s more important
than ever that we show and share compassion
for one another. While we all may
be aff ected by this virus in diff erent ways,
we must remember the importance of
community and watch out for each other.
Long Island, NYC, and the entire region
will undoubtedly be changed — but we’re
doing everything we can to ensure that our
customers and employees feel safe when
it’s time to reopen. While we come up with
a blueprint for future service, we ask that
you continue to do your part by wearing
a mask and practicing good hygiene. Th e
future of our region depends on how we
act. Let’s do so responsibly and with care.
During times of great stress and uncertainty,
we all need to practice more
patience with ourselves and with each
other. But as we see the curve continue to
fl atten, this gives me confi dence that New
York will rebound — stronger and more
resilient than ever before.
Phillip Eng is president of the Long
Island Rail Road.
A TRIP TO GANTRY PARK/HUNTERS POINT IN LIC //
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY TOURGUIDEBUDDZ
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