Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Showing posts with label military. Show all posts

Friday, September 16, 2022

Today Is 2022 National POW/MIA Recognition Day - POW/MIA Flag Flies Below US Flag Over Main Street Roosevelt Island Thru Efforts Of Local Resident West Point Grad & RIOC

The third Friday in September has been designated by Congress as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

According to the US Defense Department: 

... More than 80,000 American service personnel are missing from previous conflicts and 38,000 are estimated to be recoverable. The Defense POW/MIA Agency remains relentless in its mission to provide the fullest possible accounting to their families and the nation, until they're home....

Today, Friday September 16, 2022, is National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

An excerpt from September 15, 2022 Proclamation by President Joe Biden:

 ... On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we pledge to seek out answers for the families of service members still missing in action. We commit to doing all in our power to identify and recover America’s missing sons and daughters. And we pay tribute to former prisoners of war — individuals who exhibited remarkable courage, love of country, and devotion to duty to protect our Nation’s safety and freedoms.

Today and every day, we fly the iconic black and white flag symbolizing America’s Prisoners of War and Missing in Action above the White House, at the United States Capitol, on military bases, at memorials and cemeteries, and at homes across America. It is a reminder that we have not forgotten the heroism of our POWs and MIAs and that we still hope for their return. There is no undertaking more fundamental than the rite of remembrance, and there is no act more sacred or more American than keeping the faith with those who have sacrificed so much for our Nation....

The black and white POW/MIA Flag flies every day beneath the American Flag at the Roosevelt Island Blackwell Flagpole on Main Street. 

 How did the POW/MIA Flag get raised on Roosevelt Island? 

As previously reported:

... It was on the initiative of Roosevelt Island resident Ross Wollen in 2017 with the assistance of former Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal and Director of Transportation Cy Opperman. Mr. Wollen, a resident of Rivercross for almost 40 years, graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point NY in 1965.Over the years Mr. Wollen has hosted West Point Cadets and his Classmates on Roosevelt Island as they visit NYC for various events and reunions.

Among his frequent guests is Robert Jones, a West Point Classmate and good friend who joined the US Air Force as a Fighter Pilot upon graduation, and like almost all of the members of the 1965 Class spent time in the Viet Nam War several years after leaving the Academy. Mr. Jones was shot down over North Viet Nam close to his final mission, severely injured, captured and spent over five years in captivity, as a POW at various prison camps including the infamous Hanoi Hilton. There he was quartered, when not in solitary confinement or being privately tortured, with the Navy pilot, former Senator John McCain.

Mr. Wollen wished to recognize and honor the service of his friend and West Point classmate, Robert Jones. According to Mr. Wollen in 2017:

It was in connection with Bob Jones latest visit to Roosevelt Island that RIOC was kind enough to add the POW-MIA Flag to the Main Street Round-a-Bout, just under Old Glory, as it flies all over the Country.

Mr. Wollen often tells of Classmate Bob's then deadly serious but now delightful story of his interrogation by North Vietnamese captors. Jones was required at gun point to name his unit's several commanders and realizing he would be tested over and over so could not just make up names he couldn't remember, Jones volunteered the NY Yankee line up with which he was very familiar as a young New Jersey fan and having pitched against the Yankees when they played against Army at West Point in a pre-season exhibition game. Jones was challenged days later and specifically asked by a North Vietnamese interrogator the spelling of Jones' Flight Commander. Jones spelled out his Flight Commander - Yogi Berra. Yogi loved it when told the story in the 1990's.

Here's Mr.Wollen, Mr Jones and their West Point Classmate, US Marine Reg Dryzga

 Image Of Ross Wollen, Bob Jones & Reg Dryzga From Left To Right
at the Roosevelt Island Flagpole during a past visit.

The West Point Oral History Project has a fascinating interview with Mr. Jones
describing his experiences as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War and his internment as as a POW in North Vietnamese prison camps including the Hanoi Hilton.

Here's an excerpt from Bob Jones West Point Oral History describing being shot down:

...on the way down I'm  looking around, and I look out on the horizon, and I see this airplane. It's a MIG, and I see a plane through the MiG and he's turning in on me, and I'm looking and I said this guy's gonna come and shoot me right out of this parachute, and here he comes. And I don't know if it was the guy that shot us down or one of the other ones, but he's coming right at my parachute.

