Letters
Remember War Dead
To The Editor:

Concerning Nov. 11, 1918—Armistice Day. On that date the first World War a.k.a. World War I: The Great War: and now the disproved and discredited "War To End All Wars" ended with the capitulation of the Central Powers. The United States entered the conflict on April 6, 1917, provoked by Germany’s intrigues with the Mexican government. Military historians agree that the intervention of our armed forces in that ongoing European carnage proved to be the decisive factor in the Allies’ victory. But we paid dearly in triumph. American combatants sustained over 50,000 battlefield deaths. 

The body of one soldier was returned stateside and buried in Mt. Hebron cemetery, block 61. His name was Julius Baneth, Pvt., U.S. Army, and was attached to Co K, 165th Inf. where he fought with the A.E.F. in France and was killed in combat as he charged toward the enemy with his comrades-in-arms on Nov. 5, 1918. He was 18 years old.

Buried in a military cemetery in the town of Fere-en-Tardenois, France is the body of renowned poet Alfred Joyce Kilmer, killed in action by a sniper on July 30, 1918. He was 32 years old. Who doesn’t remember his endearing poem: "I think that I shall never see, A poem lovely as a tree…"?

Resting in a tomb in Arlington National Cemetery is the body of an American soldier "Known but to God," killed in a battle unknown; in a time and place unknown, his name, unknown. His war—1917-1918.

C’est la guerre—again and again and…

Bugler, sound "Taps."

Hyman Auslander

Flushing

No Show Is Not Good

A copy of the following letter was received by the Gazette.

Kathleen Grimm

Office of the Deputy Chancellor for

Finance and Administration

New York City Department of Education

52 Chambers Street

New York, NY 10007

Dear Ms. Grimm:

I would like to express my deep disappointment in your not attending the crucial meeting of October 21 at St. Nicholas of Tolentine on the proposal to place Gateway High School on the Queens Hospital Center Campus.

Your absence was noted by State Senator Frank Padavan and Councilmember James Gennaro, and may have been construed as a statement of disrespect for the Hillcrest community.

The large audience, consisting of civic leaders, educators and community activists was overwhelmingly in opposition to the relocation of Gateway High School to the grounds of Queens Hospital Center. They see it as having a negative impact on their neighborhood. The additional number of young people in their community would overload the already super-saturated public bus service and exacerbate the existing problems of parking limitations and blocked driveways.

In addition, my constituents are very concerned about the effect this extra population would have on their community in terms of sanitation, noise pollution and public safety. Moreover, and most troubling of all, was the acute sense of betrayal articulated by all community speakers, at the manner in which the Gateway plan was not subject to an open process, and announced to the public as a fait accompli.

Many had called for the abandonment of plans, or at the very least, a downsizing of the student capacity of the proposed building, as well as other accommodations aimed at maintaining the current quality of life in this vibrant community.

Please look at all the options carefully and make plans to have a meeting with us as soon as possible, so as to benefit from a much-needed dialogue.

Sincerely,

Brian M. McLaughlin

Member of Assembly

Hails Harbor Project

To The Editor:

I enjoyed reading Linda Wilson’s story about the Cross Harbor Project in Oct. 30, 2003 Gazette. I would like to know more about the project and where to go to find out about the jobs it will create!

I think it is important to revitalize NYC’s rail connection with the national system. It has been in a horrible state since the late 1970s. Freight trains have to be ferried on small car-floats right now-or go all the way to Albany (Selkirk Yard) and come back down through Hell Gate Bridge. There is no easy way to Queens right now!

Best wishes and thanks,

Marc Pitanza

Via E-Mail