Soldiers' and Sailors'
Memorial Association
320 West 90th Street
New York, NY 10024
nyssma@msn.com
212-580-0745
Media
Advisory
New York City
May 25, 2007
For immediate release
Contact: Victoria England
(212)580-0769
MAYOR BLOOMBERG TO PLACE A WREATH ON MEMORIAL DAY (MAY
28)
AT THE SOLDIERS’ & SAILORS’ MONUMENT (89th
ST. & RIVERSIDE DRIVE)
The annual Memorial Day Commemoration at the Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Monument in Riverside Park at 89th Street will be held on Monday, May 28th beginning at 10:30 AM. The observance honors all veterans and pays special homage to New Yorkers who gave their lives in the Civil War. During the service, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg will lay a wreath at the portal of the Monument on behalf of the City of New York.
The Mayor will be joined by other officials, including Council Member Gale A. Brewer, and 16 veterans' organizations and heritage groups. Descendants of Civil War veterans in historic uniforms will form an honorary color guard. Two detachments of marines and Navy personnel from the Fleet and a Marine Corps Color Guard will also participate. They will be joined by Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Daughters of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy and The Old Guard of the City of New York.
More than 800 invited guests will hear Broadway musical star, Brenda Braxton, sing the National Anthem and America the Beautiful. The New York Scottish Pipes & Drums will also perform.
Dr. George Chall, a World War II veteran, is Chairman of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Association. “There are no hallowed Civil War battlefields in Manhattan," said Chall, "that speak to the valor and sacrifice of New Yorkers. The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument is a sacred precinct where New Yorkers can pay homage to those who gave their lives to preserve the Union."
Grant's Tomb
At noon, following the service, National Park Rangers in Civil War uniforms will lead a “Walk of Remembrance” from the monument up Riverside Park to Grant’s Tomb at 122nd Street. Park Rangers will conduct Civil War living history demonstrations and flowers will be placed on the crypt of General Grant and Julia Dent Grant.
The Setting
The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument pays homage to New Yorkers who served in the Civil War. Gov. Theodore Roosevelt laid the cornerstone in 1900 and the monument was dedicated by Mayor Van Wyck on Memorial Day in 1902. 96 feet high, the stately marble and granite structure was designed by Charles and Arthur Stoughton in the shape of an Athenian round temple or tholos supported by twelve Corinthian columns. Designated a New York City Landmark, the monument is maintained by the City's Department of Parks & Recreation. This year, the Parks Department will begin a major restoration of the adjoining south plaza.
Dedicated in 1897, the General Grant National Memorial is the second largest mausoleum in the Western Hemisphere. It is the final resting place of Ulysses S. Grant, principal author of the Union victory in the Civil War and 18th President of the United States. Also entombed in the granite and marble monument is his wife, Julia Dent. The National Park Service has administered the Memorial since 1959.
The Event
The annual event is organized by the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Association which is dedicated to preserving Monument and to honoring all veterans. Convenient transportation from the monument to Grant's Tomb is available via the MTA No.5 bus. All events are free. For further information, the public can call 311 or go to the website at www.nyc.gov/parks
Soldiers' & Sailors Memorial Association
The Association comprises leaders of many veteran's organizations and heritage groups. It conducts the annual Memorial Day commemoration at the Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument and supports efforts to restore and preserve the monument. The Association is affiliated with Riverside Park Fund.
Press Coverage during this
Memorial Day commemoration is invited.
For additional details or to arrange for interviews, please contact:
Victoria England at 212-580-0769 or at nyssma@msn.com