So I'm sitting there thinking, well, we carried side arms. I had a little 38 pistol, and I pull out my 38 pistol, and I'm  hanging in the parachute, and I'm like this. And I'm thinking if this SOB is gonna shoot me, I'm gonna get some shots off at least here. Well, this little peashooter I got is gonna go out about 50 feet and do this. This guy's got a 20- millimeter cannon in his airplane, so not much of a challenge here.

But I'm sitting here like this and I'm thinking, well, I got tracers in my gun because we put tracers in them because there's very few times that we thought that you're gonna have a gun battle out there with somebody, but you're gonna use this gun to signal. If you go in heavy trees or something, you can signal and the tracer will go through the trees and the rescue people can find you, so I knew I had tracers in this gun. I had five tracers in the gun, so I'm thinking, well, if I shoot first, he's  gonna see this so maybe he's not gonna shoot me. I don't know. So I stood there like this and I think I'm gonna let him fire first and I'm gonna unload this gun off, whatever. So he goes right over the top of me and he was just kind of thumbing his nose at me, or whatever, I don't know, but he went flying by....

I highly recommend reading the full transcript or watching the video interview...

Also, watch this fascinating video from the West Point Oral History of Mr Wollen describing his 1964 student interview with President Dwight Eisenhower among other highlights

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 8:22:00 PM 0 comments

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Friday, September 17, 2021

Today Is 2021 National POW/MIA Recognition Day - POW/MIA Flag Flies Below US Flag Over Main Street Roosevelt Island Thru Efforts Of Resident West Point Grad & RIOC

The third Friday in September has been designated by Congress as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Have you noticed the black and white flag flying beneath the American Flag at the Roosevelt Island Blackwell Flagpole on Main Street
 

 and wondered what it was about?

According to the National League of POW*MIA Families: 

... The importance of the POW/MIA flag lies in its visibility as a constant reminder of America’s UNRETURNED VETERANS. Other than "Old Glory," our POW/MIA flag is the only flag ever to fly over the White House, first displayed in this place of honor by President Ronald Reagan on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 1982. 

On March 9, 1989, an official League flag – flown over the White House on National POW/MIA Recognition Day 1988 – was installed in the US Capitol Rotunda after legislation passed overwhelmingly during the 100th Congress. In a demonstration of further bipartisan Congressional support, the leadership of both Houses hosted the installation ceremony, at which Ann Mills-Griffiths, then League Executive Director, now Chairman of the Board/CEO, delivered remarks representing the POW/MIA families. 

The League’s POW/MIA flag is the only flag ever displayed in the US Capitol Rotunda where it stands as a powerful symbol of America’s determination to account for US personnel still missing and unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War. On August 10, 1990, the 101st Congress passed bipartisan legislation and President George H.W. Bush signed PL 101-355, recognizing our POW/MIA flag and designating it “the symbol of our Nation’s concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation”....

How did the POW/MIA Flag get raised on Roosevelt Island? 

It was on the initiative of Roosevelt Island resident Ross Wollen in 2017 with the assistance of former Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal and Director of Transportation Cy Opperman. Mr. Wollen, a resident of Rivercross for almost 40 years, graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point NY in 1965.Over the years Mr. Wollen has hosted West Point Cadets and his Classmates on Roosevelt Island as they visit NYC for various events and reunions.

Among his frequent guests is Robert Jones, a West Point Classmate and good friend who joined the US Air Force as a Fighter Pilot upon graduation, and like almost all of the members of the 1965 Class spent time in the Viet Nam War several years after leaving the Academy. Mr. Jones was shot down over North Viet Nam close to his final mission, severely injured, captured and spent over five years in captivity, as a POW at various prison camps including the infamous Hanoi Hilton. There he was quartered, when not in solitary confinement or being privately tortured, with the Navy pilot, former Senator John McCain.

