By Howard Koplowitz
Construction on a piece of parkland on Glen Oaks Village property is nearing completion just in time for the co-op’s Sept. 11 memorial ceremony.
The program is scheduled to start 1 p.m. Sept. 11 by Little Neck Parkway and 75th Avenue and is expected to feature a special remembrance of the attacks by the Fire Department and speakers ranging from first responders to military veterans from World War II to the present.
“We have created a park on a piece of land that we own … to pay honor to the men and women of the armed services and those who lost their lives on Sept. 11,” said Glen Oaks Village President Bob Friedrich. “I’m hoping that we’ll have a nice turnout and we’ll have a very nice program.”
A host of religious leaders have been invited to the event, including a priest, rabbi, imam and Sikh religious leader, Friedrich said.
The memorial includes a large stone with a bronze plaque and a 30-foot flag that will be lit up and be able to be seen on Little Neck Parkway at night, Friedrich said.
“This is really a community project,” Friedrich said. “I think it’s a nice addition to the community and people will be pleased.”
Construction on the parcel started one month ago and is expected to be completed before the ceremony, Friedrich said.
The memorial is scheduled to begin with a welcome from Friedrich, followed by veterans who will hand out flags to attendees.
Veterans will then unfold and raise a flag, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence and an invocation by religious leaders.
Then numerous speakers will address the crowd and a large wreath will be placed by the memorial plaque.
The plaque will then be unveiled and the triangle park will be dedicated.
Following the ceremony, attendees will be invited to place their small flags around the memorial in memory of those who died during the attacks and those who lost their lives serving their country.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
