Forgotten memorial uncovered in time for Vets Day

Thursday is Veterans Day, which was first recognized by Congress 95 years ago and has been a national holiday since 1938. Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans, whether they are still with us or not.
If you know someone who has served, thank them for their service. Or better still, ask them where they served and what it was like. You’ll hear some very interesting stories.
I bring some exciting news about a newly discovered memorial in Woodhaven, one that’s been sitting in plain view for many years.
To begin, let’s review the memorials that we all know about, starting with the large granite monument and plaque dedicated to the young men who lost their lives in World War I in the front yard of American Legion Post 118 on 91st Street and 89th Avenue.
This large monument once sat in Forest Park where Memorial Day parades used to conclude, but it was moved to the American Legion when the new post was built in the early 40s.
A second Woodhaven monument, Lieutenant Clinton L. Whiting Square, is on 84th Street and 91st Avenue and is sometimes referred to locally as “The Rock.” Erected in the late 1920s, it memorializes a local lad who died in World War I.
The third monument sits on Forest Parkway and Jamaica Avenue and was erected in the early 1950s to honor local youth killed in World War II. For many years, this was an important stop for Memorial Day parades. A 21-gun salute was often performed at this location.
A fourth monument, brass plaques with the names of young men from the parish who died in both World Wars, sits inside the back lobby of St. Thomas the Apostle Church.
A fifth monument sits just to the east of the trees along Forest Park Drive. Private First Class Lawrence Strack Memorial Pond was named after the first local youth killed in Vietnam. At the time it was dedicated, the pond had been converted to ballfields.
A sixth monument is a location we’re all familiar with, but might not realize it was dedicated to the war dead. Victory Field was built and dedicated to “the unknown soldier of World War I.”
The next three memorials had been lost to history until the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society (WCHS) discovered them. The first was the Memorial Trees of Woodhaven, which run along Forest Park Drive from Park Lane South past Oak Ridge and towards the Forest Park Carousel.
These trees were planted for local soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. Families used to decorate them on Memorial Day, a tribute that the WCHS revived in 2015. In 2017, the City of New York co-named the road through the park as “Forest Park Memorial Drive” in honor of the trees.
The next rediscovered memorial was the triangle at Rockaway Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue dedicated to Father Lawrence Lynch, the tough Irish chaplain who heroically served in World War II and lost his life at the Battle of Okinawa while comforting and giving Last Rites to a dying soldier.
The triangle was dedicated in 1949, but over time the sign disappeared and people forgot about it until WCHS uncovered it and brought it to everyone’s attention. Seventy years after it was originally dedicated, the triangle was rededicated to Father Lynch in 2019.
And now we have one more memorial that has been long forgotten and sitting mostly unrecognized for decades.
Legion Square is an area of Woodhaven at Rockaway Boulevard and Elderts Lane surrounded by homes and stores, with a grass-covered triangle in the middle. It was dedicated for American Legion Post 118 in June 1930.
At one time, there were three cannons on the triangle. For many years, Flag Day ceremonies were held here and many Memorial Day parades started at this beautiful spot.
So well regarded was the location that it was selected as one spot for a Welcome to Woodhaven sign, as well as a sign proclaiming it as “The Gateway to Queens.”
The triangle itself is still there and well maintained by the Parks Department. They even have a small sign identifying it as Legion Triangle, but you really need to look closely to see it. We can improve on that.

BHS Vintage Car Show a step back in time

The Bayside Historical Society held its annual Vintage Car Show this past Sunday. The lawn of the Castle at Fort Totten was transformed into a hub of diverse antique and vintage automobiles from throughout the last century.
Although some of the cars on display were originals, most of them were restored originals, a practice that requires a lot of passion, time and money.
Tom Lee, a car enthusiast who’s been involved with car shows for ten years, brought his 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air to the show. Lee purchased the car from a young man in Pennsylvania, who built it in his garage as a hobby.
“It was a wreck, he totally redid the whole thing,” he said. “It’s like a new car, but it’s still got some original elements like the old three-speed shift.”
Lee said he enjoys entering and attending car shows such as this one to see the different styles of vehicles, as well as to meet new like-minded people.
Queens Village resident Steve Ditullio brought his 1966 GTO convertible to Bayside, which he first finished in 2007. For him, these days car shows are more of a hobby and chance for social interaction, as opposed to years ago when he was more competitive.
“I’ll go to a car show, but not stick around for trophies,” he said. “I’ll say ‘hello’ to my friends and leave. But in the beginning, I got a bunch of trophies, especially for my ‘58 Harley that I had, which I actually plan to donate.”
Although restored, his GTO convertible is era correct as it has DMV-verified license plates from the model’s year, as well as a registration sticker in the back of the car where it used to be placed.
Ditullio described himself as a purist when it came to building this car, since he did everything he could to keep it original, but still made modern tweaks to make it safe.
He said his favorite thing about putting his cars on display is the nostalgia it evokes in the people who admire it.
“What I really love is there’s so many people who have come up to me and owned one of these cars in the past, and I bring them back to that time,’” he said. “I even start seeing people my age bringing their grandkids who become interested in it. So it’s nice to see that it’s not going to die out as quickly as I thought.”

104th Precinct Police Blotter (10/25/2021-10/31/2021)

Monday, Oct. 25
Krzysztof Szpelski was arrested at 69-30 52nd Avenue for felony assault by Detective Moon.
Michael Sewell was arrested at Myrtle Avenue and 65th Street for menacing by Officer Lenoci.
Filippo Gallina was arrested at 62-10 69th Place for criminal contempt by Officer Bartichek.
Vincent Jara was arrested at 60-11 69th Street for misdemeanor assault by Officer Gonzalez.

