Courtesy JASA
The Rockaway Park Older Adult Center hosted a Veterans Day celebration honoring local veterans, including Linda Gree, a retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant.
By MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
In a tribute to local veterans, the JASA Rockaway Park Older Adult Center hosted a special Veterans Day celebration last month, recognizing the service and sacrifices of men and women who have served in the armed forces, including Linda Green, a distinguished local veteran. The event, held just days before Veterans Day, not only highlighted the veterans’ heroic contributions but also emphasized the lasting impact they continue to have on their communities.
JASA, a leading organization that has been serving older adults in New York City for more than 50 years, provides critical services to over 40,000 individuals each year. With its commitment to fostering independence and dignity for seniors, JASA has become a lifeline for older New Yorkers, offering a wide range of services from housing and home care to legal aid, health services, and social programming. At the heart of JASA’s mission is the belief that aging is an opportunity to continue living with purpose, and the Rockaway Park Older Adult Center is a prime example of this ethos.
The Rockaway Park center, like JASA’s 17 other Older Adult Centers across New York City, serves as a hub for seniors to socialize, engage in educational and cultural activities, and receive a nutritious meal in a supportive environment. On this occasion, the center hosted a special ceremony to honor its veterans, providing a space for them to come together and be recognized for their invaluable service. The event included speeches, presentations, and a heartfelt moment of silence in remembrance of those who had passed.
Among the veterans celebrated was Linda Green, a long-time Rockaway Park resident and a retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant. Linda’s life story is one of determination, service, and community involvement, and her journey from a young woman in Queens to a decorated military leader is a testament to her resilience and dedication to helping others.
Born in Jamaica, Queens in 1950, Linda moved to Far Rockaway in 1959, where she would live for most of her life. Growing up in a close-knit family, she describes her upbringing as “good” and “lovable,” surrounded by two supportive parents and a doting grandmother. However, like many young people, Linda faced the challenge of finding a meaningful career path after high school. It was during this period that she decided to enlist in the U.S. Army, a decision that would change the course of her life.
“I had a good upbringing. Two lovable parents, very good upbringing. Grandmother, very good. At the time, I was job hunting, ” Green said. “Something told me to give the military a try. I was 30 years old when I enlisted. It wasn’t the usual age for someone to join, but it felt right, and I’m glad I made that choice.”
Courtesy Linda Green
Green’s decision to join the Army in 1980 was a pivotal moment in her life. Over the next 22 years, she served in various roles, ultimately retiring as a Master Sergeant in 2002. During her service, Linda worked in several capacities, but she is especially proud of her work as a liaison for military chaplains. In this role, she helped coordinate religious services for service members of all faiths, ensuring they could practice their beliefs in a respectful and supportive environment.
“I worked with the chaplain to set up ceremonies—whether it was Baptist, Jewish, or other services. It was about making sure people had the spiritual support they needed while they were away from home,” Green said. “It was something very good to do for people, and I liked It.”
Green’s work wasn’t confined to just one job in the military; her responsibilities were diverse, ranging from organizing religious ceremonies to managing logistics for military personnel. Despite the often demanding nature of her role, Green said she found fulfillment in helping others navigate the complexities of military life, offering support when needed, and ensuring that they had access to the resources they required.
After retiring in 2002, Green transitioned from military service to community service. She remained committed to helping others, particularly veterans and those facing serious health challenges. One of her primary outlets for service has been through knitting and crocheting for various causes, including the American Cancer Society and veterans’ organizations. Green and a group of dedicated women work together to create blankets, hats, and scarves for cancer patients, as well as red, white, and blue items for veterans.
“What I’ve been up to is I knit and crochet for the Cancer Society,” Green said. “I crochet hacks for the kids children. I make blankets for the kids and I knit the cotton hats for the cancer patients. That’s what I do. That’s what I’ve been doing since I’ve been out.”
Green’s charitable work doesn’t stop there. She has also been involved in supporting local veterans’ events, including an upcoming celebration for disabled veterans.
As a member of the Rockaway Park Older Adult Center, Greea’s efforts to support veterans are not only personal but also part of a larger community of seniors who gather regularly to participate in social activities, enjoy hot meals, and support one another through life’s challenges. The center offers a “home away from home” for seniors, with a robust array of programs designed to keep them active, engaged, and informed.
The Veterans Day event at the Rockaway Park Older Adult Center was a testament to the importance of community, memory, and service. The center’s warm, welcoming environment allowed veterans like Green to reflect on their time in service, share their experiences with others, and feel appreciated for their contributions.
In Green’s case, the recognition she received at the Veterans Day celebration was a moment of shared pride—not just for her military service but for the ongoing role she plays in her community. “It was a very nice event,” Green said of the ceremony. “We had a lot of veterans there, and it was nice to see people appreciate what we did, even if some people didn’t realize we were veterans.”
Green’s pride in her service is palpable, and it extends to her entire family. “I’m proud to be a veteran,” she said. “My father was a veteran, my brothers were veterans.”
