QUEENS STREET NAME STORIES

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This project won a first-place award in the College Media Association's Best Multimedia Feature Story category.

Queens Street Name Stories is an oral history and audio documentary project based in the Corona, Jackson Heights and East Elmhurst neighborhoods of Queens, New York.

It tells the personal stories behind local place names through interviews with family, friends and colleagues of local residents who were honored with a public space named after them posthumously.

ARMY STAFF SGT ALEX JIMENEZ WAY 104TH STREET AND 37TH DRIVE Alex Ramon Jimenez Duran (1982 – 2007)

Maria Del Rosario Duran described her first son, Alex Ramon Jimenez Duran, as the leader of the family. Alex was a Staff Sergeant for the U.S. Army who pursued a career in public service. On May 12th, 2007, Alex’s unit was captured by enemy forces in Jurf al-Sakhar, Iraq, after they were attacked. His body was recovered in Iraq on July 8, 2008, confirming his passing 14 months after the capture.

Maria talks about the time her son described why a career in the military attracted him.

Interview with Maria Del Rosario Duran (mother of Alex)

Interview Full Transcripts Street name: Army Staff Sgt Alex Jimenez Way Interviewee: Maria Del Rosario Duran Interviewer: Gabe Rodriguez-Tossas Text in red is the original transcript from Spanish interview

Well, my Name is Maria Del Rosario Duran. Pues mi nombre es María del Rosario Duran.

Alex was my first son. My first dream. His full name is Alex Ramon Jimenez Duran. Alex fue mi primer hijo. Mi primera ilusión. Su nombre correcto es Alex Ramon Jiménez Durado.

Alex was born in Flushing Hospital, at Flushing Hospital. On April 4, 1982. Alex nació en el hospital Flushing, en el Flushing Hospital. El 4 de abril de 1982. Nació aquí.

For Alex the most important thing is family. He was very special with me, very affectionate. Para Alex lo más importante es la familia. Él era muy especial conmigo, muy.

He was also a good student. When he finished high school he said “Mom, what interests me is the Army, and I want to be there to defend those children who cannot defend themselves and to fight for the country for freedom.” and that later, when he finished, he wanted to study to join the FBI, that was his greatest dream. Alex fue también buen estudiante, desde que terminó la highschool dijo “mami, Lo que a mí me interesa es el Army, y quiero llegar hasta ahí para defender aquellos niños que no se pueden defender por ello mismo y a luchar por el país por la libertad” y que luego, cuando él cumpliera, irse a estudiar para el FBI, era su mayor ilusión.

And he was always attentive and calling his brothers, you know? Because when it’s daytime there (Korea) here it’s nighttime, he called like that. I would be asleep at that time. “Wake up, wake up, Alex is calling.” Haha Y siempre era atento y llamando a los hermanos. Sabes Porque cuando allá es de día, aquí de noche, llamaba así. Estaba ya yo durmiendo. “Despierta despierta que Alex está llamando.” Jaja

The first time he arrived from Korea, that was a huge celebration. We had a party, a good meal and he was happy with his family. La primera vez que llegó de Corea, eso fue una algarabía muy grande. Hicieron una fiesta, una buena comida y es feliz con su familia.

“Alex is coming, Alex is coming” and they all gathered here, you know. Every time he arrived he was like a leader, the leader of the family, he enjoyed it. “Viene Alex, viene Alex” y se reunieron todos aquí ya tú sabes. Cada vez que llegaba era como un líder, el líder de la familia.

Alex has remained and will always remain in our hearts. In our memory, he will never be forgotten. Alex ha permanecido y permanecerá siempre en nuestro corazón. En nuestra memoria, nunca será olvidado.