Dear Editor,
On this profoundly significant day, 2-22-2022, on eve of the 52nd Republic Day Celebration, while traversing the area in front of the Stabroek Fire Station, I paused and pondered, “This area should be enshrined as Firemen’s Square.” Notwithstanding the title, this designation in no way impugns female firefighters’ contribution, for on a daily basis, because in many instances, “She is the Man!”
Noticing “Rank and File” fire personnel standing before the Station, I approached, and without introducing myself simply stated, “Good Morning Gentlemen, this area should be christened or renamed ‘Firemen’s Square.’” Of course, I did not follow up with the need for a double statue of male and female fire-combatants in full fire-fighter battle regalia. That will come later! Unquestionably, we must forever remain cognizant, when unfortunates run away from the burning fires, these Heroes and Heroines, run towards the inferno to combat and extinguish it. And the females are right there! These gallant and essential warriors very often save lives! Thus, Firemen’s Square of that Stabroek area is a fitting tribute and inspiration to compensate for that never-ending challenge we come, with heavy expectations, to depend so heavily upon.
In response to my suggestion, one of the officers who seemed to concur, responded: “Since this is your idea, you should write a letter to the Editor.” In modesty, I responded, “I don’t have the standing.” To which he rebutted, “As a born Guyanese citizen, you do have such a standing!” Later, in reflection, I agreed!
As such, and to begin, I was born in Guyana at 26 North Road, Lacytown, between Camp and Alexander Streets, across from the Waterworks where I swam with many other youngsters.
I attended St. Barnabas School and was a Choir Boy at St. Barnabas Church. I played cricket and football in “Bourda Pasture.” At St. Barnabas School, opposite from Dr. Lutchmansingh’s Pharmacy on Regent Street, Bourda, where my grandmother Cherise Preville accompanied me every day as a youngster, to be instructed by Mrs. Ifill, Mrs. Lester, Mrs. Goodchild, Mr. Cort and Mr. Fung-On, Headmaster; who, even when the school teams won at cricket or football, never “Spared the ‘Wild Cane’ Rod.” These wonderful teachers were all instrumental and inspirational educators of great compassion with a desire to see their young charges succeed in becoming good, Guyanese, citizens.
In the teachings and philosophical encouragement of these saintly souls as committed public servants, even as true visionaries who lavished time, effort and care and concern on students as myself, Vibert Gibson, James Bazile, Leonard Fredericks, the Maxwells, the Selmons, the Beharrys, the Cottons, Dona Gill, Mavis Fowler, Robert Changsoon, Sandra Critchlow, Beverly White and her sister, as we were kept in line by Officer “Wheels” Harding who had a beautiful daughter, and Selma Damon, among others, their efforts were well worth it. They taught us, ‘reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic; but more important, good citizenship and moral responsibility for, as all good teachers, they sought to instill in their students, in addition to good grades and good behaviour, the tools and a cultivated vision upon which a success of life is based. More important, it was a time when the “Christmas School Dance” was a “Big thing!” These were fun-filled days of youthful indiscretion, viz., “scult” from school, “sell Marbles to Sue at the ‘Middle,’ buy a ‘Chinee’ and go to “1:00 PM Matinee” at Globe, Astor, Metropole, Strand, and sometimes even Plaza theaters.” That is history; but the boy on the “41-Bus” told me he is in “Form 4” but, “They don’t teach us history.” What a tragedy!
At 17-years old, I was chosen and trained at Carnegie Institute on D’Urban Street to be a Waiter at the Independence Dinner at Queen’s College on May 26, 1966. I served the Royal Table with distinction which was communicated to Prime Minister L.F.S. Burnham. The great and visionary leader’s response was, “Boy, you are good! We have to give you a medal,” which I never received!
