BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Community volunteers, local students, veterans and elected officials joined forces with Mission Continues and the Cadman Park Conservancy for the 3rd annual revitalization of the Brooklyn War Memorial in Cadman Park, Nov. 8, 2015.
Although dedicated after World War II, the Brooklyn War Memorial closed only a few years after it opened and has remained closed ever since.
“The War Memorial was dedicated in 1951,” said Toba Potosky, the Board of Directors President for the Cadman Park Conservancy.” The Memorial has had its doors closed for more than 30 years.”
The purpose of the beautification is to restore the memorial and open it up to the public to recognize and honor those who have served and are currently serving.
“This is a very small token of my appreciation,” said Potosky. “There should be a place for veterans to go.”
New York State Assembly Member, Jo Anne Simon also voiced the need for a place for veterans to come and connect with the public. “It is amazing how many we have in the local community,” said Simon about the number of veterans in Brooklyn, some of who were volunteering that day.
The Mission Continues is an organization dedicated to providing opportunities for veterans to serve through volunteer opportunities in their local communities.
“This organization, the work that they are doing is absolutely amazing,” said Pamela Pettyjohn about Mission Continues. “It is a way for the community to take ownership of their own community.”
Pettyjohn, a volunteer with the Coney Island Beautification Project, Inc. donated daffodils to be planted around the park. The organization started planting daffodils at memorials after the September 11th terrorist attacks and continued after hurricane Sandy.
“Daffodils became a symbol of hope,” said Pettyjohn. Volunteers planted over 1,000 daffodils during the revitalization effort.
Volunteers not only included service organizations and veterans, but students from St. Joseph’s College and St. Francis College were taking the time out of their busy schedules to support the revitalization.
“Our school is over here, it’s good to give back to our community,” said Alexa Caporuscio, a student-athlete from St. Francis College.
Alexa volunteered with the other players from the volleyball team; along with the coaches and athletic administration who were picking up trash and raking leaves around the park.
The revitalization of the War Memorial was successful due to the involvement of so many volunteers from the local community working towards restoring a place to honor veterans not only on Veterans Day but year round.