A vehicle crashed into the Midland Beach Veterans Memorial on the morning of May 20, 2025, causing significant damage to the surrounding area. The careless driver responsible left their vehicle at the site and promptly fled the scene, causing considerable distress to the local community. Many were heartbroken to find that the blocks surrounding the memorial were severely damaged due to the collision.
The New York City Parks Department, which oversees the maintenance of sites like the Midland Beach Veterans Memorial, has given their assurance for immediate repairs. Their spokesperson expressed a commitment to swift restoration in a Friday morning announcement, just a few days after the unwarranted collision of a 2014 RAM vehicle with the beloved memorial.
The vehicle’s fateful collision occurred at the junction of Midland Avenue and Father Capodanno Boulevard. The impact was harsh enough to cause visible damage to the stones that were arranged around the memorial. However, by a stroke of luck, the memorial itself narrowly escaped any direct impact, remaining untouched.
Vito Fossella, the Borough President, visited the memorial site on Friday, witnessing first-hand the extent of the damage inflicted. Meeting up with members of the Midland Beach Civic Association, the leaders gathered to assess the desecration caused on the previous Tuesday.
In a released statement, President Fossella commented on the significant damage to the overall area surrounding the memorial. Despite noting the devastation, he was thankful to report that the memorial itself seemed to have been spared and remained intact.
Fossella verbalized the community’s refusal to let such a significant monument linger in a hazardous state of disrepair. He pledged to communicate with the relevant city departments to evaluate whether prompt repairs can be executed, and to determine if the damages can be charged to the driver responsible.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Fossella articulated a shared sentiment, that Staten Island will always honor the memories of their veterans and uniformed personnel. The community is united in their determination to restore and enhance the military memorial, a homage to the veterans hailing from the Midland Beach community.
The Midland Beach Veterans Memorial has a rich history extending back to the time of World War II. Originally, a 14-foot wooden monument stood on the site as a dedication to the 117 Midland Beach residents who were participants in the global conflict.
The inaugural monument, though full of pride and reverence, had a brief stint. It was taken down by a hurricane in 1944, which led to the erection of a new monument. The replacement ensured that an additional 210 soldiers, who joined the battle against the Axis powers since the original designation, were also recognized on the memorial.
However, the replacement memorial also had a limited lifespan. It was removed in 1955 to pave the way for road widening activities by the city. It wasn’t until 1992 that the memorial that currently stands on the site was established.
As it stands, the Midland Beach Veterans Memorial has weathered storms, both literally and figuratively. It stands testament to the resilience of the community and their lasting commitment to remember their veterans. As the city promises to promptly restore the area affected by the recent, unfortunate collision, the monument endures in its silent tribute.
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