Text and Photos by Daniel Krieger
Locals, veterans, city officials, Navy and Marine Corps officers in town for Fleet Week, the press, and others who wanted to join a Memorial Day observance gathered on a sunny, breezy morning at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument on Riverside Drive and 89th Street.
Vets in uniform were handing out American flags. The crowd cheered when the U.S. Marine Corps Band began playing and cheered again when three fighter jets roared overhead, amplified by the mic at the podium. The ceremony was replete with patriotic speeches and patriotic music, such as God Bless America.
“I can’t believe how many people are here,” said a woman looking for a seat.
Two elderly veterans sitting under a tree were talking shop. “The military today isn’t what it used to be,” said one, whose hat identified him as a Korean War veteran. “There needs to be a draft,” said the other, whose jacket indicated he had been in Vietnam.
Another attendee was Madeline Gunther, a longtime Upper West Sider sitting solo in the shade. “It’s an American thing, a family thing and a neighborhood thing all in one,” she said of the ceremony and mentioned that both her parents were World War II veterans. She added that she was pleased that money had been allocated this year to restore the monument, which was fenced in six years ago due its precarious state. “This monument should have never been allowed to fall into decrepitude,” she said.
The 96-foot high temple-like structure, fashioned out of marble and granite, went up in 1902 in remembrance of Union Army soldiers and sailors who served in the Civil War. The large plaza surrounding it, which was restored in 2008, has been used for tai chi classes, the performance of Shakespeare and the setting of TV shows such as Sex and the city and Law and Order. Of the 800 or so monuments in New York City, the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument is among the largest and is just one of five with official landmark status.
The numerous speakers of the day included Mayor Eric Adams, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and Council Member Gale Brewer, who opened with a lighthearted comment that referred to a common complaint among Upper West Siders, saying to the speaker who preceded her: “I want you to know admiral, we love your planes, it’s just the helicopters that are the problem.”
Reading from prepared remarks, Brewer explained that her passion to restore the monument stems from the need to remember those who gave their lives for the country and what we gained from their sacrifice. She mentioned that her father and husband are veterans and that 20 years ago it was a World War II veteran who created the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Association to revive the annual ceremony and restore the monument. “He’s not here because he’s on a cruise,” she said.
Brewer led the effort to get the money to restore it, starting three years ago with the formation of a coalition. “Today it is my tremendous honor to formally announce that thanks to Mayor Eric Adams, $62.3 million has been secured in this year’s budget to restore and preserve the monument,” she said. “Please thank him with your greatest applause.”
Loud cheering ensued as the Mayor walked over and shook her hand.
$62.3 MILLION????
You could gild it entirely in gold and it wouldn’t cost $1 million. Contractors for the city and their families and politicians are getting rich off taxpayers and nobody bats an eye.
Very funny. Hopefully the structure doesn’t collapse before restoration. Sad sight, really. Shout out to Brewer for plugging getting rid of helicopter traffic that has unfairly abused this neighborhood for YEARS.
Although the Mayor gave a rousing speech about patriotism, the loudest round of applause went to DA Alvin Bragg ;>)
Were you at the same ceremony I was at? Where I was sitting, I heard quite a few people booing when Bragg was announced.. Several stood and turned their backs.
He’s not the cause of the crime going on in the City, but Bragg certainly makes it easy for career criminals to continue on their crime sprees.
Am I the only one who thought the Parks Commissioner’s closing “Have a happy Memorial Day” was bizarre? HAPPY Memorial Day? Although that seemed to fit with the confused character of the entire event–was it a party/celebration or a memorial?
Sorry to hear you were upset by the Parks commissioner’s greeting.
Memorial Day and Memorial Day Weekend are mixed events: somber memorial, patriotic expressions, gatherings of families communities, and the start of the summer, maybe even a BBQ…..a real slice of life. It’s not disrespectful to say “have a Happy Memorial Day”, the day is a respectful remembrance, and it is not a funeral….we take the time to respect and remember.
Well, it’s an automatic comment. But, it shouldn’t be sad, but rather a celebration of the life of military personnel, not their deaths. Although it would be wonderful if someday man outgrows the need for war, but that hasn’t happened in the past 10,000 years of recorded history. I do wonder if going forward, AI might work on it.
Beautiful photos. Appreciate this coverage, Daniel and WSR.