By CHRISTIAN SPENCER
news@queensledger.com
The 31st Annual Queens Flag Day Committee B.A.D.G.E. Awards was not only a celebration of active military and civil service members but also a solemn remembrance of those still missing in action.
Held at Douglaston Manor on Juneteenth, the black-tie event took place in an elegant venue with roots dating back to its days as a horse stable.
Uniformed members of the NYPD, U.S. Marines, and other branches filled the ballroom, joined by community leaders, families, and elected officials.
Many guests arrived in formal black attire and gathered to honor the men and women who continue to serve, protect, and, most notably, sacrifice.
This year, a total of 18 individuals received awards, including two U.S. Army soldiers, one Marine, one Airman, one Coast Guardsman, nine NYPD officers, one FDNY firefighter, and a sheriff. Superintendent John Addeo and Wendy Phaff Gennaro were honored with the Public Service Award for Sanitation and the John J. Farrell Sr. Memorial Award, respectively.
“This is the first time I’ve ever been awarded something like this,” Addeo said. “It feels truly blessed to be honored. I really appreciate it.”
A 21-year veteran of the New York City Department of Sanitation, Addeo has worked across every neighborhood in Queens. “Every day working in Queens — every neighborhood — I’ve worked,” he said proudly.
As The Queens Ledger previously reported, the 2024 Queens Flag Day had 16 honorees.
The night featured a wide array of awards presented to a diverse group of distinguished honorees, but one stood out for an act of heroism that set him apart.
Lieutenant Ari A. Cankul of the 102nd Precinct was personally praised by First Deputy Commissioner of the NYPD Tania Kinsella, speaking on behalf of Police Commissioner Jessica Tish.
He was honored with a Public Service Award for his swift and composed response in a harrowing case that unfolded on Nov. 29, 2024, when a car thief in South Richmond Hill unknowingly drove off with a 4-year-old girl asleep in the back seat of a red Acura.
The car had been parked near 101st Avenue and 131st Street when it was stolen, triggering a frantic search, according to The New York Daily News.
Within 20 minutes, and just five blocks away, officers led by Cankul recovered the vehicle by tracking an iPad that was in the girl’s possession and safely rescued the unharmed child, according to ABC Eyewitness News.
“As a mother, I cannot express the amount of gratitude I feel for that,” Kinsella said during the awards ceremony. “He brought someone’s baby home.”
Runners-up for the most recognized Public Service Award were Officers Robert Greco and Shawn Rogers of the 106th Precinct with the latter relocating to the 116th Precinct, credited with apprehending a suspect who had stabbed two individuals on Aug. 5, 2024.
The pair pursued the assailant to a local train station, where he was found hiding in the vents.
“They attacked with great tactics and were able to get the individual back on the platform and place him under arrest,” their commanding officer, Captain Berkley K. Vantull, said. “Thanks to these officers’ courageous work, you can just imagine how many countless lives that they saved.”
Greco, speaking humbly and unscripted at the podium, said, “Me and my partner, Officer Rogers, we weren’t even partners. We were just together for the day. But he did what we took our oath to do. If someone’s going around randomly attacking innocent people in New York City, we’re going to go out there and we’re going to go.”
Representing the U.S. Marines, Sergeant Sebastian Andagoya was also honored for his outstanding service.
“It was a pleasure,” Andagoya said of the recognition. “I’m born and raised here in New York and I’m able to influence a lot of individuals such as the NYPD, FDNY, and all these first responders here.”
He also had a message for aspiring Marines: “Just be confident in what you do and everything will help you out in the long term. As in, if you’re confident with whatever you end up doing, I promise you you’ll be successful later down the road.”
Another highlight was the presentation of the John J. Farrell Sr. Memorial Award to Gennaro, who works as the director of development for the Queens Center of Progress and is a member of Queens Community Board 8, honoring her years of community service.
The evening opened with a symbolic Missing Man Table ceremony, commemorating those who never returned from duty: the white tablecloth, the slice of lemon, the inverted glass, the empty chair, and the candle, as a bugler played Taps in the background.
Emily Nieman, a board member of the Queens Flag Day Committee, explained the emotional and logistical effort behind the event.
“It takes a year,” Nieman said. “We no sooner finish than within a month we start all over again. We contact all the military and civil service divisions and ask them who they would like to honor. Because they tell us. We feel it’s more personable when they do it that way. They know who should be honored.”
Nieman, a former FEMA associate, said her experience working with first responders deepened her respect for their sacrifices.
“No matter how many times you say thank you, it feels like it’s not enough. So if you can do a little bit more to make people aware of what they sacrifice… It’s the families too. The families serve as well.”
The diversity of the crowd, spanning generations and ethnicities, is a reflection of Queens.
“Let’s be honest. This is Queens, and this is the city; you don’t have one group of people. We’ve got eight and a half million people. Not everybody’s the same. I think we should show who we are. And I think it shows here,” Nieman said.
The event at Douglaston Manor was fully funded by sponsors, including several Queens-based businesses such as a local repair service and a barbershop.
While the venue typically charges $98 per guest for its summer promotions—and wedding or large event rentals can range from $6,000 during the off-season to $7,500 at peak—attendees did not pay a cent. Everything was covered, allowing honorees and guests to enjoy the evening of a three-course meal free of charge.
“As we honor these officers, all members of public service and members of our military, let us renew our commitment to the values that unite us. And what better time to do it than on a day when we celebrate our beautiful flag. I’d also like to thank our families that’s here, our friends, and our leaders. We don’t do things alone, so behind every achievement is a network of support. So let’s keep working together, looking out for one another, and remembering what our flag stands for. Thank you for being here, and thank you for your service,” Kinsella said.
