One Brooklyn
BROOKLYN, NY, October 12, 2018: Today, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Council Member Alan Maisel unveiled a street co-naming in honor of United States Army Sergeant Roshain Euvince Brooks, a 30-year-old resident of Canarsie and paratrooper assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division who was killed in the line of duty on August 13, 2017 while deployed in Iraq. Sergeant Brooks was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and Combat Action Badge. Borough President Adams and Council Member Maisel joined in asking the City Council to grant this tribute, and on July 29th of this year the bill that stipulated the street co-naming for the corner of Avenue L and East 85th Street was enacted on law. Borough President Adams and Council Member Maisel co-hosted a community ceremony along with members of Sergeant Brooks’ family and local leaders like State Senator Roxanne Persaud and Assembly Member Jaime Williams.
“We as Americans are able to sit under the tree of freedom because Sergeant Brooks watered that tree with his blood and sacrifice,” said Borough President Adams. “There is nothing more profound than a man or woman who adorns a military uniform and puts himself or herself in the path of harm to fight for those things we hold dear and precious. In Sergeant Brooks’ loss, he gives us all life. We are proud of him, and this street co-naming will cause everyone who walks down this block to realize that a great soldier was on this block. Let him forever be in our hearts and our minds.”
“Although this is a small consolation to the Brooks family who has lost so much, it is only fitting and proper that we dedicate this street in honor of American hero Sergeant Roshain Brooks,” said Council Member Maisel. “His ultimate sacrifice to our country should never be forgotten, and the memory of Roshain Brooks will forever be a part of New York City history.”
“We would like to thank Council Member Maisel and Borough President Adams for their commitment in making this street dedication in memory of our son Roshain a reality,” said the Brooks family in a joint statement. “This has been a very difficult time for our family; however the continued love and support we have received from the community has been heartwarming. Thank you and God bless you all.”
Sergeant Brooks was born on March 25, 1987 in Manchester, Jamaica to Elaine Robinson and Evince Brooks, and was the oldest of four siblings. He immigrated to the United States at the age of 13, and in 2010 he moved with his family from Florida to Canarsie, where he became an American citizen. His desire to serve his new country led him to join the Army in 2011. In preparation for the rigors of the military, he started his own training in Seaview Park to enhance his strength and endurance. Sergeant Brooks was first deployed to Afghanistan from June to November of 2014 for combat. He was completing his second deployment in Iraq where he was killed while he and his unit were transporting explosives. He leaves behind his 14-month-old daughter Anneilia, among other family members, friends, and fellow soldiers.
“I commend my colleagues Borough President Adams, Council Member Maisel, and fellow members of the City Council for approving this important street co-naming,” said State Senator Persaud. “Sergeant Roshain E. Brooks made the ultimate sacrifice for the country that he loved, his adopted country of the United States of America. His commitment highlights the important contributions of immigrants in American society. May his family find some comfort in this honor bestowed on him.”
“The appreciation we must show to our armed forces is beyond any words I can offer, the men and women who are on the front lines protecting and preserving our democratic ideals are truly courageous and heroic,” said Assembly Member Williams. “When one such individual such as Sergeant Roshain E. Brooks makes the ultimate sacrifice, it is with the greatest of pride I can be part of a ceremony honoring the efforts and dedication Sergeant Brooks made. While we will certainly mourn Sergeant Brooks’ sacrifice, we will always be reminded of Sergeant Brooks’ courage when we walk along the streets of Brooklyn. The effort put forward by Borough President Adams’ office and Council Member Maisel are to be lauded for their assistance in making sure all are aware of the dedication Sergeant Brooks possessed and showed for our great nation.”
“When Council Member Maisel and Borough President Adams asked CB 18 for permission to name the intersection of East 85th Street and Avenue L for Sergeant Brooks, it was both hard and easy,” said Sol Needle, chair of Brooklyn Community Board 18 (CB 18). “It was easy in the sense that the answer was an obvious and enthusiastic yes. But it is always hard when a family and a community loses a courageous patriot and a son and brother in the line of duty. Hopefully, neighbors will look up at this sign and understand the sacrifices that were made by Sergeant Brooks to keep us all safe.”
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