Memorial Day at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument

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.