Fl 587 Victims Remembered In Astoria Park Tree Planting

The passengers of American Airlines Flight 587, who died when the plane crashed into Belle Harbor last year, gained a "new life" this past weekend as friends and relatives of the victims joined government officials, community leaders and religious figures in planting a memorial tree grove in a quiet corner of Astoria Park. "It means a lot," said Juan Martinez, whose 24-year-old sister, Yanelly, was killed in the crash. "These trees represent the people we lost. It means theyre now living here in this park."
During an elaborate ceremony in the late morning on Saturday, November 9, a number of speakers addressed those in attendance from a makeshift podium, with the East River and the multi-colored leaves of the parks trees serving as a scenic backdrop.
The HHS Foundation, the National Tree Trust, Hispanics Across America, and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation all contributed to the grove.
"Our loved ones are now at peace with God," said Father Allan Basilio in an opening prayer. He and another priest alternated between English and Spanish, the only language understood by many of the Dominicans at the service.
The priests then read the names of 265 victims of the crash, as someone tolled a large bell for each name.
About 60 or 70 people sat in the rows of chairs facing the podium. Many held pictures of loved ones during the reading of the names, and a few let tears flow freely as the name of A particular relative or friend was mentioned.
New York Secretary of State Randy Daniels spoke on behalf of Governor Pataki. "I extend to you our heartfelt condolences," he said, "but also, we stand ready with you as the healing begins."
Congressman Anthony Weiner represented Belle Harbor, a part of his congressional district, and stressed the new ties between the neighborhood adjacent to the crash site and the largely Dominican community in Washington Heights, where many of the victims lived.
"Its hard to find two communities more different in New York different in geography and different in culture than Washington Heights and Belle Harbor," he said. "But on that fateful day, the people of Washington Heights, Belle Harbor and Santo Domingo had something tragically in common.
"We were reminded that, at the end of the day, we are all united."
Other speakers included Moises Perez, president of Alianza Dominicana; Fernando Mateo, president of Hispanics Across America; Richard Keefe, president of the National Tree Trust; and Liam Kavanaugh, deputy commissioner of the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Also in attendance were State Senator Malcolm Smith and Assemblyman Michael Gianaris.
After the speakers finished, dozens of people lined up to participate in the ceremonial tree planting, taking turns shoveling a pile of dirt into a hole around one of the baby trees.
In total, six oak and six serviceberry trees were planted. The Parks Department also unveiled a memorial sign that describes the purpose of the grove.
The relatives and friends of the victims spoke highly of the memorial grove.
"Its a nice gesture," said Vanessa Errara, whose mother-in-law lost a young son, Roberto Pablo Brito, in the crash. Errara named her own newly born son Pablo in honor of the 9-year-old Flight 587 victim.
"A lot of people wanted the grove to be at the site [of the crash]," said Juan Martinez, "but I understand that neighbors out there are against that."
He described the year since his sisters death as "the worst year of my life," but the memorial grove has heightened his spirits.
"My sister has a new life here," he said, "and I can visit this spot very often, without disturbing anyone."
A similar memorial grove was planted in Bani, a suburb of the Dominican Republics capital city, Santo Domingo, on the first anniversary of the crash on Tuesday, November 12.