Mr. Wollen wished to recognize and honor the service of his friend and West Point classmate, Robert Jones. According to Mr. Wollen in 2017:

It was in connection with Bob Jones latest visit to Roosevelt Island that RIOC was kind enough to add the POW-MIA Flag to the Main Street Round-a-Bout, just under Old Glory, as it flies all over the Country.
Image Of Bob Jones At Roosevelt Island Flagpole

Mr. Wollen often tells of Classmate Bob's then deadly serious but now delightful story of his interrogation by North Vietnamese captors. Jones was required at gun point to name his unit's several commanders and realizing he would be tested over and over so could not just make up names he couldn't remember, Jones volunteered the NY Yankee line up with which he was very familiar as a young New Jersey fan and having pitched against the Yankees when they played against Army at West Point in a pre-season exhibition game. Jones was challenged days later and specifically asked by a North Vietnamese interrogator the spelling of Jones' Flight Commander. Jones spelled out his Flight Commander - Yogi Berra. Yogi loved it when told the story in the 1990's.

Here's Mr.Wollen, Mr Jones and their West Point Classmate, US Marine Reg Dryzga

 Image Of Ross Wollen, Bob Jones & Reg Dryzga From Left To Right

at the Roosevelt Island Flagpole during a past visit.

The West Point Oral History Project has a fascinating interview with Mr. Jones


describing his experiences as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War and his internment as as a POW in North Vietnamese prison camps including the Hanoi Hilton.

Here's an excerpt from Bob Jones West Point Oral History describing being shot down:
...on the way down I'm  looking around, and I look out on the horizon, and I see this airplane. It's a MIG, and I see a plane through the MiG and he's turning in on me, and I'm looking and I said this guy's gonna come and shoot me right out of this parachute, and here he comes. And I don't know if it was the guy that shot us down or one of the other ones, but he's coming right at my parachute.

So I'm sitting there thinking, well, we carried side arms. I had a little 38 pistol, and I pull out my 38 pistol, and I'm  hanging in the parachute, and I'm like this. And I'm thinking if this SOB is gonna shoot me, I'm gonna get some shots off at least here. Well, this little peashooter I got is gonna go out about 50 feet and do this. This guy's got a 20- millimeter cannon in his airplane, so not much of a challenge here.

But I'm sitting here like this and I'm thinking, well, I got tracers in my gun because we put tracers in them because there's very few times that we thought that you're gonna have a gun battle out there with somebody, but you're gonna use this gun to signal. If you go in heavy trees or something, you can signal and the tracer will go through the trees and the rescue people can find you, so I knew I had tracers in this gun. I had five tracers in the gun, so I'm thinking, well, if I shoot first, he's  gonna see this so maybe he's not gonna shoot me. I don't know. So I stood there like this and I think I'm gonna let him fire first and I'm gonna unload this gun off, whatever. So he goes right over the top of me and he was just kind of thumbing his nose at me, or whatever, I don't know, but he went flying by....

I highly recommend reading the full transcript or watching the video interview

Also, watch this fascinating video from the West Point Oral History of Mr Wollen describing his 1964 student interview with President Dwight Eisenhower among other highlights.

President Joe Biden issued this proclamation on 2021 National POW/MIA Recognition Day:

When service members take an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States, they do so knowing that they may be called upon to make great sacrifices to ensure and sustain our shared values. These patriots accept those risks and rush to fulfill the mission, no matter how harsh or dangerous the conditions. They embody the best of the American spirit. For the families and friends who wait at home, anxious for news of their loved ones, these sacrifices can cause great pain. For the families of the more than 81,600 service members who remain missing in action — the pain and grief is compounded by a lack of closure, and the hope that their sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, parents, and grandparents will one day return home.

On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we remember the debt we owe to them and to their families. We pay tribute to our former prisoners of war and recommit to the difficult but essential task of seeking out answers for the families of those still missing. We will always remember and honor our Nation’s prisoners of war and those still missing in action, and keep faith with our promise as a Nation to bring all of our heroes home.

Every day, the iconic black and white flag — a powerful symbol in recognition of the heroism and sacrifice of American POWs and MIAs — is flown above the White House. It is a mark of reverence and of solidarity with all those who await answers. Each day, this flag flies over memorials and cemeteries, on military installations, at local post offices, and on the front lawns of homes across the Nation. This flag remains a symbol of America’s commitment to honor the sacrifices of all those who serve. 

