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Excerpts from a CUNY College of Staten Island history studies essay co-authored by C.O. Motchan's daughter, Kathleen Dory, and Maryann E. Ruggiero. According to The New Oxford Dictionary of English, a memorial is “something, especially a structure, established to remind people of a person or event.”
For a web page with the full annotated text of the 19-page paper that covers various historical considerations about memorials in general as well as details about a spontaneous Staten Island 9/11 memorial, unrelated to correction history specifically as such, click the above image.
If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, click here for a 158 Kb PDF version. Every one of us encounters certain “markers” of the past that help us remember and give meaning to our lives. Graves, cemeteries, monuments, and religious places of worship are all examples of such “markers”. . . . .
Memorials focus on certain people or events and the place that a memorial is constructed is just as important as the people or events themselves. Memorials become landmarks that provide a symbolic place for remembrance. . . .
In writing this paper, . . we were determined to understand why memorials were first constructed and which people or events they were built in honor of? . . . . These commemorations are intimately tied to . . . heroic symbolism; they can also instill a sense of community. . . . .
The officials or soldiers who attend or perform at these official ceremonies are usually in the same position as those who have been killed . . . These heroes paid a high price; they gave their life. The commemoration or monument constructed for them only represent their silenced “voices”. . . .
The two most common memorials are Spontaneous and Traditional.
Spontaneous memorials are a first reaction to the unanticipated and violent loss of life. They can be the limited, personal expression of the family and friends who placed flowers, candles, stuffed animals, and notes on a tree by the roadside where a fatal accident occurred. In the case of September 11th, spontaneous memorials grew in thousands of places at the same time. . . .
Traditional monuments move through a much more formal process of creation in the search for something everlasting. They involve the raising of funds, the forming of committees, and the selecting of designs . . . . Traditional monuments involve the role of the individual in society and their defining element is the underlying beliefs that these monuments represent.
The others from left to right are: Jenny Vasaturo, C.O. Motchan's sister-in-law; DOC Capt. Joseph Vasaturo, his nephew; NYPD P.O. Bill Owens, a family friend; "Dolly" Motchan, George's widow; retired NYPD P.O. Bill Dory, his son in-law; C.O. Motchan's daughter Kathleen Dory, and his granddaughters, Eileen and Kelly Dory. Simply, these traditional monuments suggest that the individual’s character, honesty, as well as one's unselfish contribution to society can make a difference and are worthy of this memorial . . . .
My father has received many Traditional Memorials from the New York City Department of Correction for being a hero. I will briefly try to explain why this man was honored in so many ways.
On September 9, 1975 my life was forever changed. An escaping prisoner shot Correction Officer, George Motchan, my dad . . . . On September 15, 1975 he died, because of the injury. He was the first officer killed in the line of duty in over two and one half decades. When he was alive, he touched many people’s lives. He is forever remembered in the hearts of his loved ones and co-workers every day. Because of the Department of Correction honoring him with Traditional Memorials, George Motchan’s name continues to live on with honor.
Just to tell you a little about this “hero” of mine, my dad: He may have looked like your average man, but inside you would find a man with extraordinary qualities. He had a charismatic personality. He was a good friend to whoever he met. If you were lucky enough to meet and speak to him, you would remember him forever. He left a lasting impression with people. His treatment of people was always fair. Maybe it was his sincere smile, his stature or his thoughtfulness. Maybe it could have been his wit. Whatever the case may have been, people truly loved this wonderful man and were drawn to him.
When the Verrazano Bridge was first built, my family was one of the many Brooklynites to move to Staten Island. My dad was so excited about the move. He felt he was providing his family a home in a country surrounding. He was so proud to be a “Staten Islander”.
On September 9, 1975, my dad went into work and worked the 12x8 shift. The night had been quiet. He was about just about to leave work and go home, when one of the officers working the 8x4 day shift needed to take off. My dad, being himself, volunteered to work that shift for him.
All the printed program's texts, images and lists of honorees and promotees appear on the next page, Part 12, of The Continuing C.O. George Motchan Story. Its link is at the bottom of this page.
My father was working with his steady partner, Correction Officer Joseph Connors. Their assignment was to escort the inmate, Joseph James to Kings County Hospital to care for his teeth. During their visit to the hospital, Inmate James asked to be taken to the bathroom. Unfortunately, what both officers did not know was that James’s girlfriend had planted a gun in the bathroom toilet tank.
When the inmate asked to go to the bathroom, my dad escorted him in. My father had no weapon, however, Officer Connors did. It was standard procedure for one officer to be armed and the other with the prisoner to be unarmed. James came out of the bathroom stall with the gun pointed at my dad. He told my dad to call his partner into the bathroom.
