As is the tradition, the Van Nest Memorial Remembrance begins a short time after the Peace Plaza Memorial Day Remembrance ends so people can attend one and then the other. Then Councilman Ritchie Torres refurbished the Van Nest Memorial, flagpole, and the playground next to it. The names of area veterans who passed away are on the memorial. More names are added each year as the veterans pass away.
After a small parade around the Van Nest Memorial, East Bronx Historian Richard Vitacco gave a brief history of the Memorial and said this year's special veteran was Sergeant Vincent Serrano of the 23rd Artillery Group Vietnam who was killed in action March 26th 1967. Twelve pairs of carnations One white and one red were dropped by the monument for the twelve veterans from the area who passed away this year.
Bronx Borough President Vanesa Gibson was on hand as was Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, and Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance President Bernadette Ferrara, all who spoke with each saying that this was a day for remembering those who gave their lives so we could be here to honor them.
Rich Vitacco speaks as veterans Earl Manard Jr, and Richardo Garcia are on either side holding plaques of Sergeant Serrano.
Bronx Borough President Vanesa Gibson speaks about her grueling five month in office, but we pay tribute to our veterans today on Memorial Day.
L - R, Earl Manard Jr., Bernadette Ferrara, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Rich Vitacco, and Richardo Garcia.
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