My Administration is committed to recovering and identifying Americans missing from prior conflicts. Our efforts are global, and we are thankful for the continued cooperation of all partner nations who advance these humanitarian efforts on behalf of American families. Loss and grief are hard enough without the added and too often prolonged pain of uncertainty. But this much is certain: the United States will never abandon the search for our service members missing and unaccounted for in overseas wars. They will never be forgotten.

During National POW/MIA Recognition Day, our Nation conveys eternal gratitude to those who endured enemy captivity and those who made the supreme sacrifice and have yet to return home. We will stand with these heroes, who gave their all to protect and preserve our freedoms, and their families, who have kept the faith and longingly pursued answers across these many decades.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 17, 2021, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Along with my fellow Americans, I salute our former POWs who overcame unspeakable indignities to return home with honor. For those who made the ultimate sacrifice and never came home, America will work tirelessly to provide their families and our Nation the fullest possible measure of accounting. I urge all Americans to observe this day of honor and remembrance with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-sixth.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke today at the Pentagon on POW/MIA Recognition Day.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 4:29:00 PM 0 comments

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Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Veterans Day 2020, Thank You To All Members Of The Military For Your Service - US Army Field Band Sings America The Beautiful As Veterans Day Tribute

Today is Veteran's Day.

As a Veterans Day Tribute, the United States Army Field Band sings America The Beautiful.

 

According to History.com:

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as "the Great War." Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars...


For Veterans Day 2018, Roosevelt Island

honored some of our local veterans (approximately 300 veterans live on Roosevelt Island as of 2019)

during a ceremony organized by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC). 

If you know a Veteran or see one on the street today, please take a brief moment to thank them for their service to our country. Also, don't just thank them today but do it throughout the year and thank our active duty soldiers as well.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 7:25:00 PM 0 comments

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Friday, September 18, 2020

Today Is National POW/MIA Recognition Day - POW/MIA Flag Flying Below US Flag Over Main Street Roosevelt Island Thru Efforts Of Resident West Point Grad & RIOC

The third Friday in September has been designated as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Have you noticed the black and white flag flying beneath the American Flag at the Roosevelt Island Blackwell Turnaround on Main Street

and wondered what it was about?

According to the National League of POW*MIA Families: 

... The importance of the POW/MIA flag lies in its visibility as a constant reminder of America’s UNRETURNED VETERANS. Other than "Old Glory," our POW/MIA flag is the only flag ever to fly over the White House, first displayed in this place of honor by President Ronald Reagan on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 1982. 

On March 9, 1989, an official League flag – flown over the White House on National POW/MIA Recognition Day 1988 – was installed in the US Capitol Rotunda after legislation passed overwhelmingly during the 100th Congress. In a demonstration of further bipartisan Congressional support, the leadership of both Houses hosted the installation ceremony, at which Ann Mills-Griffiths, then League Executive Director, now Chairman of the Board/CEO, delivered remarks representing the POW/MIA families. 

The League’s POW/MIA flag is the only flag ever displayed in the US Capitol Rotunda where it stands as a powerful symbol of America’s determination to account for US personnel still missing and unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War. On August 10, 1990, the 101st Congress passed bipartisan legislation and President George H.W. Bush signed PL 101-355, recognizing our POW/MIA flag and designating it “the symbol of our Nation’s concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation”. 

On November 7, 2019, President Donald J. Trump signed PL 116-67, amending Title 36, Section 2 (Days on Which the POW/MIA Flag is Displayed on Certain Federal Property), and Subsection 902(c) (Days for Flag Display). For the purposes of these sections, POW/MIA flag display days are all days on which the flag of the United States is displayed.... 

As reported in September 2017:

How did the POW/MIA Flag get raised on Roosevelt Island? It was on the initiative of Roosevelt Island resident Ross Wollen with the assistance of Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal and Director of Transportation Cy Opperman.

Mr. Wollen, a resident of Rivercross for almost 40 years, graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point NY in 1965. Over the years Mr. Wollen has hosted West Point Cadets and his Classmates on Roosevelt Island as they visit NYC for various events and reunions.

