By Barbara Morris
On March 14, at St. Francis Preparatory School, 61-00 Francis Lewis Blvd. in Fresh Meadows, some of the talented young students presented a delightful concert that not only pleased the audience, but the performers themselves. Enthusiasm was obvious and it was inspiring to see how confident each performer was. Chorus members and each of the instrumentalists performed like professionals. Congratulations are certainly in order. I don't hesitate to recommend that when future concerts are produced, those who enjoy music should try to support these young folks and appreciate their hard work and perfection.And for the bargain price of $5, it was like hitting the jackpot. I understand there will be future concerts in April and May. For further information, please call 718-423-8810. Don't be surprised if, sometime in the future, when you go to hear our own Queens Symphony Orchestra perform, one or more of these young musicians will be a part of that valuable borough organization.These young people have new, fresh ideas – as they should. But it's also good for them to know about and appreciate some of the things that have been part of the country's history.St. Saviour's Church was, in its glory days, a unique example of religious architecture that should have been preserved. The Klein Farm and the Cornell Farm, along with the Veterans Extended Care Campus in St. Albans, should be preserved as important parts of history.Speaking of the Care Campus, those who lived during World War II have been called “the greatest generation.” Certainly those who fought and were injured (or worse) fighting in that war were the greatest of the great, followed now by another generation of valiant greats. These men and women should have their piece of peace preserved in posterity as their own.The building was designed and constructed by the U.S. Navy in the shape of an anchor. It was built to last and continues administering mercy and improved health to whatever veterans need assistance. I'm appalled that the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department, and some local southeast Queens residents and elected officials, seem unwilling to recognize how beneficial it would be to turn this complex into a full-service hospital. It could not only take care of its present residents, but be prepared to help new additions from our present war. All these people should be honored by each of us. Instead, we've heard that some local neighbors think the present building is too high, even though it has been at its present height for many years.We've heard that plans are still being made to take more of the Care Campus property than has already been taken by the community of southeast Queens to create Roy Wilkins Park. The hospital itself is at great risk of being destroyed to make way for some low-level buildings that would be designed to accommodate far fewer veterans instead of increasing the capacity to provide for newcomers. Three schools and more park space, all for the waiting public, have been proposed. (At last notice, the additional parking space proposed for the nearby J. Foster Phillips Funeral Home was either put on the back burner or has been forgotten).Although I support southeast Queens and work hard for all its communities, the Care Campus was meant to be available to all Queens veterans. From what I have heard, the planning for this property still isn't considering the wounded of this present war, nor have the present patients been given more than a perfunctory part, if at all.It's unfortunate that now those who deny or disparage the humanitarian deeds this country and its military have performed forget they owe these veterans for saving this country – at least so far. Once this opportunity to provide for these generous people who sacrificed for us is gone, what happens if an enemy creates an immediate need for massive medical emergencies? We are told to plan ahead, so a full-service hospital here would be an important move in the right direction.May God bless our veterans!
