The stories behind the plaques

Anyone who has spent some time on the Long Beach boardwalk has more than likely interrupted a walk, run or bike ride to read some of the hundreds of plaques mounted on the benches that line the structure. And reading has more than likely led to wondering about the people memorialized there. What were they like? What happened to them? What do the ribbons, balloons and other decorations that festoon some of the benches signify?

These are questions that Oceanside resident Jeff Singer wants answers to.

Singer, a retired New York City teacher who enjoys speed-walking on the boardwalk, is working on a project that he refers to as “the bench book,” tentatively titled “A Guide to the Long Beach Benches,” which he hopes will bring to life the people honored on all those plaques.

“There are over 700 benches, and on each of them is a plaque dedicated to a loved one with a short message — a poem sometimes; a few lines of love and remembrance at other times,” Singer said. “All in all, it’s a very poignant and moving experience to read them.”

Many of the benches are dedicated to loved ones lost on 9/11, which, collectively, Singer said, “is probably one of the largest and most unique memorials anywhere.”

He said he is reaching out to the plaque dedicators, asking for a thumbnail sketch and photos of those they have honored. “Many times I’ve looked at the scores of dedications on the plaques, and I know thousands of people have done the same,” Singer said. “It occurred to me, why couldn’t we do a guide so people could get an idea of who [someone] was or whose lives you can connect with? It would make it more real.”

Singer said that he shared his idea with Mike Robinson, the city’s director of community development, about five months ago.

“I thought it sounded like a good idea,” Robinson said. “We get tons of requests for benches, so people might enjoy it.”

Legally, Robinson said, the city could not provide Singer with the records of those who purchase the plaques — they cost $2,700 — so an announcement about Singer’s project was posted on the city’s website.