Among his frequent guests is Robert Jones, a West Point Classmate and good friend who joined the US Air Force as a Fighter Pilot upon graduation, and like almost all of the members of the 1965 Class spent time in the Viet Nam War several years after leaving the Academy. Mr. Jones was shot down over North Viet Nam close to his final mission, severely injured, captured and spent over five years in captivity, as a POW at various prison camps including the infamous Hanoi Hilton. There he was quartered, when not in solitary confinement or being privately tortured, with the Navy pilot, now Senator, John McCain.

Mr. Wollen wished to recognize and honor the service of his friend and West Point classmate, Robert Jones.
According to Mr. Wollen:

Read more »

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 7:22:00 PM 0 comments

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Monday, May 25, 2020

It's Memorial Day, We Honor Men And Woman Of US Military Who Died Serving Our Country - Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park Perfect Spot To Remember Those Who Died To Protect Our Freedoms

Please take some time today on Memorial Day to honor the men and women of the United States Military who died while serving our country as well as their families.

The Coronavirus Pandemic has changed Memorial Day remembrances this year with no outdoor gatherings or remembrance ceremonies. According to the Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park:

We know that many Memorial Day ceremonies will not take place this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Veterans and their families are welcome to use the Park this Memorial Day as a quiet place to remember all the heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect our freedoms.
FDR Four Freedoms Park Conservancy Director Eduardo Jany adds:



By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 4:52:00 PM 0 comments

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Thursday, April 30, 2020

Wow, Wow Wow, - Incredible Video From Air Force Thunderbird Cockpit Flying Over Roosevelt Island, NYC East River Waterfront & Brooklyn Bridge With Blue Angels Honoring Coronavirus Health Care Workers And First Responders April 28



Here's the view looking up from Roosevelt Island rooftop and ground.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 4:19:00 PM 0 comments

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Tuesday, April 28, 2020

US Navy Blue Angels & Air Force Thunderbirds NYC Flyover Seen From Roosevelt Island Rooftop - Purpose Was To Salute Healthcare Workers, First Responders & Other Essential Personnel, What Do You Think?

Roosevelt Island rooftop was moderately crowded this afternoon from 12 -12:30 PM with building residents looking up into the sky watching for the US Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds fly over our part of NYC.

Here's what it looked like.



As reported yesterday, according to the US Defense Department:

In a show of national solidarity, the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, and the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, will conduct a series of multi-city flyovers over the next two weeks.

America Strong is a collaborative salute from the Navy and Air Force to recognize healthcare workers, first responders, and other essential personnel while standing in solidarity with all Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic....
But:

UPDATE 4:40 PM - Some more views of the flyover seen from Roosevelt Island.



By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 1:30:00 PM 0 comments

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Monday, April 27, 2020

US Navy Blue Angels & Air Force Thunderbirds Flyover New York City Tomorrow April 28 To Recognize Health Care Workers, First Responders And Other Essential Personnel During Coronavirus Pandemic - Roosevelt Island Will Have A Perfect View

 According to the US Department of Defense:

In a show of national solidarity, the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, and the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, will conduct a series of multi-city flyovers over the next two weeks.

America Strong is a collaborative salute from the Navy and Air Force to recognize healthcare workers, first responders, and other essential personnel while standing in solidarity with all Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re excited to fly over cities across America as our way of saying thanks to the healthcare workers, first responders, and all the people who selflessly run into the breach working to keep America strong,” said Gen. Dave Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and Adm. Michael Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is also our way of showing that we are all in this together and that America’s spirit will prevail.”

The two demonstration teams will fly over areas of the country hardest hit by COVID-19, starting next week as both joint and individual team flights occurring every one-to-two days until mid-May....
The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds will be flying over New York City tomorrow from noon to 12:40 and we on Roosevelt Island will have a great view.

Read more »

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 3:45:00 PM 0 comments

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Friday, September 20, 2019

POW/MIA Flag Joins US Flag Flying Over Main Street Roosevelt Island Thru Efforts Of Resident West Point Grad & RIOC - Today Is National POW/MIA Recognition Day


Below is a 2017 post about the Roosevelt Island POW/MIA Flag.

