Letters To The Editor

Thank You

To The Editor:

The Members of The William Bradford Turner American Legion Post 265, Garden City, wish to express our appreciation to everyone who contributed to making our Veterans Day 11th Hour Ritual and Rainbow Division Monument Rededication an outstanding tribute to our veterans, past and present. Special thanks to The Garden City Police Department, The Garden City Fire Department, The Garden City Special Police, and to Brian Ridgeway, our Village Clerk, for his help in coordinating the support of the Village Departments to provide the facilities and for the safety of those who attended.

Prior to the opening ceremonies, there was an exhibit held in Fire House Three of memorabilia and presentations about the establishment of Camp Albert Mills in the area east of Clinton Road in Garden City in 1917. The 42nd Infantry, the “Rainbow Division,” trained at Camp Mills prior to going to France to fight in World War I. An audience of several hundred people including Girl Scout, Cub Scout and Boy Scout units learned about this chapter in the history of our country and of Garden City.

Following the viewing of various items, the attendees walked to the site of the rededication of the Rainbow Division’s Monument. John Donovan, Past Post Commander introduced the program. Hofstra University’s ROTC Color Guard presented the colors, the Nassau County Police Bagpipe Band played, and a group of World War I re-enactors marched and presented arms. The “Star Spangled Banner” was sung by those present, and The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Bishop Rodney Michel, from the Cathedral of the Incarnation, offered the invocation. Mayor Barbara Miller welcomed all who had gathered for this very special occasion.

At “the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month,” Frank Nedelka, Post Commander, led the Eleventh Hour Ritual. Prayers were offered by Joseph Keating, Post Chaplain. The Nassau County Police Band Buglers rendered a plaintive sounding of “Taps,” which included the impressive echo effect.

This aspect of the ceremonies was followed by the unveiling and rededication of the Rainbow Division’s Monument and wreaths were placed at its base. The honored guests were greeted by John Donovan, Past Post Commander who was the co-organizer of the event along with George Haber, Cyril Smith and Frank Nedelka. The four middle school students who won the Essay and Poetry Contest were presented with plaques, Douglas McArthur Medallions and savings bonds. Carolyn Vaeth, the First Place winner, read her very stirring poem.

Other highlights of the day included George Haber’s reading of remarks by Douglas McArthur, James J. Jones’ sharing the Diary of his father, Joseph Jones, a soldier who served with the original Rainbow Division, and Maj. Gen. Tom Garrett, Chief of Homeland Security Division of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, who spoke of the legacy of the 42nd Infantry Division. A special treat was hearing Joyce Kilmer’s poems read by his grandson, Hugh Kilmer. Joyce Kilmer was a member of the Rainbow Division who gave his life in World War I.

We’d like to give a very special thank you to the following companies who donated services and funding to help us make this a truly memorable day: Boswell’s Deli of Mitchel Field; Crown Trophy of Levittown; Morgan Stanley of Garden City, courtesy of Jim Verdi and John Sepe; North Fork Bank of Garden City, courtesy of Donna Williams and John Garvey; and Kevin Hanrahan of Scheurer Monuments of Westbury.

For God and Country

Frank Nedelka

Commander

My Correction

To The Editor:

In my letter last week I incorrectly quoted the POA survey, 40% of the respondents favored private use, 26% favored public use and 25% favored demolition. My apologies for my misstatement.

Addressing the comments that were stated in the “Pitiful Poll letter, I can only say that they were inappropriate and vindictive. All four POA’s attempted to address the St. Pauls issue with tremendous effort and determination. We used Adelphi as a neutral source to tabulate the survey results. Adelphi’s professors are experienced at survey production and tabulation and to insult their integrity is uncalled for.

As I have proven, anyone can make a mistake. What is obvious though, is that a growing number of residents are tired of our trustees in action. We need to voice our concerns and solve this St. Pauls stalemate. Let us change St. Pauls into something we can all be proud of!

Robert Bolebruch

Services Needed

Printed By Request:

To The Editor:

I am Risha Levinson, Director of the Senior Connections Program which has been in operation for the past 20 years at the Garden City Public Library. Our program consists of Information and Referral Services to Garden City Seniors who are in need of knowledge of available resources and referrals to appropriate services. Public forums are offered to the community in areas that are of special interest to older adults and their families. Programs are also designed to promote intergenerational interests of Seniors and Youth (the SAY program).

Since I am unable to attend this meeting tonight, I am taking this opportunity to present to you my views on the designation of the St. Paul’s structure for the incorporation of community services for our senior population. Since 22% of Garden City residents are over the age of 65 and have no designated community center, it would indeed be a great interest to our seniors to consider St. Pauls as a highly desirable locus to help meet the varying needs of older persons as they “age in place.”

Model programs for seniors exist in many communities throughout Nassau County - e.g. Rockville Centre and Oyster Bay. These programs offer a wide spectrum of services to meet senior needs - ranging form the active “young old” to the “needier frail” elderly. Support services could offer fitness programs, computer rooms, space for games and hobbies, and transportation to the center, also to medical appointments and local shops. Referrals to medical and social work services could also be provided by professional health care and social work services. The Center could also offer intergenerational interests and activities for Seniors and Youth. Given the current high percent of older residents, and the certainty of a continuous expansion of the baby boom generation that are “coming of age,” the prospect of a Community Senior Center in Garden City deserves priority consideration.

As a resident of Garden city for the past 36 years, I will be glad to join our community friends, appointed officials, and volunteer citizens to discuss the possibilities of meeting the interests and needs of our Garden City community, including our older population. We too can make our village a “model community’ for Seniors and Youth (SAY).

Risha W. Levinson, DSW.,

Professor Emerita,

Adelphi University

Reestablish Values

To The Editor:

I read with much dismay our Board of Trustees concern with $2,788 in overtime to support our annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

For the large majority of Garden City residents of Irish background, this proposed resolution certainly would impact on the festive occasion that so many of our families attend.

We can spend considerable amounts for architects, consultants, engineers, and lawyers to prolong the St. Paul’s debacle, but not a few thousand for our annual parade.

I think we need to reestablish our priorities and values.

Sally Coyne