Memorial Day is a time for Americans to remember and honor those who have fought and died for the freedoms this country holds dear, and now a street in Woodhaven will forever commemorate those soldiers.
Forest Park Drive in Forest Park is already lined with memorial trees dedicated to those who lost their lives in World War I, but the City Council recently passed legislation to officially co-name the street “Forest Park Memorial Drive.” The drive was formally renamed at a May 20 ceremony held by City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, who sponsored the bill.
“This co-naming continues the tradition in the park of marking and remembering our heroes,” Crowley said. “Forest Park Memorial Drive will be a lasting reminder for all who travel through the park of all that was done to protect our freedom.”
The co-naming legislation gained the support of the American Legion Post 118, Vietnam Veterans Local Chapter 32, the Queens Historical Society and the Woodhaven Cultural and Historical Society.
“This road now has a name that serves as a reminder that it contains several memorials to those who gave their lives in service to our country,” said Ed Wendell, executive director of the Woodhaven Cultural and Historical Society. “I think it would make their families proud and help future generations keep up the tradition of remembering their sacrifices, as well as supporting those young men and women currently in harm’s way. We’d like to thank Council Member Elizabeth Crowley, and all of the other electeds that supported this request, for getting this done so swiftly.”
Forest Park is also home to several other memorials and monuments recognizing the sacrifice of soldiers who fought for the country in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.
Victory Field inside Forest Park was dedicated to the “Unknown Soldier” of World War I. The park’s Strack Pond was named after the first Woodhaven resident who died in the Vietnam War, and there are two separate 9/11 memorials in the park that remember all the people who died on that fateful day.
Now, Forest Park Memorial Drive joins the many other tributes to the troops within the park.