My dad did call his partner into the bathroom. As Officer Connors was opening the door, my dad quickly pushed it shut and yelled “Joe, he has a gun”. My father was able to get off a warning seconds before the bullets severed his spine, causing him to fall to the floor lifeless.
Thinking my father was dead; James then fired a shot through the wall striking an innocent female patient. He pulled open the door and shot Officer Connors. James then tried to shoot Connors in the face. God must have been watching because the gun misfired. James then ran out of the hospital to a car his girlfriend was waiting in. . . . days after his escape, James was recaptured. . . . .
The Motchan Family now lacks a husband, a father, grandfather, and friend. All they have are the memories of a man who wanted to help everyone. We believe that his soul is somewhere helping someone right now.
On July 12, 1978, nearly three years after dad died, my family, friends, and fellow officers gathered on Rikers Island to see the unveiling of the street named after him, “Motchan Drive”. The Department Honor Guard stood at attention under a warm midday sun and the firing detail saluted with three volleys. A trumpeter played Taps while the gathering of over two hundred people paid silent tribute to “my hero.”
Commissioner Ciuros, said,”Nothing that we do or say will fill the emptiness that his family, friends and fellow officers feel.
“But there is solace in the memory of his courage and goodness and in the knowledge that the example of his actions make us more thoughtful, diligent, and proud to be New York City Correction Officers”
All the printed program's texts, images and lists of honorees and promotees appear on the next page, Part 12, of The Continuing C.O. George Motchan Story. Its link is at the bottom of this page.
Peter Tufo, the Chairman of the New York City Board of Corrections also said, “George Motchan unselfishly demonstrated the Correction Officer’s dedication to preserving public safety and order in New York City. In dedicating this drive on Rikers Island to George Motchan, we are recognizing not only his heroic efforts but also recognizing through his example the heroic efforts of the City.”
This memorial was the first of its kind and we felt so honored to be a part of it. Our family finds this situation difficult to explain; one day we were a typical nuclear family, and the next, we were “famous” due to the selfless efforts of our father/husband.
Eleven years later, on June 12, 1989, we were welcomed back to Rikers Island for the unveiling of a bronze plaque mounted near the entrance of building C-73. The beautiful plaque reads, in part “This facility is dedicated to the memory of Correction Officer George Motchan who valiantly gave his life in the line of duty.”
There were hundreds of people at this special event. I remember it like it was yesterday. Bagpipes played as I headed to my seat in the front row. I felt so proud to be the daughter of this fine man as such admirable words were spoken of my father. I was truly honored when I noticed the letters “GDMC” in large blue letters on the huge building. All the Correction Officers who worked in that building also wore “GMDC” on their collars. GDMC stands for “George Motchan Detention Center”.
I remember saying to myself, “Wow, that’s my father’s building!” His name was everywhere. “George Motchan Detention Center” was even written in big bold orange and blue letters at the entrance to the building. Then tears came to my eyes when I saw his picture and name posted on the wall; this time his name was written in Big Gold letters. There are no words to explain the feelings I felt. My family and I were truly honored with this great tribute.
In mid-May 1998, a ceremony was held in Washington D.C. marking the inscription of additional names on the National Law Officers Memorial wall. At that time, my dad’s name was added to this Memorial Wall. Designed by Davis Buckley, the Traditional Memorial sits on three acres of Federal Park land called Judiciary Square at E Street between 4th and 5th Streets NW. The site has served for some 200 years as the seat of the nation’s judicial branch of government. Plush carpets of grass, nearly 60,000 plants and 128 trees decorate the grounds.
All the printed program's texts, images and lists of honorees and promotees appear on the next page, Part 12, of The Continuing C.O. George Motchan Story. Its link is at the bottom of this page.
In April, some 15,000 orange and yellow daffodils make the site one of Washington D.C.'s most spectacular attractions. Bordering the beautifully landscaped park are tree-lined “pathways of remembrance” where the names of the fallen officers are engraved. We are so proud to have my dad’s name included on The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall. This wall was dedicated back in 1991 by then President George Bush. The wall honors all of America’s federal, state and local law enforcers. On the blue-gray marble walls are the names of more than 14,000 officers killed in the line of duty, dating back to the first known death in 1794. 11
On July 6,2001, the Correction Department once again honored my dad with another Traditional Memorial. Within the “GMDC” building, a renovated auditorium was dedicated in my dad’s name. They called this the “George Motchan Ceremonial Hall”. Along with the dedication of the hall, we all saw a Promotion Ceremony take place. It was beautiful to see. My mother had the honor of cutting the ribbon, which signified the opening of the new auditorium.
