Memorial Day services • May 29, 2011
Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, 89th Street and Riverside Drive

Back row (left to right): Sue Perko, Gail Eisenhauer, Penny Bernstein
Front row (left to right): Monica Maron, Karen Hammerlof, Renee Cooley
(Sharon Crowley Connor's sister), Betsy Harris and Maggie Malone

It was a bright, hot morning on the Upper West Side in New York and eight AWONers had great seats from which to watch the proceedings at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on the edge of Riverside Park. The U.S. Marine Band and the New York Scottish Pipes and Drums played. Mayor Bloomberg spoke briefly and laid a wreath from the City of NY, other speeches followed, the chief one by Civil War historian and Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer. Then 17 wreaths were laid by various organizations and, toward the end, the American WWII Orphans Network's name was called out and we all stood up. After the ceremony ended, we walked 10 blocks for lunch at the Boat Basin Cafe overlooking the Hudson River. A great day. Remember American Legion poppies? Most of us bought one and are wearing them in the photo.

Thanks to Maggie Malone for the photo and description.