By Kathianne Boniello
Some say beauty is only surface deep, but the new paint job at the Little Neck-Douglaston American Legion Hall Post #103 did a lot more than just spruce up the place, it also helped put two of those who lost their jobs after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks back to work.
Several politicians and community leaders gathered at the American Legion Hall at 42-28 235th St. last week to publicize the effort, which was arranged by the city’s Central Labor Council and the Emergency Employment Clearinghouse.
The EEC is a joint project developed by the Central Labor Council and the Consortium for Worker Education to help those who lost jobs due to the Sept. 11 attacks and to assist small businesses hit hard by the ensuing economic decline.
Sometimes the work of the EEC also benefits nonprofit groups, such as the Little Neck-Douglaston American Legion Hall, state Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin (D-Flushing), president of the Central Labor Council, explained during Friday’s news conference.
“We now have this important fixture in the community, this important gathering place for our veterans, even more comfortable than it was,” McLaughlin said.
Done earlier this month by two out-of-work painters, the project at the American Legion Hall included painting the upstairs of the two-story building and power-washing the exterior, veterans at Post #103 said.
There are about 37 American Legion halls in the borough and some 5,500 members, said Manfred Brandt, a Jackson Heights veteran who serves as the Queens county commander of the American Legion.
“I think it’s wonderful when the community recognizes their veterans,” he said. “All the posts are on limited budgets. It’s really great when the community recognizes that and helps.”
The building has a long history in the community, dating back to at least 1903 when it was the home of Douglaston Hose Company 1, the predecessor of the area’s current firehouse, Engine Company 313/Ladder Company 164 on nearby 244th Street.
The Little Neck-Douglaston American Legion Hall, the original sponsor of the Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade, also served as the destination point for the parade until one of the nation’s largest Memorial Day event outgrew 235th Street.
Veterans on hand for last week’s news conference praised the work of the painters, as did state Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza (D-Bayside) and state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose).
Robert Anastasi, a Douglaston resident who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and attends the American Legion Hall, said “we really needed it and they did a terrific job.”
Vincent Aceste of Douglaston, a World War II veteran, agreed.
“They gave it a good facelift,” he said.
Carrozza called the work “a project that really symbolizes our renewed commitment as a city, as a state and as a country to our veterans and the job they have done.”
Reach reporter Kathianne Boniello by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 146.
