NEW YORK - New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Jorge Vasquez from the Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry and Mr. Thomas Fitzsimmons of the 69th Veteran's Association place a memorial wreath dedicated to the fallen servicemen and women this Memorial Day at the New York City Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument in Manhattan.
The Memorial Service, which included remarks by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, honors all veterans and pays special homage to New Yorkers who gave their lives in the Civil War. The special tribute of the day honored the legendary 69th Infantry Regiment, one of the first units to answer President Lincoln’s call for New York volunteers.
The Memorial Day wreath laying included 17 veterans, heritage and civic organizations, including the American Legion, the Navy League, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Daughters of the American Revolution, Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. and Old Guard of the City of New York. Photo by Ed Dunn, Jr.