FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 • THE COURIER SUN 19 oped FOR MORE NEWS VISIT QNS.COM letters & comments SEPARATE GUARDS & PRISONERS BY GENDER, READER SAYS For years I’ve been telling our elected leaders (especially after last year’s escape from the Upstate Clinton Facility) that common sense tells us that inmates should not have contact with correctional employees of the opposite sex since it can lead to awkward and potentially dangerous, deadly situations. But our elected idiots do nothing about it since it would be “politically incorrect” to institute such a policy. Another case has arisen recently in which Jacqueline Healy, a former prisoner at Rikers Island, has admitted to a sexual relationship with a male correction offi cer and has accused another offi cer of rape. This past winter, a male inmate violently attacked a female prison guard and it was feared he would kill her. The reason she survived is that another prisoner came to her rescue. When will we learn? When will our elected mayor and, for that matter, all of the elected offi cials and those experts appointed responsible for making these decisions wake up? When will common sense prevail? Unfortunately, I know the answer: Never. Thomas Murawski, Glendale WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER THE VICTIMS OF 9/11 I’ve had discussions with several people who mention that, on the 15th anniversary of 9/11, we need to move on and not to make such a fuss on that day. Should we? I think we should. We lost 3,000 people on that day of infamy. These terrorists hit the mainland on Sept. 11, 2001, with New York City and Washington, D.C., having the worst deaths. How does one forget brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, neighbors, friends and coworkers? It is said when you forget history you are doomed to repeat it. Now, on this 15th anniversary of 9/11, also known as Patriot Day, I ask all to remember all those who have died on that day with your prayers. I also ask all that can to fl y or display the American fl ag from home and offi ce as an act of respect and to honor all those who passed away on that day by those with evil intent. Let us also not to forget the fi rst responders who aided in the clean up and to search for those that might have survived. Now many of these fi rst responders have died and many more are sick and are dying. All those who came to the aid of our country and tried to help need to be remembered as well. May God bless all these and their families who cannot forget all those that came, saw and tried to help. Frederick R. Bedell Jr., Glen Oaks Village NO FAITH IN NEW CATHOLIC SCHOOL GOVERNANCE MODEL Regarding the conversion of Sacred Heart School in Glendale into Sacred Heart Catholic Academy: What has the success been for Notre Dame Catholic Academy (formerly, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal) in Ridgewood? I have “0” faith in the Catholic schools being run by a board of directors. I can only hope that those on the board are all extremely devout Catholics whose interest is in Formation. QNS user Christian Belena BRAVEST WILL A LOOK BACK ALWAYS FLY OLD GLORY WITH PRIDE BY JAMES A. LEMONDA It is unfortunate that so close to the 15th Anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, there are fi refi ghters in the town of Poughkeepsie that have to fi ght and negotiate to place American fl ags on their fi re apparatus. While the controversy in the upstate community has now largely been settled, I’m not surprised that there are still people from all across our country who are still upset with what happened. Public outcry is understandable, given that our nation’s brave men and women who choose to serve the public and risk their lives each and every day as fi refi ghters do so because they love their neighbors, their communities and their country. It’s equally upsetting and disgraceful that anyone would claim that an American fl ag could be seen as a “distraction.” We support our brothers and sisters just up the Hudson River to proudly display their affection and commitment to our nation, especially right before they are asked to perform life-saving operations, such as running into a burning buildings to save lives. The American fl ag has, for hundreds of years, served as a point of pride and has given a sense of inspiration and courage to those who are about to throw themselves into harm’s way. Our fl ag can have many different meanings, depending on who is looking at it, but for our fi rst responders, it’s just as important to their job as any other tool in their kit. The power of symbolism should never be dismissed or trivialized, which is why in New York City we proudly support and defend our fi rst responders’ rights to proudly adorn their fi rehouses and fi re apparatus with the American fl ag. I will say, however, that I am happy to be living in a country where we can freely express our anguish and frustration over matters such as theses and are allowed to engage in vigorous debate over its merits. It’s just another reason why many of our brave men and women who serve in the FDNY proudly display the American fl ag wherever they go. Battalion Chief James A. Lemonda is the current president of the Uniformed Fire Offi cers Association, representing more than 2,600 active and 4,600 retired men and women. UFOA members are lieutenants, captains, battalion and deputy chiefs, medical offi cers, and supervising fi re marshals of the New York City Fire Department. The FDNY serves more than 8 million residents. This 1920s photo shows construction along St. Nicholas Avenue looking north toward Palmetto Street in Ridgewood. The building with the curved roof at right is the former Ridgewood Grove Arena, which in its heyday was the home to many boxing and wrestling events. The former arena has since been converted into a billiards hall and buffet restaurant. Send us your historic photos of Queens by sharing them on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/qns, emailing them to editorial@qns.com, or mailing printed pictures to The Queens Courier, 38-15 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361. All mailed pictures will be carefully returned to you.
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