Have you noticed the black and white flag flying beneath the American Flag at the Roosevelt Island Blackwell Turnaround on Main Street and wondered what it was about?


The flag symbolizes the American Prisoners Of War and Missing In Action during the Vietnam War. According to the National League of POW/MIA Families:
In 1970, an MIA wife and member of the National League of POW/MIA Families recognized the need for a symbol of our POW/MIAs....

... Other than "Old Glory," the League’s POW/MIA flag is the only flag ever to fly over the White House, having been displayed in this place of honor on National POW/MIA Recognition Day since 1982. On March 9, 1989, a POW/MIA flag that had flown over White House on National POW/MIA Recognition Day in1988 was installed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda as a result of legislation passed overwhelmingly during the 100th Congress. In a demonstration of bipartisan Congressional support, the leadership of both Houses hosted the installation ceremony. On August 10, 1990, the 101st Congress passed U.S. Public Law 101-355, which recognized the League’s POW/MIA flag and designated it “as the symbol of our Nation’s concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation”....

How did the POW/MIA Flag get raised on Roosevelt Island? It was on the initiative of Roosevelt Island resident Ross Wollen with the assistance of Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal and Director of Transportation Cy Opperman.

Mr. Wollen, a resident of Rivercross for almost 40 years, graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point NY in 1965. Over the years Mr. Wollen has hosted West Point Cadets and his Classmates on Roosevelt Island as they visit NYC for various events and reunions.

Among his frequent guests is Robert Jones, a West Point Classmate and good friend who joined the US Air Force as a Fighter Pilot upon graduation, and like almost all of the members of the 1965 Class spent time in the Viet Nam War several years after leaving the Academy. Mr. Jones was shot down over North Viet Nam close to his final mission, severely injured, captured and spent over five years in captivity, as a POW at various prison camps including the infamous Hanoi Hilton. There he was quartered, when not in solitary confinement or being privately tortured, with the Navy pilot, now Senator, John McCain.

Mr. Wollen wished to recognize and honor the service of his friend and West Point classmate, Robert Jones.

Read more »

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 7:17:00 PM 0 comments

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Sunday, November 11, 2018

Roosevelt Island Honors Local Residents At Veterans Day Ceremony Yesterday - NYPD Honor Guard, Distinguished Speakers, Girl Scouts Recite Pledge Of Allegiance, Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance Children Sing Medley Of Patriotic Songs & More

Today, November 11 is Veterans Day.

 According to History.com:

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as "the Great War." Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars...
Roosevelt Island celebrated Veterans Day yesterday


with a ceremony honoring local veterans


organized by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) and attended by a standing room only crowd of residents of all ages.


The Roosevelt Island Veterans Day celebration speakers included RIOC President Susan Rosenthal, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Joel Evans, deputy commissioner of the NYS Division of Veterans Affairs; Lyn Johnson, USMC Veteran, MSW and Veterans Administration Outreach Specialist and RIOC) Board member and veteran David Kraut.

According to Mr. Kraut:
... I'm proud of my service. I'm proud of the service of all my brothers and sisters in arms over the years. As so you heard or figured out, we have served in every corner of the world defending the rights and freedoms that many Americans take for granted. ... I'm pleased and proud to be a resident and Board member of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp....


There were performances from the NYPD Honor Guard, the Main Street Theater and Dance Alliance and the Roosevelt Island Girl Scouts as well as food and refreshments catered by Nisi Restaurant.

The NYPD Honor Guard began the Roosevelt Island Veterans Day Ceremony with the presentation of Colors and singing the National Anthem followed by the Roosevelt Island Girl Scouts reciting the Pledge of Allegiance,



speakers,



Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance children, led by Director Kimbirdlee Fadner, honoring Roosevelt Island veterans with a medley of patriotic songs



and audience members recited names of Veterans they remember today.



The Roosevelt Island Veterans Day celebration began as an initiative from RIOC Director David Kraut, inspired by a suggestion several years ago by decorated World War 2 Veteran and Roosevelt Island resident Dominic Sciallo,


to establish a Veterans Center on Roosevelt Island.

Mr Sciallo passed away in 2015, but his suggestion of a Roosevelt Island Veterans Center may come to pass. RIOC is actively exploring ways to establish a Roosevelt Island Veterans Center.

