Memorial Day was formally marked across The Bronx on and in the lead up to Monday, May 26, at various venues and at various events. It was marked as the Trump administration’s U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire tycoon, Elon Musk, cut thousands of positions at the VA across the country, as previously reported in February.

 

City Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato (C.D. 13), who broadly represents sections of the East Bronx, was joined by veterans, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (A.D. 82), State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez (S.D. 34), whose brother serves / served in the armed forces, and who also broadly represent the East Bronx, commanding officer of the 45th Precinct, Captain Anderson Ortiz, and community members to mark the occasion.

 

A tour of various East Bronx sites took place over Memorial Day weekend, including Silver Beach, Edgewater, Van Nest, Veterans Memorial Park, Peace Plaza, and City Island for a parade in tribute to both veterans and those who died in service to the country. “It was a powerful and moving start to the day, honoring the courage, sacrifice, and service of our fallen heroes,” Marmorato said. “Thank you to everyone who joined us in remembrance and reflection. ” 

In an earlier post on social media dated May 24, Marmorato had said, “See something new around Morris Park?” The post was accompanied by photos of various U.S. flags flying from various East Bronx buildings. “That’s because American flags are now flying high from Bronxdale to Morris Park Ave and from Williamsbridge Rd to Pelham Parkway,” she said.

The councilwoman continued, “After it was brought to our attention that no flags had been placed in the area ahead of Memorial Day, our office took quick action, partnering with community members Gene DeFrancis [president of the local Merchants Association] and Al D’Angelo to get it done. Proud to honor our fallen heroes and make sure every Memorial Day is celebrated with respect and honor.”

 

A subsequent post from Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance read, “Why would Van Nest not want to be part of the Memorial Day remembrance and not put up flags to show our USA pride on MPA (Morris Park Community Association)? CM Marmorato’s post on Saturday morning made VNNA very aware that flags stopped at Bronxdale? MPCA and VNNA share a commercial corridor and should work in unity.”

It continued, “Within 24 hours VNNA bought the flags, CM Marmorato donated five and helped with asking Renata and her community friend with a cherry picker to mount them from Delancey Place to Unionport Road on MPA for Van Nest to be part of our community’s Memorial remembrance. Heartfelt thank you to CM Marmorato, Renata and her caring friend for their time to help VNNA be part of this celebration. The years of being a stepchild are far behind us. Enjoy Van Nest!”

 

Gibson also joined Benedetto, Councilman Kevin Riley (C.D. 12), who represents the north Bronx, veterans, Congressman George Latimer (NY-16), who represents parts of the north Bronx and Westchester, and Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark at a Co-Op City service to honor those who serve or have served. “This Memorial Day weekend, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” Gibson said. ‘Your courage and dedication will never be forgotten. Thank you to all our veterans and service members.”

State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33), who represents much of the northwest and center Bronx, also paid tribute to those who serve or served in the U.S. military, saying, “On this Memorial Day, we honor and remember the courageous Americans who gave their lives in service to our country. To all our fallen heroes – your sacrifice and that of your families will not be forgotten.”

 

According to Guerinos Against Graffitti,* though simultaneously on “daddy duty,” State Sen. Jamaal Bailey (S.D. 36) attended a memorial commemoration at Woodlawn Cemetery on May 23, and spoke about how he and other Bronx and New York elected officials, including Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), and Council Member Eric Dinowitz (C.D. 11), honor those who serve, as well as their families.

 

The assemblyman later wrote of the event, “I was joined by Council Member Eric Dinowitz at the Woolworth Chapel in the Woodlawn Cemetery for their annual Memorial Day Commemoration, organized by NYS Senator Jamaal Bailey.”

 

he added, “This event allows us as a community to thank our veterans and all who served for their immense sacrifices. Thank you to everyone involved in this event for giving us a chance to remember, honor, and celebrate the brave men and women that have served our nation.”

 

As reported, on Aug. 10, 2022, former U.S. President Joe Biden, who, it was announced, was recently diagnosed with cancer, signed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act of 2022, also known as the PACT Act, into law. The legislation confers the largest expansion of Veterans benefits in history, expanding health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances.

 

The law expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post 9/11 era; adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures; adds more presumptive exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation; requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care; and helps VA improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures.

Local youth and other volunteers had taken time in the lead up to Memorial Day to place flags at the graves of fallen members of the U.S. military buried at Woodlawn Cemetery and at other sites.

 

The team at Woodlawn Cemetery also released a statement, saying, “This Memorial Day, we honor and remember all who gave their lives in service to our country. At Woodlawn Cemetery, over 8,600 veterans are laid to rest, and over the past week, volunteers and staff placed an American flag at each of their gravesites in solemn tribute. We are proud to be the final resting place for so many who served, and we remain committed to preserving their memory with gratitude and care.”

 

Earlier in the week, the assemblyman was joined by the borough president and the councilman at the “Van Cortlandt Park Alliance Springtime Shindig.” The assemblyman said, “It was a humbling experience to join my colleagues honoring veteran Herb Barret and Commissioner of NYC Veterans’ Services James Hendon.”

 

He added, “I remember helping Herb Barret at the beginning of his project to restore Memorial Grove, being one of the first elected officials in support of this renovation. This space has now become a historically significant location in Van Cortlandt Park, honoring the memories of our fallen soldiers. The remarkable passion and persistence these men have displayed have benefited our community greatly, ensuring that the sacrifices of our veterans will be recognized for generations to come.”

The assemblyman concluded, “As well as recognizing Herb Barret and James Hendon, this event also showcased the community’s appreciation for the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance (VCPA). Council Member Eric Dinowitz presented the VCPA with a check for one hundred two thousand dollars so they can continue the amazing work they do for Van Cortlandt Park. Our community is lucky to have access to Van Cortlandt Park and the VCPA works hard to maintain public trails, host community volunteer events, and partner with local schools for educational events.”

 

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance are also asking for volunteers to held with clean-up efforts post-Memorial Day. “Help Van Cortlandt Park staff clean up trash after holidays this year,” the group wrote, before adding the following dates:

 

Elsewhere, Bronxites took advantage of the beautiful sunshine to gather outdoors for picnics and spend time together. Click here for a short video of families enjoying the day in the Williamsbridge Oval.

 

As reported, former Congressman Charles Rangel, who represented New York’s 13th congressional district, which currently covers Harlem and northern Manhattan as well as the west Bronx, and who was also a veteran who served in Korea, died on Memorial Day at the age of 94. He served in Congress from 1971 to 2017, among other public service roles. He was succeeded by Congressman Adriano Espaillat.

On Sunday, May 18, Bronx Community Board 7 and community partners gathered to commemorate Memorial Day and an early Centennial Celebration of the Bronx Victory Memorial, located on Mosholu Parkway in Bedford Park, which was first unveiled on Nov. 11, 1925. More to follow.

 

While in Kingsbridge Heights on Memorial Day, we spoke to Robert Bowman, an active serviceman with the U.S. Navy since 2001 who works as a culinary specialist chef. He reflected on the day saying, “Happy Memorial Day to the Army and the Navy, the Marine Corps and Coast Guard Society and most of all the Air Force. I’m trying to find my wife. She’s in the Air Force. We’re gonna get married in the future, hopefully. I believe she’s in Asia. So, you know, you tell a colonel and tell the army that I’m looking for my wife; her name is Brea.”