Generally Speaking: Brooklyn’s Wall of Remembrance

August 20, 2015 Theodore W. General
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The Sons of the American Legion, a squad of U.S. Marines from the Armed Forces Reserve Center at Floyd Bennett Field, the Fire Department Pipe and Drum Band, a Marine Corps League Color Guard from Brooklyn 1 Detachment 217, and a contingent of veterans and friends of the military carried a gigantic American flag out on to the field at Coney Island’s MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones. As they rolled out the huge Stars and Stripes, America’s Tenor, former 68th Precinct Police Officer Danny Rodriguez, sang the national anthem.

It was all part of the seventh annual Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance Heroes Night. Outside on the western wall of the ballpark is a large memorial paying tribute to the 417 first responders and fallen heroes of 9/11. The FDNY brought its 150th anniversary designated fire truck for the occasion.

On this special night they were saluting the 22 U.S. Marine veterans whose names and images are memorialized on the wall. They include 17 from the FDNY, two NYPD officers, two Port Authority Police Department officers and one member of the FBI. Also being heralded for his bravery was Marine Lance Corporal Matias Ferreira, a veteran of Afghanistan and a double amputee.

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, FDNY chaplain, presented a proclamation from Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. Among the flag carriers was New York State Supreme Court Justice John Ingram, a retired admiral from the New York State Naval Militia and a Bay Ridge resident.

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As Brooklyn Battle Week continues, the Brooklyn Irish American Parade Committee and the Rawley Post of the American Legion, will hold their annual commemorative ceremonies on Saturday, August 29, in memory of the Maryland 400. The event — which includes a wreath laying, Taps, a rifle salute and a roll call reading of the names of these early freedom fighters who lost their lives defending the Old Stone House — starts 12 noon at the flagpole on Eighth Street just above Third Avenue.

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At the memorial tribute to the prison ship martyrs on Saturday, August 22, 10 a.m., in Fort Greene Park, the FDNY will be participating with its ceremonial color guard and bagpipers.

 

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