Revisiting A Little Neck Monument To Enduring Sacrifice

If you live in Little Neck, then you've probably driven past this World War II monument dozens of times without ever realizing it was there.

Opposite Browvale Lane in front of Queens County Savings Bank, a stone slab erected on Memorial Day Weekend in 1954 has over the decades become a perhaps overlooked tribute to the Little Neck veterans of WWII.

However, with the 69th anniversary of Pearl Harbor on Tuesday, members of the Little Neck-Douglaston American Legion Post 103 would like to see that change.

"A lot of people in the Little Neck community aren't aware that this monument exists," said American Legion member John Muhlern. 

The , a service organization, erected the granite monument over 56 years ago to honor all the citizens of Little Neck who answered the call to serve their country.

Sadly today, many within the Little Neck community are unaware of the monument's presence.

"I drive past that spot at least four times a day," said Amber Dugan of Little Neck near the monument on Monday evening. "I can't believe I never noticed there was a monument there."

Amber isn't the only one who was unaware of Little Neck's very own World War II memorial.

"It's the first I've ever heard about it," said Joseph Cavelari, a Douglaston resident who said he passes by the Queens County Saving Bank on his way to work everyday.

Even several employees of the Queens County Savings Bank were surprised to find out just how close they lived and worked next to this World War II memorial.

Perhaps it's no wonder that many passersby fail to notice the monument, which is partially-hidden behind a pine bush hedgerow.

The monument is four feet tall and four feet wide and has the words inscribed, "To honor all those who served," along with an image of an eagle inscribed into a slab of granite.

"Now, more than ever, it's important that we not forget these monuments, our veterans and those dearly departed who sacrificed so much for our freedom," Mulhern said.