Memorial Grove at VCP Rememberance

  This is one of 37 trees in the Memorial Grove Section of Van Cortlandt Park that has a remembrance of a soldier who fought overseas for the United States in Korea or WWII. There are there three other trees each bearing a plaque for FDR, the Gold Star Mothers, and the VFW Post 8646. In all there are 40 trees that have memorial plaques like this

  Over 100 people showed up on Sunday to remember those fallen soldiers and all the others who gave their lives so we could live as we do today. Mr. Herb Barret A veteran of the Korea War has continued his fighting for the restoration of the Memorial Grove in VCP, and that was finally accomplished last year by the Parks Department. He led the Memorial Day remembrance, along with some help as you will see in the photos below. The flag used for the ceremony had only 48 stars on it as was the flag when the soldiers fought.

There was help from the North Riverdale cadets led by Ms. Kay Porcher.

Left - The Color Guard.
Right - The singing of the National Anthem.

Left - Assemblyman Dinowitz says a few words.
Right - Community Board 8 Chair Dan Padernacht.
Councilman Andrew Cohen also addressed the crowd.

The crowd that was present for the ceremony.

 There were three Parks Enforcement Police on Horseback at the ceremony, and yes the horse on the right is a Clydesdale.

These girl scouts wanted their picture in front of the flag with Mr. Barret and Rabbi Davidson who gave the invocation.