It was another feather in this hero’s cap.
The city dedicated a small Canarsie park to the memory of life-long resident and Vietnam veteran John Salogub on Nov. 17. Salogub spent his days in service to family, community, and country, the area councilman said.
“John Salogub was a great community leader who really cared about the people of Canarsie,” said Councilman Alan Maisel (D-Canarsie), who attended the ceremony. “Such great service should be remembered and honored.”
That morning, in a small angled crop of grass and trees located between Paerdegat Avenue North and E. 77th Street, friends, family, and city officials convened to rename the space John P. Salogub Triangle.
Born to Mary and Philip Salogub in 1948, John shipped off to fight the Viet Cong as a young man. An injury earned him a Purple Heart, and his valor earned him the Silver Star, the third-highest military decoration available to a member of the United States Armed Forces.
After his return, Salogub served as Post Commander of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 59 on E. 95th Street, and was an active member of the American Legion Post 573 on E. 92nd Street.
Salogub would go on to pitch in with the 69th Precinct Community Council, where he served as president for a spell.
He died from ocular melanoma at the age of 63.
Salogub touched lives across the community, but his heart always laid with his family, which misses him dearly, his mother said.
“John was my first born, and I adored him,” said Mary Salogub. “I am so proud of who he was and all that he accomplished. I love him so and miss him each and every day.”
