by Susannah Oliveira
This plaque was placed in memory of a man who died in combat serving in Iraq.
PS 69 a local school in Jackson heights wanted to commemorate the life of US Army Specialist Jonathan Rivadeneira was born on December 31, 1984 and died September 14, 2007. Councilman Danny Dromm, Rivadeneira’s mother, and members of the PS 69 school community gathered together to dedicate this in his memory. Principal Martha Vazquez honored him because he was a graduate of PS 69, they were grateful for his service in the army. They placed the plaque near the school’s “peace pole,” a monument to peace outside the school. The plaque was donated by the Jackson Heights Beautification Group. Not only did they place this plaque outside but they also hung a portrait of Rivadeneira inside PS 69. He was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and died from wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat.
He was buried in his hometown at Saint Michaels Cemetery East Elmhurst Queens County New York, US
Posted: April 28, 2017