A street sign in Breezy Point is now and forever named in honor of the late Sgt. Gerard Dunne, who died in action during the Vietnam War. Photo courtesy Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
A Vietnam War hero was immortalized on a Breezy Point street over the weekend, thanks legislation signed earlier this summer made way for massive co-namings throughout the city.
Beach 221st Street and Rockaway Point Boulevard was co-named in honor of late Sgt. Gerard Dunne on Saturday, paying tribute to the U.S. Army hero who died in action in Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam on Aug. 25, 1968. City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) came together with members of the Breezy Point community to unveil the new street sign just over one month after Mayor Bill de Blasio signed legislation co-naming 63 streets and public spaces throughout the city.
“Sgt. Dunne made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country,” Ulrich said. “This co-naming is the very least we could do to honor his bravery and keep his memory alive as a lasting reminder of the sacrifices made every day by our brave men and women in uniform.”
Dunne, a Brooklyn native born in December 1946, was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Silver Star – the military’s third highest decoration for valor – soon after he died in action. Dunne’s friends and family members, including those with the Sons and Daughters of America Breezy Point group, spoke in his memory at the co-naming ceremony last Saturday morning before city Police Department helicopters flew overhead for a storybook ending.
“The sacrifices made by our servicemen and women must always be remembered,” said Kevin J. McCann, post commander of the John G. McLaughlin Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 8540. “It was almost 46 years to the day that this young soldier was remembered for making the ultimate sacrifice.”
De Blasio signed legislation back on July 9 that co-named 63 streets and public places throughout the city in honor of individuals and entities that have made lasting contributions to New York City.
By The Forum staff
