To see the United War Veterans Council’s Memorial Day Weekend Ceremonies’ Program in its entirety, click here.
To see the press release about the UWVC’s “Ground Zero Wreath-Laying Ceremonies,” and other Memorial Day Weekend Ceremonies, click here.
For photos of Memorial Day Weekend, visit UWVC’s Flickr account, here.
Update- June 5, 2011
United War Veterans Council
Event Report
2011 National Memorial Day Parade/Memorial Day Weekend
Summary: The UWVC led a New York City contingent to Washington D.C. to raise awareness as a leader of the NYC Veterans/Service community, and to establish a direct relationship with the 9/11 First Responder community (specifically, the Port Authority Police Department [PAPD], the FDNY, and FDNY 9/11 families).
ABOUT THE “UWVC” – The United War Veterans Council, Inc. (UWVC) is a 501 (c) 19 nonprofit organization that is chartered by the City of New York to produce the annual Veterans Day Parade and other events honoring service. Today, the UWVC, one of the most respected organizations serving veterans in the country, with membership including veterans of all eras, strives to uphold the words of Abraham Lincoln, who urged all Americans “to care for him who shall have borne the battle.” We invite the public to help us achieve this mission, to ensure that we remember the sacrifices of those who served and demonstrate our support for those currently serving and their families.
Memorial Day Weekend Activities
- New York City -
Thursday, May 26
3:00 PM – Wreath-Laying Ceremony – Ground Zero
Honoring those lost on 9/11/2001 and our military who made the ultimate sacrifice since. (First of two ceremonies)
This most befitting ceremony featured a wreath-laying in honor of our military service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice since 9/11. The commemorative event remembered those who perished on September 11, 2001, particularly those first responders (police, firefighters and emergency personnel) who lost their lives. The Ground Zero ceremony was attended by Gold Star Family Members, City Officials, and the leadership of the veterans’ community lead by WW II veterans, Al Maher, Rocco Moretto, and Marge Zwick (Women’s Army Corp), veterans from the Korean War, Vietnam War, Cold War Era, Iraq/Afghanistan Wars, and Navy representatives in town for Fleet Week, Vietnam Veterans of America, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War, Catholic War Veterans, Jewish War Veterans, the Transit Veterans Assoc, Sons of the Union Veterans Assoc, Veterans Coordinators from NYC College of Technology, Columbia University, and from Chase Bank, a friend to the veterans community, all placed flowers for those remembered into two wreaths, symbolizing the twin towers. Gold Star Family members each received a flag and certificate denoting this flag was flown over Ground Zero. One of the wreaths was then ceremoniously carried out of Ground Zero to prepare for its travel to the Pentagon Memorial in Washington, D.C.
For TV coverage, click here.
Friday, May 27
- New York City -
12:00 Noon – Memorial Day Ceremony – Vietnam Memorial Plaza – Manhattan
Presented by the Transit Veterans Association (TVA)
This honorable event featured guest speakers, veterans of WWII to present, the TVA Pipe & Drums unit and Color Guard, and patriotic music by the 319th “Statue of Liberty” Army Band.
All were warmly welcomed by TVA President, LTC, US Army (Retired) Dwight Webster, followed by ‘Old Glory’ by Gold Star Mother, Ms. Kathryn Cross and ‘Band of Brothers’ by Mr. Brian Delate (Vietnam Veteran) Proclamations followed from Governor Cuomo, presented by the Director of Veterans Affairs NY State, Mr. William Kraus and Commissioner Terrence Holliday (Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs. Stirring messages from the Honorable NYC Councilman Dr. Mathieu Eugene and Honors to MTA’s War Wounded by NYCT President Thomas F. Prendergast were warmly received by all.
WWII Tuskegee Airman and Recipient of Congressional Gold Medal by the President of the United States, Mr. Dabney Montgomery was the highlight of the ceremony with his style, grace and recollections of serving his country, and being a proud TVA member for many years.
Honors to The Fallen: Wreath Laying’s by Councilman Eugene, and the United War Veterans Council Executive Director, Patrick Gualtieri was followed by ‘Taps.’
