With this nation’s Independence Day celebration just behind us, the cities of Union City and Weehawken wanted to make sure all veterans who help protect our independence have a place to call their own.
The cities honored the brave soldiers who have fought in battles for the freedom of our country with the June 25 unveiling of the War Memorial Plaza located on the Weehawken/Union City border on Park Ave./Broadway and 46th Street.
The plaza is now home to the Union City War Memorial Monument, an obelisk for both cities to remember those who have fallen in the line of duty helping to protect the country.
Weehawken Mayor Richard F. Turner believes the plaza is one step closer to restoring Park Avenue, saying, “This is made for the people who live here, work here, and have been with us through the good years and the bad years. And nothing but good years are coming.”
Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack said, “It sends a great message. [Veterans] have a place in Union City that’s their place. This is dedicated just to the veterans. It’s a statement for the veterans that we appreciate all that they’ve done for us.”
Honoring our brave soldiers
Many proclamations were handed out during the event. The first one from Union City was given to Lt. Colonel Felix Roque, M.D., a war veteran who flew in on the day of the inauguration from San Antonio, Tx.
In his speech, Roque mentioned how our soldiers are in hospitals broken but healing.
“All survivors of the fallen are heroes,” said Roque. “We owe our freedom to those warriors of our great nation.”
Roque is a director for St. Mary’s Pain Management Center on 60th Street in West New York, and currently works at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, caring for injured soldiers.
“The mystery of this memorial is its majestic simplicity,” said Roque. “It’s not of stone, but of stories devised of happy and great memories of our fallen heroes. It’s a lifeline to the past. It also serves as a warning of the tragedy of war.”
Vincent Bonito, advisor for the Emerson High School Key Club, recited an essay for past veterans and those fighting the current war.
“From the very first shots that were fired in our nation’s early fight for freedom,” read Bonito. “Through two world wars, and now on the war on terrorism, America’s sons and daughters have risen and continued to rise up in order for the flame of freedom to fire up fiercely in our hearts.”
The inauguration also honored local veterans of Union City American Legion Post 14 with a proclamation. The members include Commander John Cingirre, Adjunct John McMahon, and members Thomas Novembre, Joseph Caputo, Paul Novembre, James McShea, Frank Seidel, George Robbiani, Enzo Neri, and Richard Clerici.
The event drew the young people of the community, too. The Emerson High School ROTC came to show support for the veterans, as did the Union Hill High School Band. The Union Hill High School Singers performed, and a dazzling V formation of jets flew overhead.
Working side by side
The project is one of many new renovations planned for both cities.
According to Turner, the memorial is a part of the continuing urban revitalization currently taking place in Weehawken and Union City, and it is a product of the agreement between him and Stack to help restore Park Avenue to a much more pleasant state.
“Eight years ago when Stack became mayor, we made a pledge [to fix up the neighborhood],” said Turner. “Our police have cleaned up our neighborhoods, [abandoned homes were fixed] and now have people living in them, and now we have had two parks added in Weehawken along with an amphitheater [on the Union City side].”
Stack added, “I think this monument also beautifies the area.”