The Throggs Neck Business Improvement District will host a special celebration commemorating America’s 250th anniversary on June 14.
The event, which will also mark Flag Day, is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. at DeRosa-O’Boyle Triangle and will feature live entertainment, food, children’s activities, giveaways and community organizations.
A centerpiece of the celebration will be the unveiling of the first three veterans memorial planters along East Tremont Avenue. The project will eventually include 25 planters displaying photographs of 50 members of the armed forces from the Throggs Neck community, including deceased veterans, living veterans and active-duty service members.
Once all of the planters have been installed, a map will be created identifying each honoree’s location so friends and family members can visit and pay their respects.
“It’s the honor of the Throgs Neck BID to be able to commemorate and honor our veterans in this way, and we are going to continue moving forward and do more as we go along, but this is a great start,” said Bob Jaen, executive director of the Throggs Neck BID, a veteran himself
The initial installation will honor 50 veterans, but the BID plans to expand the memorial in the future by adding additional planters so more veterans from the Throggs Neck community can be recognized.
The memorial unveiling will take place at 3 p.m. at DeRosa-O’Boyle Triangle, across from Patricia’s Pizza of Tremont.
In addition to the ceremony, attendees can expect live music, food, bouncy houses, slides and toys for children. Community organizations will also host tables offering information and free giveaways.
The event has been several months in the making, according to Jaen, and Desiree Sanchez, a newly elected board member who oversees community events.
The BID plans to continue recognizing the nation’s 250th anniversary throughout the year. Its annual gala on Oct. 22 at Villa Barone Manor will incorporate an America 250 commemoration while honoring community leaders and members of the NYPD for their service.
Reach Marina Samuel at msamuel@schnepsmedia.com. For more coverage, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!
