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Memorial Day at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument

May 29, 2023 | 5:02 PM - Updated on June 3, 2023 | 11:44 PM
in HISTORY, NEWS, REAL ESTATE
9
The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, where everyone stood for a moment of silence.

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.

Veterans in uniform were among the attendees.

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.

The U.S. Marine Corps Band opened and closed the ceremony.

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.

Dozens of Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corp officers, who were in town for Fleet Week, were in the crowd.

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.

Mayor Eric Adams spoke of his 19-year-old uncle who died in the Vietnam War and his pride to be American; and he praised members of the military as well as the police, calling them “the armor that protects us.”

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.

City council member Gale Brewer, who led the effort to get money for the monument’s restoration, said that it’s important to honor those who sacrificed their lives for the country.

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.”

Veteran organizations and heritage groups lay wreaths at the entrance of the monument to honor the veterans of America’s wars, though the memorial itself was erected in remembrance of Union Army soldiers and sailors who served in the Civil War.

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.

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Kit
Kit
2 years ago

$62.3 MILLION????

10
Reply
Tom
Tom
2 years ago
Reply to  Kit

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.

9
Reply
Rhonda
Rhonda
2 years ago
Reply to  Tom

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.

1
Reply
Terence
Terence
2 years ago

Although the Mayor gave a rousing speech about patriotism, the loudest round of applause went to DA Alvin Bragg ;>)

6
Reply
Janis
Janis
2 years ago
Reply to  Terence

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.

11
Reply
roger
roger
2 years ago

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?

2
Reply
RickiLS
RickiLS
2 years ago
Reply to  roger

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.

3
Reply
Sam Katz
Sam Katz
2 years ago
Reply to  roger

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.

0
Reply
AdMan78
AdMan78
2 years ago

Beautiful photos. Appreciate this coverage, Daniel and WSR.

7
Reply

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