'We Remember': A Moving Veterans Day 2019 Ceremony In Carroll Park

Friend of Carroll Park's Bruce McDonald

Assemblywoman JoAnne Simon, Jerry Armer, Community Affairs, 76 Pct. Community Affairs, PO Joe Gonzalez, 76 Pct. Community Affairs Det. Vincent Marrone and Councilmember Brad Lander

Councilmember Brad Lander

Carol Rembert with a photo of her husband, who served in Vietnam

The Veterans Day Ceremony in Carroll Park yesterday was a wonderful way for the Carroll Gardens community to remember and honor those who have served in the military.  It was deeply moving and especially wonderful to see so many young children involved in the ceremony as they listened attentively to the speeches of some of our neighborhood veterans.

As in years past, the event was organized by the Court Street and Smith Street Business Associations and Friends of Carroll Park.

Bruce McDonald of Friends of Carroll Park served as master of ceremony. He included some sobering statistics about United States veterans in his speech.
- According to the nonprofit group Feed Our Vets, more than 130,000 Veterans are homeless and hungry on any given night in America. One in three homeless people in America is a U.S. Military Veteran. And nearly four million Veterans and their families don’t have enough to eat during the year. [https://feedourvets.org/about-fov]

- Nearly 1.5 million veterans live in households that completely rely on SNAP benefits, including 23,000 active duty service members. The current administration’s federal budget proposed cutting $200 billion from SNAP, which could affect benefits for 400,000 veterans. [https://www.moveforhunger.org/why-are-so-many-veterans-food-insecure/]

- More than half of children in Pentagon-run schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch — indicating their families are struggling to provide food, according to the Department of Defense. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/10/09/why-so-many-veterans-go-hungry-and-the-vas-new-plan-to-fix-it/]

- The Federal Government attempted to cut food stamp programs three times in the past year [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/04/us/politics/trump-food-stamp-cuts.html]

- 1.2 million people in New York City face hunger every year, including one in five children [https://www.cityharvest.org/facts-about-hunger/]

We should all remember these statistics, especially going into the holiday season. Friends of Carroll Park will be collecting goods for its yearly City Harvest holiday food drive every Saturday in December at the Robert Acito park house. Please help generously by contributing canned goods.

  

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Please Take Time To Attend The Veterans Day Ceremony In Carroll Park This Sunday

As in years past, the Court Street and Smith Street Business Associations and Friends of Carroll Park will be hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony in Carroll Park this coming Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 11 AM in front of the Word War 1 Memorial.

Now, it seems more important than ever to come together as a community, to learn from the past,  and to honor the service and sacrifice of our Veterans.

The ceremony is always deeply moving, so bring the kids and teach them a bit about the significance of this national Holiday. And perhaps, take the opportunity to introduce them to one of our neighborhood veterans in attendance.

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How Disrespectful! Someone Graffitied Carroll Park's World War One Memorial

The stenciled graffiti of a "Scream" mask on one of the bronze plaques of the Carroll Park World War 1 Memorial in Carroll Gardens must be a new low.  Yes, our park has seen its fair share of graffiti over the years, but defacing a memorial dedicated to those who sacrificed their lives in the service of this country, is so very wrong.
The vandal probably had no idea what the monument stands for, which makes it even sadder.

Here is a bit of a history lesson, so that we may all appreciate the memorial's significance. To parents, please explain to your children that this is NOT o.k. And that starts with scribbling on the memorial with chalk.

From New York City's Parks Department web site:
"The monument consists of an 18-foot tall pink granite stele to which are mounted front and back bronze bas-reliefs of soldiers and sailors, crafted by Brooklyn-born sculptor Eugene H. Morahan (1869-1949). On either side are bronze honor rolls listing those who paid the supreme sacrifice for their country. The frontal image represents a soldier mourning his slain comrades while the rear composition’s central motif is that of a sailor on watch.
A gift to the City, the monument was commissioned by a local committee at a cost of $9,000 and dedicated in 1921. In 1994, as part of a $1.3 million upgrade of Carroll Park and playground, the monument, its sculptural reliefs, and commemorative plaques were fully restored."

I encourage everyone to attend this year's Veterans Day Ceremony in Carroll Park scheduled for November 11 at 11 o'clock.  Not only is the annual ceremony deeply moving, it provides a teachable moment for our children.

Most importantly, let us respect the memory of those who came before us.

***UPDATE: Friday afternoon***
PMFA just received the email bellow from Matt Mazzone of Mazzone Hardware.
"Just saw your article regarding the monument – I can’t express in words how troubling it is that someone could do something with so little regard for what that monument stands for.

I immediately sent over one of our staff members with some “Anti – Graffiti” wipes to see if the fresh paint would easily come off. It appears most of it is/will come off with the wipes. With our Pumpkinfest fast approaching tomorrow, we are all running around a little crazy at the store today, however if the monument should need further attention we will get there as soon as possible to finish taking off the graffiti. Thank you as always for posting and keeping the community informed!"

Thanks for taking care of having the graffiti removed, Matt.  So glad to know that people care.

The photo below shows the monument after Matt's crew was able to remove the graffiti.

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Join Your Neighbors For A Veteran Day Remembrance In Carroll Park On November 11

On Saturday, November 11, 2017,  at 11 am, please come to Carroll Park to join friends and neighbors for a Veterans Day Remembrance to honor the service and sacrifice of our military veterans, both living and fallen.  The ceremony is organized, as in years past, by Court Street Merchants Association  and Friends of Carroll Park.

Veterans Day Ceremony In Carroll Park

11:00 a.m.