Saturday, May 28
- Washington, D.C. -
10:00 AM – Memorial Day Ceremony – The Pentagon Memorial
Our NYC team of veterans, Gold Star Family members, Jr. ROTC Color Guard, and volunteers was joined at the Pentagon Memorial by Colonel Connie Christensen, US Army (Retired) who served on four tours in Vietnam in the Army Nurse Corps, and Lt. Robert Skibar, US Navy (Retired), who also served in Vietnam, and both are former Grand Marshals of the NYC Veterans Day Parade. Dozens of spectators joined in the ceremony.
2:00 PM ~ 4:00 PM – Wreath Laying’s at all National Monuments
Our team, accompanied by JROTC Cadets conducted wreath laying ceremonies at the Air Force Memorial; Marine Corps (“Iwo Jima”) Memorial; World War II Memorial; Korean War Memorial; Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Nurses Memorial, Women’s Memorial, and at the US Soldiers & Airmen’s’ Home, where we met many retired veterans from all wars/eras.
In remembrance of Bill Gallo, famed Daily News sports cartoonist, who served on Iwo Jima as a Marine, we held a special ceremony. He recently passed away and was a friend to the UWVC and many others. Ms. Jessica Bryan, who is the Founder of “Step into their boots,” selected JROTC member Hakeem Rowe to represent Bill Gallo, who ceremoniously laid a pair of boots with Bill’s name and branch of service at the monument, along with the famed drawing of Bill standing next to the Iwo Jima monument.
The Daily News sent a reporter and photographer to cover this very special event. For more information, click here.
Sunday, May 29
12:00 Noon ~ 5:00 PM – Walter Reed Army Hospital & Mologne House Visit
A select team visited wounded warriors at the Walter Reed Army Hospital, while a team of others met wounded warriors and their families at the Mologne House, and at the Fisher House. We brought Memorial Day greeting cards, with baskets of gifts from HBO, U-Haul, History, and pre-paid phone cards, donated by Maspeth Bank, were all very well received.
8:00 PM – The National Memorial Day Concert at the US Capitol in Washington DC
We were honored to receive special seating for several of our team from the DOD in recognition of all we do for our veterans and military here in NYC. We sat in the 11th row, (Veterans Day is on 11-11-11), and enjoyed an evening of pride and patriotism to our great nation.
Monday, May 30 – Memorial Day
Morning – Arlington National Cemetery Ceremony
Several from our team were also honored to receive box seats to this most reverent ceremony. President Barack Obama marked Memorial Day as he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, and addressed all attending this ceremony.
2:00 PM ~ 4:00 PM – National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.
To honor the 10th Anniversary of 9-11, and in welcoming all to attend Veterans Day in NYC on 11-11-11, the UWVC lead members of the FDNY, NYPD, Port Authority PD, Gold Star Family Members, and veterans from all wars as the special “Never Forget” contingent in the parade!
JROTC members represent the fallen: They learned of their service and sacrifice, their love of country and how they affected those around them. Their motto is “We will continue the steps they can no longer take”. Some wore the boots and learned the life of those sons of Gold Star Family members on our “Never Forget” float, while others wore boots and honorably represented deceased veterans of the Global War on Terror and WW II. For more information about “Step into their boots”, go to:
Seen on several networks by millions, we proudly represented the UWVC, our great city and invited one and all to attend the NYC Veterans Day Parade.
Media Coverage/Public Visibility
- FOX TV News – Ground Zero Ceremony – Featured at 5pm- 6pm and 11pm.
- NY Daily News – Front page mention; full page, full-color article in Sunday edition
- National Memorial Day Parade (spectators and participants)
- National Memorial Day Parade broadcast
- Veterans Corner Radio shows aired telling the purpose of the UWVC and our planned journey – potential listenership 2.5 million.
- Distributed thousands of Veterans Day Parade flyers.
- Distributed hundreds of Memorial Day cards with our logo and contact information.
- Coming feature in The Veterans magazine, covering our D.C. ventures.
Relationship development:
- NY Daily News – Re-envigorated relationship with NY Daily News by honoring Bill Gallo
- FDNY – Established positive relationship with FDNY Ceremonial Unit (see attached email from Joe LaPointe, head of FDNY Ceremonial Unit)
- FDNY 9/11 Families – Established direct & extremely positive relationship with 9/11 Families
- PAPD (Port Authority Police Dept) – Established positive relationship with Ceremonial Unit and PR office (see attached email from John Adorno, head of PAPD Ceremonial Unit)
- DOD – Established positive relationship with Admiral Mullen, and re-established with General Chiarelli.
