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Flagpole Dedication &
Celebration 2003
 “On
behalf of the citizens of this community we present this new flagpole to
the Richmond Hill Library to be the new rallying point of our people in
days that are bright and in days when clouds are gathering”
Jacob Riis - 1910
 In
1910 Jacob Riis, a long time Richmond Hill
resident and America’s first Photojournalist, created a movement among
the people to erect a flagpole in front of the 1905 Richmond Hill Library.
Amid great fanfare the American flag was raised. A number of years later
when Lefferts Blvd was widened the flagpole
was taken down and never replaced. The Richmond Hill Historical Society
made it their special goal, in 2003, to place a new flagpole in front of
the library and recreate the original 1910 ceremony to rally the people
of Richmond Hill once again. - The Richmond Hill Historical Society
Many thanks to Carl Ballenas
for Creating and Designing The Flagpole Dedication Program! Special Mention
to all the students that participated in the Essay Contest, "What America
Means To Me". The actual printed Program highlights an excerpt from each
of the students essays. Congratulations to the winners who received a $100
Bond Certificate.
FLAG
DAY PROGRM
10:30 AM
Patriotic Band: The ROTC Drum Corps of Franklin K. Lane High School
led by Captain Duarte.
11:00 AM
Introduction by President Nancy Cataldi, Historian Carl Ballenas and
Vice President Ivan Mrakovcic.
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Benediction by Monsignor O'Brien from St. Benedict Joseph Labre Church.
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Blessing by Rabbi Dr. C.I. Etrog.
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CommunityYouth Chorus to sing “America the Beautiful”.
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Congressman Meeks reading poem “I am the Flag”.
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Essay winner Alexandra Grabicki “What America Means to Me”.
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Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin.
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Veterans Walter Benson and Jack Toal raise the Flag as the CommunityYouth
Chorus sings the “Star Spangled Banner”.
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Pledge of Allegiance by all the School Children.
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Councilman Dennis Gallagher reciting the 1910 Jacob Riis speech.
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Queens Borough Public Library Director Gary Strong accepting the flagpole
on behalf of the library.
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Father Murphy of Holy Child Jesus blessing the flagpole.
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Essay winner Derek Shiwnath “What America Means to Me”.
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Gettysburg Address by John Sommese of Simonson’s.
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Essay winner Sandra Sevelkovaite “What America Means to Me”.
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Invocation by Father McCarron of the Church of the Resurrection of Richmond
Hill.
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Councilwoman Melinda Kate singing “God Bless America”.
We Would Like to Thank the Following Patriots for Their
Donations for This Wonderful Addition to Our Community
MAPLE GROVE CEMETERY
CEO: LINDA MAYO PEREZ
KEARNS FUNERAL HOME
SIMONSON'S FUNERAL HOME
COUNCILWOMAN MELINDA KATZ
UNICO QUEENSBORO CHAPTER
THE ROTARY CLUB OF
SOUTHWEST QUEENS
GEORGE BAUERNFEIND
JOSEPH DE MAY JR.
CAPTAIN FAILOR |
JOANN CATALDO (IN MEMORY OF HER PARENTS IDA AND SAM)
JILLLIAN MULVIHILL
ROSEMARY ANDERSON
FRANK LADONE
MARY JEPP
GEORGE MEANEY
MALCOLM MENZIES
GERALD LANDRY
EPIC POOL CORPORATION |
SENATOR MALTESE
SIMONSON FUNERAL HOME
RICHMOND HILL HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FLAGS DONATED BY COUNCILMAN GALLAGHER & CONGRESSMAN MEEKS
FROM THE QUEENS LIBRARY: JIMMY VAN BRAMER AND ROZ RUBINSTEIN
SUSAN WETJEN {RICHMOND HILL BRANCH).
BART HAGGERTY AND THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CHORUS OF QUEENS
ROTC OF FRANKLIN K. LANE HIGH SCHOOL & CAPTAIN DUARTE
AMERICAN LEGIONS OF QUEENS
DETECTIVE RUDY TOOLAS-PRASHAD
OF THE 102ND POLICE PRECINCT
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
MATERIAL FOR THE ARTS
COMMUNITY BOARD 9
NYPD AND DEPUTY OFFICER GARY SCIRICA
NYC DEPT. OF PARKS RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
NYC DEPT. OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS
MUSEUM OF SOUND RECORDING - DAN GAYDOS
BANNER DONATED BY BARTER SIGNS
GIRIL SCOUTS OF AMERICA
BANGERT'S FLORIST
KEY FOOD - REFRESHMENTS
PARKSIDE REALTY (BALLOONS)
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