STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - The Great Kills Veterans Memorial now bursts with color, featuring three large planters filled with vibrant flowers and neatly landscaped plants.
On Tuesday morning, Borough President Vito Fossella, Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore), and representatives from the South Shore Business Improvement District (BID) celebrated the completion of this beautification project. “Here in Great Kills, we have a pretty rich history and appreciation for the men and women who served in our armed forces,” Fossella said. “We believe that these are the little quality of life things that are important to people of Staten Island.
” The Great Kills Veterans Memorial was sculpted in 2001 and served as the ceremonial starting point for the Great Kills Memorial Day Parade -- which concluded its final march in 2013. (Staten Island Advance/ Priya Shahi) Priya Shahi The monument, featuring five sculpted faces and an adjacent flagpole, honors members of all branches of the military who lost their lives in service. Constructed in 2001, it served as the ceremonial starting point for the Great Kills Memorial Day Parade -- which concluded its final march in 2013.
The curators of the Great Kills Veterans Memorial asked the Borough President’s office for help in beautifying the area. Borough President Fossella, Councilman Borelli, and the South Shore BID arranged for decorative planters to be installed last week. The beautification of the site, which is adjacent to a train.