In the auditorium there was a plaque which read, ”Correction Officer, George Motchan 1930-1975, A True Hero. A Noble and Humble Man, An Outstanding Officer, Who Laid Down His Life In the Line of Duty”. In the program, there was a short story about what happened to my dad. It also said how highly respected my dad was. It also said how everyone who had the personal and professional pleasure to work alongside of him misses him.
On October 4, 2002, once again the Department of Corrections asked my family to join them in another Traditional Memorial. This time it was in the Meier’s Corner section of Staten Island. Outside our family’s church (St. Rita’s), at the intersection of Bradley Avenue and Westwood Ave, a new street sign reads, “C.O. George Motchan Corner”.
Ed Connors, who is a Correction Officer and a fellow St. Rita’s parishioner, is the one who is most responsible for getting this traditional memorial established. (He has no relations to my father’s partner Officer Joseph Connors) At the time C.O. Ed Connors initiated the idea of this street corner naming, he was a stranger to our family. He recognized my family’s picture from an article, which was written, about a prior memorial in my father’s honor. Being a Staten Islander himself, he thought it would be wonderful for our family to have a memorial right here on Staten Island where we would always be able to see it.
In addition to hard work to make the street naming occur, Officer Connors also arranged to have the St. Rita’s school children present at the dedication so that they too would always memorialize my father. It was so nice to see these innocent young children learn about the history of the man of whom this street corner was named. Once a stranger, Officer Connors is now a family friend and we are very grateful for his determination to make this happen.
His intentions of having this memorial placed on Staten Island, near our family church, was done so for my family’s sake; he wanted us to have a place close to home where we could most appreciate it.
All the printed program's texts, images and lists of honorees and promotees appear on the next page, Part 12, of The Continuing C.O. George Motchan Story. Its link is at the bottom of this page.
I don’t believe he is aware of the true importance it holds in my heart. It is true that my family is able to appreciate this memorial everyday, but to me, it’s real significance lies in the fact that my father was so happy to be a Staten Islander. Although he only lived on this great island for 8 years, he will forever be a part of it, thanks to Ed.
At the street naming ceremony, bagpipers played and over one hundred Correction Officers were also in attendance. So many times, I wanted to express to the Department of Correction our thanks. At all the other memorials, I wanted to get up and thank the Department of Correction for all their memorials but couldn’t. This time, I did it. I expressed how thankful we were that they continue to honor my father even after 27 years. Wow.
We are so grateful for all the wonderful dedications; however, this one will definitely have the greatest impact on my family.
I went on to explain how this memorial is practically in our own backyard, right beside our family’s church.
We’ll see it every single day. Now all of our friends and family will also have the opportunity to experience those tremendous feelings that we have encountered on a daily basis.
To some, it is just a street sign on a pole. Hundreds of cars pass it every day not knowing who C.O. George Motchan was. To us, this little sign is a huge reminder and memorial honoring my father. After receiving so many wonderful memorials from the Department of Correction because of my dad’s heroism, this one is the most heartfelt.
Because of my dad’s heroism, the department of Correction honored him by creating so many wonderful tributes and memorials in his honor and memory. There is not a day that goes by that I am not filled with pride. These Traditional Memorials enable me to remember, pray as well as mourn in my own way and I am truly appreciative of that. . . .
On Staten Island, we also have examples of have another type of memorial. It is a Spontaneous Memorial created in the honor and memory of all the fallen heroes who perished on that unforgettable day September 11th, 2001. This memorial is known as “Angels Circle.” It is located in Grasmere at one of the busiest intersections between the corner of Fingerboard Road and Hylan Blvd. This small parcel of land was nothing more than a dusty traffic island.
For a web page with the full annotated text of the 19-page paper that covers various historical considerations about memorials in general as well as details about a spontaneous Staten Island 9/11 memorial, unrelated to correction history specifically as such, click the above image of the "Angel Circle."
If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, click here for a 158 Kb PDF version. For all of the time, dedication, and hard work Wendy Pellegrino has given to the Angels Circle, she has recently received a very special award. She was honored with the Women of Achievement Award 2003. Knowing the person that Mrs. Pellegrino is, she was very touched by this honoring of her.
Staten Island is made up of many close knit communities; it is a borough comprised of people from all nationalities, and various economic and religious backgrounds who have bonded together to express their thanks and love to the many fallen heroes. Losing a family member or someone that is close is a heart-wrenching situation that no one intentionally chooses to go through.
These tributes or memorials, whether they are Traditional or Spontaneous, create a common area of testament. It is here that anyone, whether family members or visitors from other countries, can come to mourn, remember, honor, or view on common ground. Memorials pay tribute to our heroes and all that are honored; they become shrines showing that our heroes never died in vain.
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