Saturday, November 11th, 2017

A Celebration To Honor America’s Veterans

For Their Patriotism, Love Of Country,

And Willingness To Serve And Sacrifice

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This Wednesday, Take Some Time To Attend Veterans Day Ceremony In Carroll Park

Please take some time this coming Veterans Day to honor the service and sacrifice of our military veterans, both living and fallen.  Court Street Merchants Association  and Friends of Carroll Park  invite you to join in a ceremony and laying of the wreath around the War Memorial in Carroll Park.

Veterans Day Ceremony In Carroll Park

11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, November 11th, 2015

A Celebration To Honor America’s Veterans

For Their Patriotism, Love Of Country,

And Willingness To Serve And Sacrifice

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Veterans Day Ceremony In Carroll Park: Let's Honor Those Who Served

Please take some time on Veterans' Day to honor the service and sacrifice of our military veterans, both living and fallen. Friends of Carroll Park and the Court Street Merchants Association invite you to join in a ceremony and laying of the wreath around the War Memorial in Carroll Park.

Veterans Day Ceremony

In Carroll Park

11:00 a.m.

Monday, November 11th, 2014

A Celebration To Honor America’s Veterans

For Their Patriotism, Love Of Country,

And Willingness To Serve And Sacrifice

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Carroll Gardens Celebrates Its Veterans At Moving Ceremony In Carroll Park

Glenn Kelly and Bruce McDonald of Friends Of Carroll Park

Joan D'Amico and Dr, Mike Polanski of Court Street Merchants Association

State Senator Daniel Squadron

The Pledge Of Allegiance

Patrick Watson singing the 'Star Spangled Banner' And 'America The Beautiful'

Carroll Gardeners of all ages took part in the simple, but moving Veterans Day Ceremony in Carroll Park yesterday morning. Many of the neighborhood veterans had come out to lay a wreath at the foot of the park's war memorial to honor those who serve and sacrifice for this country.
The ceremony has become a yearly event thanks to  Court Street Merchants Association and  Friends Of Carroll Park.
Patrick Watson of Stinky's on Smith Street, who happens to also be a trained opera singer, sang a beautiful rendition of "America, The Beautiful" and "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Special (and deserved) honor went to 92 year old Carroll Gardener and veteran Bob Burke, who fought in World War II. A few years ago, I wrote about  "the Lucky Irishman Of 4th Place".  You can read about him here and below is a little biography that was read at the ceremony.

WWII Veteran Bob Burke with Buddy Scotto

Bob Burke

John “Bob” Burke was born in 1921 in beautiful County Mayo, Ireland. He lived there in a picturesque thatch roof cottage until the age of 6 when his aunt Margaret, who had already immigrated to America, brought him to live with her as a member of her family on Fourth Place in what was then Red Hook. In fact, Bob has lived his whole “American” life on Fourth Place (now Carroll Gardens), except for the five years he served in the United States Military.

In 1941, when world conflict was escalating, Bob and several of his friends decided to join the National Guard. Initially, Bob was rejected because he was not yet an American citizen. Bob was not deterred because he considered America to be his homeland and he persevered until he was accepted. On December 7, 1941 Japan bombed Hawaii and America went to war. Bob transferred to the United States Army and was assigned to the newly formed 25th Infantry Division, known as “Tropic Lightning”. Bob fought in some of the most heated battles in the Pacific, including the Battle of Guadalcanal, the Battle of Mount Austen, the Solomon Islands Campaign, and in the Battle of Luzon in the Philippines. He also helped liberate a Japanese concentration camp in the Philippines and was awarded The Bronze Star.
Upon his discharge in 1945, Staff Sergeant Burke was given assistance by the U.S. Army in becoming a Citizen of the United States of America.
Throughout the years, Bob has been an active volunteer of St. Mary Star of the Sea Church. He helped found the Dad’s Club, as well as coordinated Teen Dances, Parish Bazaars, and the parish’s football team. Nowadays you can find Bob very often sitting in his lounge chair on 4th Place wishing passerby’s a “Good Day”. If you’re passing by, stop and say hello. Bob will enjoy having a conversation with you!

And here is some information on the Carroll Park Memorial:
The Carroll Park Memorial honors the memories of the men of the 8th Assembly District who lost their lives in World War 1.  The bronze plaques on either side of the 18-foot granite stele were crafted by Brooklyn-born sculptor Eugene H. Monahan (1869- 1849).  The memorial was dedicated in 1921. In 1994,  it was renovated as part of an overall upgrade of Carroll Park.
Did you know that a time capsule was placed in the base of the memorial in 1921 and more was added to it in 1994?




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Lovely Veterans' Day Ceremony In Carroll Park

Vietnam Veteran Nicholas Assante with his medals and his grand-daughter Jolie

Councilman Brad Lander

Assemblywoman Joan Millman

Friends Of Carroll Park president Bruce McDonald

On this cold, clear November morning, many in Carroll Gardens assembled around the War Memorial in Carroll Park to honor our veterans.The simple, but moving ceremony has become a yearly event thanks to Friends of Carroll Park and Court Street Merchants Association. After a wonderful rendition of the National Anthem by Christian Branch, a wreath was laid in front of the monument by neighborhood veterans.
Assemblywoman Joan Millman, Councilman Brad Lander, Senator Squadron and a representative for Borough President Marty Markowitz also attended.  Millman and Lander reminded everyone of the importance of honoring and helping our veterans of the past, but also those who are currently coming home after active duty.  Lander stated that it was time to recommit ourselves to our veterans.
"There is something wrong when 17% of our homeless are veterans."  Read more