THE WALL OF FACES

The war may be forgotten but the warrior will always be remembered. All gave Some-Some gave All. Rest in peace Sky Soldier.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

On behalf of those who served with you in the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) and all who followed, we offer our respect and remembrance of your ultimate sacrifice. May you never be forgotten and your family and friends take comfort in your valor in serving.

Strack and Perez now linked by tragedy, valor, by Ed Wendell, Forest Hills Times, Feb. 13, 2018.
Lawrence Strack and Anthony Perez; one young man laid down his life for his country, the other laid down his life for a friend.
These two noble souls will be linked together forever after last week’s tragedy, when 11-year old Anthony Perez died saving his friend at the icy pond in Forest Park named after Private First Class Lawrence Strack, who was killed in action in Vietnam fifty-one years ago at the age of 18...

Read more: Forest Hills Times - Strack Perez now linked by tragedy valor

PFC Lawrence Strack Meadow, Forest Park, NY
This meadow honors Private First Class Lawrence George E. Strack (1948-1967), the first Woodhaven resident to die serving in the Vietnam War. Strack was born on June 15, 1948 and attended P.S. 171, J.H.S. 64, and Franklin K. Lane High School in Woodhaven. An avid athlete, he was member in several athletic teams, but his favorite sport was baseball. Strack participated in many local baseball teams, including the Cypress Hills Bombers in 1961, the Little Fellers League from 1962-1963, the Rich-Haven Little League in 1964, and the Independent Youth League in 1965, where he won the Double Crown for the most runs batted in and the most valuable player.
On March 2, 1966 Strack enlisted in the United States Army. He went through basic training in Fort Gordon, Georgia, and received his paratrooper training in Fort Benning, Georgia. Strack returned to Woodhaven to marry Theresa Shannon, his childhood sweetheart, before he was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Nicknamed “The Sky Soldiers,” the 173rd Airborne engaged in the only combat parachute jump in Vietnam, known as Operation Junction City. Strack died in combat on March 3, 1967 in the South Vietnamese province of Tay Ninh. He posthumously received the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, and New York State Conspicuous Service Medal, the Bronze Star with “V” for Valour, and the Purple Heart.
In 1966, Parks constructed the Twin Fields baseball diamonds on this site, bounded by Woodhaven Boulevard and Forest Park Drive. Strack’s parents were both members of American Legion Post 118, and with the organization’s support sought to name a field in their son’s honor. Council Member Arthur Katzman introduced the legislation to have one of the newly constructed fields named for Strack and the City Council passed it unanimously on October 10, 1968. PFC Laurence George E. Strack Memorial Field was dedicated on February 11, 1969.
Official Website of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation