Marine Park honors local heroes at annual Veterans Day ceremony – Brooklyn Paper

Community Event Report: Veterans Day Ceremony in Marine Park

Event Overview

• Objective: To conduct the annual ceremony honoring the service and sacrifice of men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Location: Carmine Carro Community Center, Marine Park, Brooklyn.
• Stakeholders: Local residents, community leaders, elected officials, and veterans.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The ceremony demonstrated a strong alignment with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing the community’s commitment to building a peaceful, just, and inclusive society.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The event directly supports SDG 16 by honoring the individuals who have served in institutions designed to protect peace and justice. Key contributions include:

  • Strengthening Institutions: The recognition of veterans reinforces the value of public service and the institutions responsible for national and community safety.
  • Promoting a Culture of Peace: As noted by honoree Marty Maher, “Nobody hates war more than the veterans.” The ceremony serves as a platform to reflect on the sacrifices made to achieve peace.
  • Sustained Public Service: Assembly Member Jaime Williams highlighted that many veterans continue to serve their communities in civilian roles within the FDNY and NYPD, contributing to effective and accountable local institutions.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The gathering contributes to making the community more inclusive, safe, and resilient. Key aspects include:

  • Inclusive Public Spaces: Holding the event in a public park at a community center promotes universal access to safe and inclusive green spaces (Target 11.7).
  • Strengthening Social Cohesion: The ceremony brings together diverse community members and leaders, fostering social integration and strengthening community bonds.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The event provides an informal educational opportunity to promote values essential for global citizenship and sustainable development (Target 4.7).

  • Civic Education: The speeches and recognitions serve to educate the community, particularly youth, on the principles of civic duty, selflessness, and service.
  • Youth Engagement: The example of honoree Anthony Caputo, an Air Force veteran who, as an Eagle Scout, restored POW/MIA flags, illustrates a pathway from youth civic action to national service, aligning with the educational values promoted by Commissioner Maher.

Key Speakers and Statements

• Assembly Member Jaime Williams: Emphasized that the service of veterans is an ongoing commitment that frequently continues in civilian life, reinforcing the foundation of strong community institutions (SDG 16).
• Brooklyn Parks Commissioner Marty Maher: A 27-year Coast Guard veteran, he spoke on the profound sacrifices made by service members. He connected the core principles of the Boy Scouts of America—”duty to country, duty to others, and duty to self”—to the values embodied by veterans, highlighting a framework for lifelong civic engagement (SDG 4).
• Other Officials: State Sen. Roxanne Persaud and Community Board 18 District Manager Sue Ann Partnow also delivered remarks acknowledging the courage and contributions of veterans.

List of 2025 Honorees

The following individuals were recognized for their distinguished service and continued dedication to the community:

1. Marty Maher
2. Rudolph A Bryant
3. Anthony Caputo
4. Rudolph D. Late
5. Bernard Santangelo

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights issues and activities that are primarily connected to two Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This goal is central to the article’s theme. The event described is a Veterans Day ceremony, which honors individuals who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. This directly relates to the institutions responsible for maintaining peace and national security. The article’s focus on honoring service, sacrifice, and the defense of “the nation’s freedoms” aligns with the principles of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies. The quote from veteran Marty Maher, “Nobody hates war more than the veterans,” explicitly connects the event to the theme of peace.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article describes a local community event where “Marine Park residents and local leaders gathered.” This focus on community cohesion, social inclusion, and the use of public spaces for civic engagement connects directly to SDG 11. The ceremony takes place in a public park and community center, reinforcing the role of these spaces in community life. Furthermore, the article highlights how veterans continue to serve their communities in civilian roles (“FDNY, NYPD,” “Boy Scouts of America”), which contributes to building safe, resilient, and sustainable communities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. While the article does not discuss reducing violence directly, it honors veterans who have participated in conflicts (e.g., the “Persian Gulf War”). The ceremony itself, by reflecting on the costs of war and honoring those who served, implicitly promotes a culture of peace, which is a foundational element for achieving this target.
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The event is a clear example of participatory community life. The presence and speeches of local leaders such as “Assembly Member Jaime Williams, State Sen. Roxanne Persaud, Brooklyn Parks Commissioner Marty Maher and Community Board 18 District Manager Sue Ann Partnow” demonstrate a responsive and representative engagement between public institutions and the community they serve.
2. Under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces. The article explicitly mentions that the ceremony took place in “Marine Park” and behind the “Carmine Carro Community Center.” This demonstrates the use of public green spaces and community facilities as venues for inclusive cultural and civic events, which is the core of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article, being a news report, does not provide quantitative data but implies several qualitative indicators for measuring progress:

• Indicator for Target 16.7: The organization of an “annual Veterans Day ceremony” serves as an indicator of recurring, participatory community events. The active participation of multiple elected officials and community leaders (“Assembly Member,” “State Sen.,” “Parks Commissioner,” “Community Board 18 District Manager”) indicates the level of responsive and inclusive governance at the local level.
• Indicator for Target 11.7: The use of “Marine Park” and the “Carmine Carro Community Center” for a public gathering is a direct indicator of public spaces being utilized for community and cultural activities. The gathering of “residents and local leaders” shows that these spaces are accessible and serve their intended inclusive purpose.
• Implied Indicator for Community Cohesion (SDG 11): The article highlights the “continued dedication to the community” by veterans. Specific examples, such as a veteran’s 45-year involvement with the “Boy Scouts of America” and others serving in the “FDNY, NYPD,” can be seen as qualitative indicators of active citizenship and volunteerism, which are essential for building strong and sustainable communities.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: brooklynpaper.com