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 station, also functions as protective barriers.
“We want to make sure this monument stays fresh and in the minds of all those who come to Great Kills train station as they go to work, exemplifying the freedom that the men and women who have gone on to serve their country have provided them,” Borelli said. “It’s a small step to make Great Kills a little bit more beautiful.” South Shore BID President Gary Fleming assured that the site will be maintained for years to come.
He urged the community to visit the Great Kills area, support local businesses, and take a moment to visit the monument. The South Shore BID is a non-profit organization comprised of business owners in Annadale, Eltingville and Great Kills -- established with the purpose of enriching the economic vitality of the towns it represents, making it a better place to work, shop and live. Borelli highlighted that his work with the South Shore BID has included installing cameras, creating murals , providing garbage bins, managing waste collection, and removing gum from sidewalks.
John Esposito served as the co-chair of the Great Kills Memorial Day Parade. Priya Shahi John Esposito, co-chair of the Great Kills Memorial Day Parade, expressed gratitude for the swift completion of the project, which was finished in less than a month after their initial request..
