By Howard Koplowitz
Lance Cpl. Michael Postal, a 21-year-old rifleman with the 2nd Marine Division, was killed May 5, 2005 in combat by enemy explosions in Iraq's al-Anbar province, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. The dedication was initiated by Postal's family and City Councilman David Weprin (D-Hollis) forwarded the request to CB 13.Weprin's office selected the triangle at 79th Avenue, Union Turnpike and 259th Street, for the tribute to Postal because it was close to his Glen Oaks Village home and Our Lady of the Snows Church Ð the site of his funeral and where he received his first Communion.”That's wonderful,” said Postal's grandmother, Sandi Postal, when told of CB 13's vote. She said she was not aware that her grandson was going to be honored. She said she recently moved from Florida back into the Glen Oaks Village apartment where Postal, his father and stepmother lived before he was killed.The council will have to approve CB 13's vote in order for the triangle naming to occur.Postal dreamed of being in the Marines, she said, because he wanted to be a part of the military's elite branch.”There was no deal about the Army, Navy or Air Force. That was Michael. And that's how Michael was from a little kid. He was like 'If I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it right.'” Postal graduated from Martin Van Buren High School in June 2003 and started his first tour of duty in the Marines in November. He was sent to Haiti before returning for a second tour in January 2005.His father and stepmother have since moved to Massapequa, L.I., according to Sandi Postal. They could not be reached for comment.The triangle naming is not the first time Michael Postal has been honored posthumously.A month after the Glen Oaks Village man's death, Marines from his unit named their operating post in al Karmah, Iraq “Camp Postal,” according to the Marines.His grandmother said he never sought out special attention for being a Marine. “He (always) said 'I'm not a hero. I was trained to do my job, I did my job.'”Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
