“What could this small triangle of land possibly signify?” you might ask yourselves. This is Lynch Triangle. It is more than just a small park. It is a memorial to a local hero.
Lynch Triangle is located at the intersection of Rockaway Boulevard, Atlantic Avenue, and 81st Street in Ozone Park, Queens. This small area of 0.138 acres was designated as a public plaza. The streets here were laid out in a grid. Rockaway Boulevard cuts through it diagonally.
In 1949, the city dedicated this triangle to Reverend Lawrence E. Lynch. He was a Woodhaven resident. He served as a chaplain in the Pacific Theater during World War Two.
Lawrence Lynch was born in Brooklyn in 1917. He was one of twelve children. His parents were Irish immigrants. Lawrence was ordained as a priest in 1932.
During World War Two, Lynch was assigned to the Fighting 69th Infantry. He became known as Father Cyclone. He worked tirelessly to comfort the injured. He helped those of all faiths.
Father Lynch’s energy and enthusiasm earned him this nickname. A biography was written about him called Father Cyclone.
Brigadier General Julius Klein recalled Father Lynch’s zest for justice. Lynch stormed into his office fighting for a Jewish soldier. He felt the soldier had been unfairly passed over for promotion.
General Klein said it never mattered to Father Lynch what a soul was. He said that to him each human being was simply a child of God.
In September 1944, Father Lynch tended to the mortally wounded on a rescue ship. He offered comfort. He held their hands.
One of the dying sailors was Jewish. He asked for a rabbi. None were available. Father Lynch held his hand and recited a prayer in Hebrew. The young soldier died just as Father Lynch finished the prayer.
Father Lynch received five citations for bravery. He was unafraid of the hazards of war.
On April 25, 1945, Father Lynch was killed during the Battle of Okinawa. He was administering Last Rites to a dying soldier when a shell struck. Father Lynch was 38 years old.
After the war, a piece of land was set aside as a memorial. A triangle at Atlantic Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard was dedicated in his honor in 1949.
Over time, the sign disappeared. People forgot about Father Lawrence Edward Lynch.
In 2018, Ed Wendell approached Councilman Eric Ulrich. Wendell wanted the triangle rededicated for Lynch.
On March 10, 2019, the triangle was officially named for Lynch. The ceremony commemorated his actions during the war.
Today we remember Father Lawrence Edward Lynch. We honor his bravery and selflessness. Lynch Triangle stands as a testament to his service. It reminds us of a local hero who gave his life for others. Take a moment to reflect on his legacy.