Meng and Grodenchik Remember 9/11 with New American Flag for Bayside Senior Center

QUEENS, NY – New York City Council Member Barry Grodenchik (D-Oakland Gardens) and U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) joined the Bayside Senior Center yesterday for a special 9/11 ceremony in memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

To commemorate the occasion, Meng and Grodenchik presented the facility with a new American flag.

While many flew their American flags proudly on Memorial Day, the members and staff of the Bayside Senior Center were looking for the person who stole theirs. They had a flag up year round and all who entered the senior center saw this beautiful exhibition of American pride and patriotism. Unfortunately, in early May the flag was taken.

When Grodenchik was notified about the missing flag, he contacted Meng, and the Congresswoman arranged for a new flag to be flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of the senior center. She and the Council Member provided the flag to the facility yesterday, and as a result the senior center did not have to go through its 9/11 tribute without a flag. The two lawmakers presented the flag to Program Manager Pang Chu and Advisory Board President Doris Polansky.

"The theft of this flag was terrible and shame on the thief who stole it," said Meng. "I'm pleased to have been able to replace it with a brand new flag so that the stars and stripes can proudly fly again over the Bayside Senior Center."

"I thank the Bayside Senior Center for informing me that the flag was missing and Congresswoman Meng for securing a new flag right away," said Grodenchik. "As we remember the fallen heroes of 9/11, Old Glory flies once again at the Bayside Senior Center."

See attached photo of Meng and Grodenchik presenting the flag to the Bayside Senior Center.