By Barbara Morris
I wish I had taken pictures of the structure because it was ingenious. It looked like multiple barracks, lined up in rows near Merrick Boulevard where Roy Wilkins Park is now. They were not all separate buildings, but instead were all connected. Once inside, you could just keep walking until you reached your destination, without going outside again.The main building was constructed by the Navy, and they believed in being proud of their identity. They built the facility to last (they hoped forever), and built it in the shape of an anchor. Ever since that time, (even though it is not exclusively Navy anymore), there are still veterans and their families who consider that special building and surrounding area as “their anchor” to something that has helped pull them through some rough times.Most of the barrack hallways were torn down many years ago, making way for Roy Wilkins Park, the Black Spectrum Theatre, the track, the fish pond and other things and events that take place there to occupy an appreciative community.Like many other people who attended the Jan. 22 meeting in the extended care facility's Pratt Hall, called by U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-St. Albans) to update interested parties, I was saddened that those who could have made this facility what it should have been but did not do so.It had the potential to be a full service hospital with therapy, extended care for both men and women veterans and a hospice. Since these necessities were not made available there, veterans who needed in-depth treatment were forced to travel distances that were either difficult for them and their families, or forego necessary treatment totally. The latter was the case for one 228 Street neighbor who told me, “I just can't go all that way for treatment. You're talking to a dead man.” I assured him we could get someone to take him wherever he had to go, but he said he was just too tired to bother any more. He died in about two weeks.We feel that, had all the necessities been there in the first place, the buildings presently underutilized and marked for destruction would have provided veterans with their needs locally and would thus have served the purpose for which they were built. I hope that it is not too late to reconsider future plans. The expenses planned for the destruction of the main building and the other buildings could be used to upgrade underground electrical lines. Present and new patients or residents could contribute their insurance funds to go to the VA instead of going elsewhere.I think it is unconscionable for anyone to keep taking property that was “gifted” to veterans as some meager compensation they were given in return for the overwhelming sacrifices some made long ago, and some are still making now. We will have wounded coming home from overseas and should our country be attacked again, should we not now begin to be prepared instead of waiting until it is too late? I think it would be the propitious thing to do, and not disturb the present occupants Ð physically, emotionally, or spiritually Ð any more than necessary.Although there were many suggestions as to how to utilize acreage that the community would like to use, it is my understanding that New York City already owns acreage formerly part of the veterans' territory, which could be used to build the schools our political people say we need. I am told a great deal of money and effort is soon to provide a soccer field on the southern part of St. Albans Park, taking care Ð more or less Ð for giving our southeast Queens folks an opportunity for added athletic without taking away from the veterans. And as far as using some of the veterans' land as a parking lot for a privately owned business is concerned, denying that option might serve as a lesson to others who don't plan properly before overexpanding.There was also the hint that night that the community wants no buildings higher than two stories. I believe that, since the main building is already there, its structure should be “grand-fathered,” but when residents asked me to find out how PS 270, (then under construction), could be higher than two stories, I was told, “Schools and hospitals are exempt from such restrictions.”I'm sure everyone would like the people of southeast Queens to have as many community improvements as they can get without taking away from those who fought to keep the rest of us free. As we were reminded by the master of ceremonies, “You must remember, this facility is for all Queens veterans, not only those from southeast Queens or St. Albans.” Shouldn't we all try to be as generous to the veterans as possible since they gave so much for us? Meeks has arranged for another meeting at the St. Albans extended care facility's Pratt Hall on Feb. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m.
