A solemn Memorial Day ceremony was held at Queens Borough Hall on Wednesday, May 21. Veterans of the armed forces and community members honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and celebrated service members who are actively making an impact borough-wide.
Dozens of people gathered in the Helen Marshall Cultural Center for the morning-long event, which included a free breakfast for attendees. Following breakfast, the program began with a flag ceremony performed by Aviation High School’s Air Force JROTC, followed by an invocation. After the invocation, Cassie Donegan, Miss Five Boroughs 2025, sang for the audience.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr then addressed the crowd with a brief speech. Richards highlighted the importance of remembering the true meaning of Memorial Day, which goes beyond family barbecues and a day off from school and work.
“The bottom line is freedom isn’t free. People paid the ultimate sacrifice for us to enjoy a weekend like this and beyond. Look at conflict around the world now, we often say there are no winners of war, and we are reminded of that every day,” he said.
Richards announced that he is committing $3 million in capital funding to a memorial that will be built in Whitestone in honor of Afghanistan and Iraq veterans. He also reiterated his pursuit of including veterans’ housing at the Creedmor redevelopment.
“Because no one who served our nation in uniform should ever come home to homelessness.. We owe that much to our veterans, and we owe even more of that to all of those who never made it home,” he said.
This year holds many important milestones for the U.S. Armed Forces, including the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army, the 80th Anniversary of World War II, and the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
Following Richards’ speech, local historians Carl Ballenas and Helen Day discussed their recent research on several Kew Gardens residents who were killed in action in World War II. Ballenas is chairman and the former president of the civic group Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery, and Day is vice president of the group.
The historians have authored a free book about the stories of the 27 young men who were killed in action, which will be published on June 14. “ As someone who taught history in New York City elementary schools for over 40 years, I often told my students that a cemetery is not a place of fear, it is a classroom beneath the sky,” Ballenas said. “ Maple Grove is more than a burial ground; it is a testament to the enduring spirit of Queens and a torch we now carry into the future.”
Queens veterans honored
During the event, five Queens veterans were presented with citations in recognition of their service to the country and the Queens community.
Zhou “Jojo” Chen was born in China and immigrated to New York City. She graduated from Queens College in 2002 and served active duty in the U.S. Navy from February 2004 to September 2011. She is currently serving in the Navy reserves, is a qualified surface warfare specialist, and has won numerous medals for her service. Chen currently works at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at the Queens Veterans Center in Ridgewood, providing support and resources to military veterans in need.
Michael G. Hall Jr served the U.S. Air Force from March 2000 to September 2007, rising to the rank of senior airman and earning numerous medals. Hall was a network systems journeyman providing critical network support during his deployments. After active duty, Hall continued his service as a defense contractor supporting Army and Air Force missions throughout the Middle East. Today, he is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 150 and a leader of St. John’s University’s student veterans’ success center. Hall is also the co-founder of GoVet.NYC, an initiative that promotes mindfulness practices for veterans.
Master Gunner Sgt. John Escalante enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1991 and served 30 years in active and reserve duty. Escalante engaged in numerous critical missions on six continents, including three consecutive combat missions in the Middle East. In retirement, Escalante continues to advocate on behalf of veterans and serves in numerous roles, including senior enlisted advisor to the United War Veterans Council, which produces the city’s annual Veterans Day Parade.
Felix Thompson is a retired Navy veteran who was a crewmember of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS. States Saratoga, where he was responsible for the ship’s communications and directional orbit. Thompson participated in successful combat missions, including the capture of the hijackers of the Achille Lauro cruise ship. Thompson later used his Navy communications experience to build a successful career with a telecommunications company. A Laurelton resident, Thompson continues to give back to his community as the president of the Concerned Citizens of Laurelton.
Mathew Cummings, a lifelong Ridgewood resident, enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly after graduating from Maspeth High School in 1970. Cummings was assigned to the U.S.S. John King, a guided missile destroyer that made multiple deployments to Vietnam and the Mediterranean. Cummings served in the Naval Reserve from 1975-1982 and had a successful career with Brooklyn Union Gas. He also serves his community as a member of multiple civic and veterans organizations.
