Generally Speaking: Fort Hamilton marks POW/MIA Recognition Day

Fort Hamilton joined U.S. military bases and naval ships at sea around the word in commemoration of National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

President Barack Obama issued a presidential proclamation declaring September 20 as POW/MIA Recognition Day. He also ordered government officials to fly the black and white POW/MIA flag over the White House, the Capitol Building and other federal facilities.

In his proclamation, the chief executive states, We raise this flag as a solemn reminder of our obligation to always remember the sacrifices made to defend our nation.

Inside the Jackson Room at Fort Hamilton, Colonel Eluyn GinesGuest speakers were retired Sergeant Harold RadishMichael Stinnett * * *

As far as kids go, throughout the greater Bay Ridge area, it’s the countdown to the 47th annual Children’s Ragamuffin Parade, on Saturday, October 5, starting at 1 p.m. The popular, colorful kiddy march will once again be along Third Avenue from 76thto 92nd Street.

A note to parents: if your child has not received one of those bright orange colored registration formsfrom his or her local school, registration will also take place on the day of the parade in the school yard of OLA/Holy Angels Academy, on 74th Street just off Third Avenue, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

There are no entry fees and every costumed child that marches in the parade will receive a free gift. If you need additional information, call 718-307-7855.

Ragamuffin President Colleen Golden did a splendid job emceeing and introducing the two honorees at the parade group’s annual fund-raising luncheon, this year’s Grand Marshal, Community School Superintendent Karina Costantino and 2013 Ragamuffin Man of the Year Frankie Marra.

Golden did not acknowledge the elected officials whowere preparedto praise the honored guests and give brief remarks about how important this annual major youth event isto all ofus but she did allow them as a group to come forward and give the honorees citations and certificates, though she did not introduce them to the audience.

For the record, they included Congressmember Mike GrimmMarty GoldenNicole Malliotakis and City Councilmember Vinnie Gentile.

We were delighted to hear Marra, during his remarks, promise to do everything in his power to ensure the Ragamuffin parade continues as an annual tradition, as well as Brooklyn’s oldest continuous Memorial Day Parade.He strongly urged everyone to encourage friends and others tocome out to and support these parades.

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This past Sunday, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz held the annual Brooklyn Book Festival downtown with thousands attending and over 300 authors participating in presentations, readings and book signings.

We attended one of the special programs in the library at the Brooklyn Historical Society on Pierrepont Street. Here we met award-winning author Lois Lowry who has written over 40 books. Lowry told us she spent her early childhood in Bay Ridge and lived on 87th Street at the time. She is now a resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

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The Bay Ridge Historical Society held its September meeting at the Shore Hill Neighborhood Center with Paul and Inna TrinidadTheir talk, Toys from Our Past and Present, was a winner, with members of the audience sharing their favorite childhood toys. They also spoke about the history of some of the world’s most popular toys and what’s grabbing the attention of today’s youth.