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Memorial Day Around Manhattan

Posted: May 25, 2013 | 7:52 PM
by Jared Goldstein

Top of Manhattan, Washington Heights: The Battle of Harlem Heights was the only victory site for the Revolutionary War of New York, that is, until Washington Evacuated the British from Downtown. But most of the war in New York City was brutal.

Downtown: There you can see the monument to the Liberty Pole at the top of Bowling Green.

Patriot John Van Arsdale climbed up a greased pole to lower the British flag for the new American one.

Trinity Church: Memorial to the Unknown Martyrs of the Revolution.

NYC saw the greatest loss of life in the Revolutionary War. Hundreds are memorialized at the NE corner of Trinity Churchyard.

Trinity did not just erect and inter this memorial for the public edification. The city wanted to extend Pine Street through its property.

The monument and those buried below successfully prevented that.

Midtown West: The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

is almost pornographic in its glorification of war machines. They look beautiful and cool, but where do the bombs go? What happens to the Veterans?

Midtown East:

The United Nations.

Take the United Nations tour to learn about what happens to unexploded landmines. They blow children up and ruin farms for decades. How about the poverty caused by war and trillions of dollars for war preparations?

New York City is bookended by the glories and ignominies of war.

I wish you a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.