Douglaston Celebrates Restored World War I Monument

Douglaston leaders honored the lives of more than 60 Douglaston residents killed during World War I on Thursday at a ceremony for the neighborhood’s newly upgraded memorial.

Councilman Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, joined civic leaders and veterans to celebrate the refurbished monument, which is located in the traffic circle at Douglaston's Long Island Rail Road station.

“The brave men who gave their lives for this community in the war to end all wars should have a memorial that does justice to their sacrifice,” the councilman said.

In the spring, Douglaston Civic Association President Eliott Socci alerted Halloran’s office that the monument, which had not been upgraded in 20 years, .

“It’s made of brass and stone, but it memorializes the loss of flesh and blood,” Socci said of the memorial.

The city’s Parks Department, Economic Development Corporation and the Department of Transportation were responsible for renovating the memorial. The city will continue to maintain the monument.

Rev. Adriene Hausch, of the Community Church of Douglaston, led a blessing for the upgraded site, while several veterans groups turned out to pay homage to the names listed on the monument.

“They may have paid the ultimate price but, for us, it was the ultimate gift,” she said. “There is no war to end all wars. War is too often viewed as the first response, rather than a last resort.”

The memorial includes 61 names, including one grandfather and grandson, a father and son and three women.

Halloran said the initiative to get the site refurbished was undertaken by his office, the civic association, Community Board 11 and state Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, D-Bayside.