#8. A WAR TO REMEMBER


#8. A WAR TO REMEMBER 

Nobody notices the flagpole. 

Oh maybe at the top they see the stars and stripes and the black POW/MIA flag. And in June the Pride flag. But the bottom is where the history is. 

A round, white limestone base, five feet tall, with a panel of chiseled inscription “In Honor of These From This District Who Gave Their Lives in the World War.”Erected in 1920, so you know which war. What is “This District” I wonder? It’s on another panel. A carved map with 14th Street north, Bleecker Street south,Broadway east, and 7th Avenue west. Another panel lists the 20 District boys who never came home, from Captains down to Privates. 

Maybe people would notice if it was still in its original place, centered just south of the Arch. But a 1960s renovation shunted it to this sideline. 

 There’s always a newer war to remember.

Comments