Tuesday, Oct. 26
Christopher Tierney was arrested at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue for criminal contempt by Detective Friedrich.

Wednesday, Oct. 27
Eric Gold was arrested at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue for criminal contempt by Detective Lodato.
Elzbieta Bilut was arrested at 70-05 72nd Street fr menacing by Officer Iannuzzi.

Thursday, Oct. 28
Nothing to Report

Friday, Oct. 29
Blandon Gustavo was arrested at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue for aggravated harassment by Detective Clarke.
Stelica Pusa was arrested at 60-51 Fresh Pond Road for misdemeanor assault by Officer Kollbeck.
John Byrne was arrested at 67-08 51st Road for menacing by Officer Lin.

Saturday Oct. 30
Carlos Vega was arrested at 1625 Putnam Avenue for burglary by Officer Valdemar.
Ashley Soto was arrested at 1625 Putnam Avenue for burglary by Officer Valdemar.
Adan Chuquiana was arrested at 961 Seneca Avenue for driving while intoxicated by Officer Lipori.
Diego Lopez was arrested at 1611 Cornelia Street for possession of a forged instrument by Officer Nessler.

Sunday, Oct. 31
Mauro Brito was arrested at 72-40 Cooper Avenue for child endangerment by Officer Bayzian.
Joseph T. Hotaling was arrested at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue for felony assault by Officer Libreros.
Edelmar Gomez was arrested at 62-68 Mount Olivet Crescent for felony assault by Officer Simone.
Melissa Jimenez was arrested at 62-68 Mount Olivet Crescent for felony assault by Officer Simone.

Louis F. Casale

Louis F. Casale passed away on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at the age of 96. Beloved Husband of the late Theresa Casale. Loving Father of Louis J. Casale and Regina Casale. Cherished Grandfather of Dineen, Tim and David. Dear Brother of Caroline Romano and Theresa Casale. Mass of Christian Burial offered at St. Adalbert’s Church on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 10 AM. Interment followed at St.John Cemetery, Middle Village, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.

Marie Rose Caciola

Marie Rose Caciola passed away on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at the age of 92. Beloved Wife of the late John Caciola. Loving Mother of Joan Turley, Mariane Todaro and Joseph Caciola, and Mother-in-Law of Robert and Joan. Cherished Grandmother of Zachariah, Noah, Matthew,Christopher, Daniel, Joseph Jr., Jonathan & Jacob and Great Grandmother of Keegan, Kaylen, Brooklyn and Luca. Dear Sister of Katherine Benfante, Charles Aruta and Daniel Aruta. Dearest Aunt of Kathy Lee Mannino and many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Funeral Services held at Papavero Funeral Home on Saturday, November 6, 2021. Entombment followed at St. Michael’s Cemetery, St. Michael II Mausoleum, East Elmhurst, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.

Antonio M. Sardou

Antonio M. Sardou passed away on Thursday, November 4, 2021 at the age of 63. Beloved Husband of Theresia Litvey-Sardou. Loving Father of Lorraine Sardou and Kathleen Sardou. Dear Brother of Carlos, Jose, Hector, Horacio, Maria Elisa and Maria Clotilde. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral Services held at Papavero Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 from 4-9 PM. Private Cremation followed at Fresh Pond Crematory, Middle Village, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth NY.

John Vasilios Sheoris

John Vasilios Sheoris passed away on Friday, November 5, 2021 at the age of 94. Beloved Husband of the late Phyllis Sheoris. Loving Father of Dede (Ira) and William J. Sheoris. Cherished Grandfather of Stephen and Melanie. Mr. Sheoris was a United States Navy Veteran. Funeral Liturgy offered at St. Demetrios G.O. Cathedral on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 10 AM. Interment followed at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Maspeth, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.

Veronica Emma

Veronica Emma passed away on Friday, November 5, 2021 at the age of 68. Beloved Mother of Samantha and Amanda Emma. Dearest Sister of Rich Ramphul, Arlene Ramphal, Donna Mowell, Sherry St. Hilein and Gregory Ramphal. Cherished Daughter of Bibi F. Khan. Loving Aunt of Jennifer Burton, Jeffrey Burton, Tara Ramphal, Ryan Ramphal, Alexis Ramphal, Mikayla & Christopher. Funeral Services held at Papavero Funeral Home onWednesday, November 10, 2021 9:00 AM. Cremation followed at Fresh Pond Crematory, Middle Village, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.

Margaret McMahon

Margaret McMahon passed away on Friday, November 5, 2021 at the age of 91. Beloved Wife of the late Daniel. Loving Sister of Sarah Jane Cassidy, Agnes Catherine Golden, Susan Josephine Sweeney and Bridget Dolphin. Also survived by numerous loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Mary’s Church on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 10:30 AM. Interment followed at Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.

Elfriede Maurer

Elfriede Maurer passed away on November 2, 2021 at the age of 88. Devoted Mother of Karen Varela & Jeff Maurer. Grandmother of Chris, Melissa, Michael & Matthew and Great-Grandmother of Drew & Olivia. Dear Sister of the late Richie Schmitt, Freddy Schmitt and Erich Schmitt. Funeral Services were offered at Hess-Miller Funeral Home. Interment was at All Faiths Cemetery under the direction of Hess-Miller Funeral Home, 64-19 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village, NY 11379.

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