The Twitterverse reports on the Roosevelt Island Veterans Day Celebration.


More on the history



of Veterans Day.

Thank you all for your service.

Kudos the RIOC for organizing Roosevelt Island Veterans Day Celebration.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 7:28:00 PM 0 comments

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Friday, September 15, 2017

POW/MIA Flag Joins US Flag Flying Over Main Street Roosevelt Island Thru Efforts Of Resident West Point Grad & RIOC - Today Is National POW/MIA Recognition Day

Have you noticed the black and white flag flying beneath the American Flag at the Roosevelt Island Blackwell Turnaround on Main Street and wondered what it was about?


The flag symbolizes the American Prisoners Of War and Missing In Action during the Vietnam War. According to the National League of POW/MIA Families:
In 1970, an MIA wife and member of the National League of POW/MIA Families recognized the need for a symbol of our POW/MIAs....

... Other than "Old Glory," the League’s POW/MIA flag is the only flag ever to fly over the White House, having been displayed in this place of honor on National POW/MIA Recognition Day since 1982. On March 9, 1989, a POW/MIA flag that had flown over White House on National POW/MIA Recognition Day in1988 was installed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda as a result of legislation passed overwhelmingly during the 100th Congress. In a demonstration of bipartisan Congressional support, the leadership of both Houses hosted the installation ceremony. On August 10, 1990, the 101st Congress passed U.S. Public Law 101-355, which recognized the League’s POW/MIA flag and designated it “as the symbol of our Nation’s concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation”....

How did the POW/MIA Flag get raised on Roosevelt Island? It was on the initiative of Roosevelt Island resident Ross Wollen with the assistance of Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal and Director of Transportation Cy Opperman.

Mr. Wollen, a resident of Rivercross for almost 40 years, graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point NY in 1965. Over the years Mr. Wollen has hosted West Point Cadets and his Classmates on Roosevelt Island as they visit NYC for various events and reunions.

Among his frequent guests is Robert Jones, a West Point Classmate and good friend who joined the US Air Force as a Fighter Pilot upon graduation, and like almost all of the members of the 1965 Class spent time in the Viet Nam War several years after leaving the Academy. Mr. Jones was shot down over North Viet Nam close to his final mission, severely injured, captured and spent over five years in captivity, as a POW at various prison camps including the infamous Hanoi Hilton. There he was quartered, when not in solitary confinement or being privately tortured, with the Navy pilot, now Senator, John McCain.

Mr. Wollen wished to recognize and honor the service of his friend and West Point classmate, Robert Jones.

Read more »

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 1:34:00 PM 0 comments

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Friday, October 19, 2012

West Point Band Performs At Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park Dedication

Image Of West Point Band At Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park Dedication

The United States Military West Point Band performed last Wednesday at the Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park Dedication Ceremony. Take a look and listen.



The Superintendent of West Point Lt. Gen David Huntoon attended the Dedication and is pictured below greeting former President Bill Clinton.

Image Of President Clinton and West Point Superintendent David Huntoon

Are you interested in learning more about the West Point Band? If so, here's some history of the West Point Band:
... With the establishment of the United States Military Academy in 1802 came an increased demand for military music. As the academy grew, it needed fifers, drummers and buglers to drill the new cadets and provide an audible order to their duty day. In 1817 the ensemble was named the “West Point Band,” and by this time was performing on a full range of instruments, which included two bassoons, two Royal Kent bugles, a tenor bugle, ten clarinets, three French horns, a serpent (an early bass horn), cymbals, a bass drum, eight flutes, and two trumpets.

Today’s band consists of four components: the Concert Band, the Jazz Knights, the Hellcats and Support Staff. They combine to form the Marching Band. The organization fulfills all of the official musical requirements of the Academy, including military and patriotic ceremonies, public concerts, sporting events and radio and television broadcasts, as well as social activities for the Corps of Cadets and the West Point community....
and one of the Band Members prior to playing on Roosevelt Island.

West Point Band Member on Roosevelt Island

More on West Point Band here and full Dedication Ceremony here.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 9:15:00 PM 21 comments

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