I departed for America on March 9, 1969 to pursue an education at an early and challenging time for immigrants. Fortunate for me, that St. Barnabas and then Guyanese College under Dr. Davis and his brother’s “grounding,” Mother Mitta Monderson and Grandmother Cherise Preville who walked me to school every day and instilled quintessential self-respect, self-discipline and self-love in which such “elder wisdom” proved a buoy in time of serious challenge. In addition, collectively such upbringing experiences together with and even more important, possessing a desire for betterment, particularly a similar challenge for youth today, proved a dynamo of analectic propulsion that manifested in an unbelievably hard-earned education; for, with seven University Degrees, perhaps one of the top 5 in the world. Ha! Ha! Ha!
Resident in New York State for more than 50 years, I served the City of Brooklyn cumulatively for more than 100-years! Viz., 26 years as an educator in college, high, middle and primary schools; 30 years as a member of Brooklyn’s Community Board 8; 22 years as Chairman of Transportation and Traffic Committee after having been Chairman of Sanitation, Environment, and Co-Chair of Parks and Recreation, respectively. As Transportation Chairman, I changed or co-named some 15 streets for local heroes including St. Johns Place and Washington Avenue as “Fireman’s Corner” for the 10-Firemen our Board lost on “9-11;” served 24 years on Kings County Hospital Corporation Community Advisory Board serving one term as Chairman of the body in which I proposed the HHC “Marge Matthews Health Care Advocacy Award” and the naming of the Marge Matthews Board Room at Kings; 15 years on Susan Smith McKinney (now McKinney) Hospital Board, serving two terms as Parliamentarian; served 3 – 2 year terms as Brooklyn’ Solid Waste Advisory Board (SWAB) (Recycling) Secretary; ran for School Board in 1986 and nearly won a seat, then was elected County Committeeman for the 10/43 New York State Assembly in 1988; served 30 years as my Block Association President and for 15 years sponsored Fathers’ Day in the Park at Brower Park; As Transportation Chair, I was dubbed “Mr. Angle Parking” because I changed several “wide Streets” to accommodate more parking slots to benefit Brooklyn Children’s Museum.
Of course, I published more than 1000 articles in the New York Black Press, the Daily Challenge, the Afro Times and the New American Newspapers. Presently some 30-odd books on Amazon.com bear my name including Guyana: Land of Beauty and Many Waters, now in the Collection of the National Library on Main Street, and in addition two dozen YouTube videos.
Perhaps my most accomplished task was as Chairman of “The Bones Committee” that returned the “Runaway Samuel Carson,” the enslaved African who ran away from slavery in South Carolina and fought in the War with Mexico in 1844, was killed and buried in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, then a segregated Black Cemetery. This historic event that challenged the “Door of No Return” by opening the “Door of Return” became the highlight and symbolic basis upon which Ghana’s President Jerry Rawlings inaugurated the First Emancipation Day Celebration on August 1, 1998. President Rawlings even stated to Sonny Carson while in Ghana, the African in America is Africa’s “Trojan Horse.”
Therefore, Editor, I must humbly admit, I do have the standing to propose the area fronting the Stabroek Fire Station be named Fireman’s Square.
I often visit my native country incognito but this challenge has forced me to come out from under the radar.
While we’re at it, and having read the laudatory tribute to Professor Dr. Joycelynne Loncke, daughter of Guyana, intellectual giant and extraordinary citizen, I also propose that the area of Queen Street, so many years her domicile, how about “Queen Joycelynne Loncke Street,” a “co-name” with a twist, for what other fitting tribute and message of recognition of service and integrity can be bestowed as an example of long-haul attainment that will inspire for many years to come.
Back in 2016 when I visited Guyana, and waxing philosophically, I mused, how wonderful it felt, for with so many others launched and bid farewell to the Ship of State on its maiden voyage and to see it return triumphant 50 years later, was and like so many other Guyanese I savoured too that precious moment.
Dear Editor, please support giving the Firemen and Prof. Loncke, their just reward which is “Firemen’s Square” and “Queen Joycelynne Loncke Street.” Let us take advantage of this opportunity and not let it go by way of “not saving St. Barnabas Church,” an institution of significant Guyanese cultural history.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Fred Monderson
