Photo: Queens Borough President Melinda Katz last year marked Memorial Day in the Veterans Memorial Garden at Borough Hall with state Sens. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (l.), and James Sanders. Courtesy of Borough President Katz’s Office.
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz will host a Memorial Day Observance Ceremony on Thursday, May 21, at 11 a.m. in the Veterans Memorial Garden in front of Borough Hall.
The ceremony, Katz said, willpay tribute to current and former members of all branches of the Armed Services, and will include a wreath-placement ceremony to honor those whose lives were lost in service to the nation.
Katz will also present Citations of Honor to three distinguished military veterans from Queens: Private First Class Earlie Rhodes (U.S. Army, World War II); Past Department Commander Samuel Mantilla (U.S. Army, Vietnam War); and Sgt. Suzanne Bettis (U.S. Marine Corps, Iraq War).
“We as Americans would not enjoy the freedom and security we do today were it not for the brave men and women who have served, and who continue to serve, with distinction in our Armed Forces,” Katz said. “It is therefore most appropriate for us to express our gratitude for their courage and sacrifice by holding this Memorial Day Observance Ceremony.”
Last November, Katz hosted a Veterans Day Observance Ceremony, honoring Vietnam Veterans of America National President John Rowan and Haitian American Veterans Association President Dr. Fritz Fils-Aime “for their continued service to the veterans community.”
The free event will be held rain or shine in the Garden and will be followed by an indoor reception in Borough Hall, Room 200.
Anyone wishing to attend the ceremony should RSVP to Katz’s Veteran Affairs Liaison Dan Brown at (718) 286-2853 or dbrown@queensbp.org.
By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
