Post 9/11 Fallen Service Member Memorial

Overseas Contingency Operations represent the country’s longest sustained military conflict, directly claiming (as of May 15th, 2024 according to the Defense Casualty Analysis System) the lives of 7,064 U.S. Service Members – 5,464 hostile deaths, 1,599 non-hostile deaths, and one pending non-hostile death. More than 90 of these brave men and women were from New York City. We must never forget our Service Members who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation’s freedom. Thanks to the advocacy of New York City’s Veteran community – as expressed through the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) – a memorial will be developed to honor and tell the stories of those we lost during this era of conflict. The terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the military operations that followed forever changed the lives of all Americans. Therefore, in addition to creating a special space for reflection and remembrance, this memorial will also seek to educate everyday New Yorkers about the extraordinary sacrifice these local Service Members and their families made. The memorial will also serve as a permanent declaration of “Thank you” and “Welcome Home” to our Post 9/11 Veteran community. The Post 9/11 Veteran community includes, but is not limited to: all who served, those sustaining hidden and non-hidden wounds, those who died for reasons that originated in military service who are not acknowledged by the Defense Department as being combat casualties, those who were not able to return home, the loved ones of all previously mentioned groups (Gold Star Families and Blue Star Families), supporters and allies. This project will serve as an eternal testament to their service by also creating a site for future commemorations and remembrances that engage the local community, Veteran Service Organizations, and New Yorkers who wish to learn about these hometown heroes. A short list of qualified artists and artist design teams will be announced in September 2024. A final artist concept to be selected no later than early 2025.

May 23, 2024 RFQ opens

September 2024— Shortlist of qualified artists selected and announced

November 2024— Conceptual Proposals reviewed, and finalist selected

January 2025— Design Development begins Spring 2027 Estimated completion and dedication

An advisory panel composed of individuals who reflect diverse facets of New York City’s Veteran community will assess artist submissions and help create a shortlist of up to five finalists for consideration. The Advisory Committee will screen the broader pool of submissions in order to identify a shortlist of candidates. The artist – or artist team – chosen to design the monument will be determined through the City’s Percent for Art commissioning process.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Alexa D'Alessandro

Wife of U.S. Marine Corps Veteran | Executive Director of the NYU Veterans Future Lab

Lisa Beatha

U.S. Army Veteran | CUNY Veteran Affairs Director

Nancy Beetstra

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran | Wounded Warrior Project Event Coordinator

Jane Black

Spouse to U.S. Army Veteran | Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 885

Andrea Bryant

U.S. Navy Veteran | American Legion Edward M. McKee Post 131

Matt Butler

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran | Senior Director, Veteran and Military Services, Fordham University

Rudy Cazares

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran | Head of Cazares Logistics, an Amazon delivery company

Elana Duffy

U.S. Army Veteran |Founder of Pathfinder Labs

Mercedes Elias

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran | CEO of AmeriVet Securities

John Escalante

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran | Team RWB NYC Deputy Chapter Captain

Quamid Francis

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran | Q Impact Solutions Founder

Agatha Funes

U.S. Army Veteran | CUNY Office of Veteran Affairs Student Coordinator for Inclusion & Diversity

Ryan Graham

U.S. Air Force Veteran | Flanders Field VFW Post 150 Commander

Ryan Hegg

Veteran Supporter | United War Veterans Council Head of Legacy and Education

David Keefe

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran | Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration Community Engagement Director

Tori Lyon

Veteran Supporter | CEO at Jericho Project

Mecca Nelson

Gold Star Wife to Sgt. Mario Nelson | Chief Executive Officer of The Yoma Method

Bob Ollis

Gold Star Father to Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis

Linda Ollis

Gold Star Mother to Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis

Mark Otto

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran | United War Veterans Council President & Executive Director

Michael "Rod" Rodriguez

U.S. Army Veteran | Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation President & CEO

Kristen Rouse

US Army Veteran | Managing Director of IAVA

Mike Seeley

American Legion Edward M. McKee Post 131 Commander

Emily Toro

Gold Star Mother to Isaac Cortes

Dennis Torres

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran | Queens College Veteran and Military Support Services Associate Director

- Joan Benefiel, Mixed-media Sculptor

- Douwe Blumberg, Bronze Sculptor

- Cloud Architecture

- Joseph O’Connell, Installation Artist

If you are Veteran or military-affiliated individual who wishes to submit a suggestion to help guide or support this project, please email connect@veterans.nyc.gov.

Please direct all inquiries regarding this open call to Percent@culture.nyc.gov.