NYC Parks Joins Family of Vietnam Veteran for Park Renaming Ceremony in Brooklyn

NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey today joined City Council Member Alan Maisel, the family of Vietnam veteran John P. Salogub, Father Edward Kane of the Holy Family Roman Church, local community leaders and residents to unveil new signage for the official renaming of a Greenstreet park in Salogub's honor.

"It is wonderful to be able to honor such a distinguished man by renaming this Greenstreet in his honor," said NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey. "This place will go on to serve as a testament to all he has done both for his country and for the borough of Brooklyn. John Salogub was a dedicated community leader and advocate and he will be remembered forever."

"John Salogub was a great community leader who really cared about the people of Canarsie," said Council Member Maisel. "Such great service should be remembered and honored."

"John was my first born and I adored him," said Mary Salogub, John's mother. "I am so proud of who he was and all that he accomplished. I love him so, and miss him each and every day."

A lifelong resident of Canarsie and local activist, John P. Salogub devoted his life to his family and the surrounding community. He was particularly involved in youth sports, and organized summer baseball programs for both boys and girls for several years, while working as a leader with the 69th Precinct Community Council. John was also a member of the Canarsie Lions Club, receiving their Community Advocate Award for his dedication.

A veteran of the Vietnam War, Salogub served with honor and distinction, and was awarded the Silver Star and a Purple Heart for his actions. Upon returning home, he served as Post Commander with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 59, and was an active member with American Legion Post 573. Each year, Salogub helped organize the local Memorial Day parade, where he marched alongside fellow veterans. Later in life, John became a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

This Greenstreet extension was funded in two phases by Councilmember Alan Maisel with generous allocations of $100,000 and $86,000.

Greenstreets is a citywide program to convert paved, vacant traffic islands and medians into green spaces filled with shade trees, flowering trees, shrubs, and groundcover.