Lynch Triangle facts for kids
The Reverend Lawrence E. Lynch Memorial Triangle is a small park in Ozone Park, Queens, New York City. It's about 0.138 acres (0.056 hectares) in size. You can find it where Rockaway Boulevard, Atlantic Avenue, and 81st Street all meet. This park is special because it's named after Lawrence E. Lynch, a brave chaplain who served in World War Two.
The streets in this area were planned in a grid pattern a long time ago. But Rockaway Boulevard cuts across them at an angle. This created some triangular spaces that were too small to build on. So, these little triangles were turned into public parks, just like this one. In 1949, the city decided to name this particular triangle to honor Reverend Lynch.
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Who Was Lawrence E. Lynch?
Lawrence Lynch was born in Brooklyn in 1917. He was one of twelve children in a very religious Catholic family who came from Ireland. When he was young, he helped out at the St. Sylvester church. He became a priest in 1932 as part of the Redemptorist Order, a group of Catholic priests and brothers.
A Heroic Chaplain in World War II
During World War Two, Lawrence Lynch became a chaplain. A chaplain is like a spiritual leader or minister who serves in the military. He was assigned to the famous Fighting 69th Infantry of the National Guard. Soldiers gave him the nickname "Father Cyclone." He earned this name because he worked tirelessly to comfort injured and sick soldiers. He helped everyone, no matter what their faith was.
His Bravery and Sacrifice
Father Lynch was killed when he was 38 years old. This happened on April 25, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa. He was giving comfort and prayers to a dying soldier when he lost his own life. He was buried at the Redemptorist Cemetery in Esopus, New York.
Remembering a Hero: The Park's Rededication
Even though the park was named for Lawrence Lynch in 1949, the sign with his name disappeared. For more than 50 years, people forgot the honor. But in 2018, a man named Ed Wendell, who leads the Woodhaven Cultural and Historical Society, wanted to bring the honor back. He talked to Councilman Eric Ulrich about rededicating the triangle.
On March 10, 2019, the triangle was officially named for Reverend Lawrence E. Lynch again. There was a special ceremony to remember his brave actions during the war.