- National Memorial Day Parade – Delivered on commitment to secure NYC 9/11 First Responders. The parade is coordinated by the American Veterans Center, which has access to senior military and notable veterans.
- City Tech/CUNY – Negotiated participation of contingent of student veterans (they would not have been able to participate due to an administrative error by CUNY)
Overall evaluation:
A successful series of events which carried out our purpose of honoring serve past and present. The UWVC continued to establish its presence as a leader in the NYC veteran’s community, particularly with regards to public events honoring service. In addition, it continued to strengthen the link between the 2011 Veterans Day Parade and the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. Although it is not necessary for UWVC to participate in Memorial Day events in D.C. at this level every year, we should consider maintaining a regular presence at certain high-impact activities.
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2011 Memorial Day Weekend Schedule
Ground Zero to Pentagon
Wreath-Laying Ceremonies
Thursday, May 26, 2011 & Saturday, May 28, 2011
Leaders of the veterans community from New York City and Washington, D.C. will be joined by Gold Star Family members for two special 9-11 Memorial Ceremonies at the World Trade Center site in New York City and the Pentagon Memorial in Washington, D.C. Each ceremony will feature a wreath-laying in honor of our military servicemembers who have made the ultimate sacrifice since 9/11. The commemorative events will also remember those who perished on September 11, 2001, particularly those first responders (police, firefighters and emergency personnel) who lost their lives. At the Ground Zero ceremony in New York City (Thursday, May 26, at 3:30 PM) Gold Star Family Members, City Officials, and representatives of the veterans community will place flowers in two wreaths, symbolizing the twin towers. One of the wreaths will then travel to the Pentagon Memorial in Washington, D.C. for a similar ceremony on Saturday, May 28 at 10:00 AM.
Program of Wreath-Laying Ceremonies
Presentation of the Colors
Wreathes Presented
Pledge of Allegiance
Welcoming Remarks
Placing of Flowers
Pledge from America’s Youth
Presentation to Gold Star Families
Taps
Retire the Colors
ABOUT THE UWVC – The United War Veterans Council, Inc. (UWVC), is a 501 (c) 19 nonprofit organization that is chartered by the City of New York to produce the annual Veterans Day Parade and other events honoring service. Today, the UWVC, one of the most respected organizations serving veterans in the country, with membership including veterans of all eras, strives to uphold the words of Abraham Lincoln, who urged all Americans “to care for him who shall have borne the battle.” We invite the public to help us achieve this mission, to ensure that we remember the sacrifices of those who served and demonstrate our support for those currently serving and their families.
Memorial Day Weekend Activities
- New York City -
Thursday, May 26
3:00 PM – Wreath-Laying Ceremony – Ground Zero
Honoring those lost on and since 9/11/2001 (First of two ceremonies)
Friday, May 27
12:00 Noon – Memorial Day Service
Presented by the Transit Veterans Association (TVA)
Featuring guest speakers, veterans of WWII to present, the TVA Pipe & Drums unit and Color Guard
- Washington, D.C. -
Saturday, May 28
10:00 AM – Wreath Laying Ceremony – Ground Zero
Honoring those lost on and since 9/11/2001 (Second of two ceremonies)
2:00 PM ~ 4:00 PM – Wreath Layings at National Monuments
Our team, accompanied by JROTC Cadets will lay wreaths at the Air Force Memorial; Marine Corps (“Iwo Jima”) Memorial; World War II Memorial; Korean War Memorial; Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Sunday, May 29
12:00 Noon ~ 5:00 PM – Walter Reed Army Hospital Visit
A select team will visit wounded warriors at the Walter Reed Army Hospital and the Mologne House, and family members at the Fisher House
Monday, May 30
Morning – Arlington National Cemetery Ceremony (Select Representatives)
2:00 PM ~ 4:00 PM – National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.
To honor the 10th Anniversary of 9-11, the UWVC will lead members of the FDNY, NYPD, PAPD, Gold Star Family Members, and other veterans as a special “Never Forget” contingent in the parade!
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