Memorial Day in Piermont, New York, the “Last Stop” for WW II soldiers
May 31, 2010 A*RT!? Happens
It’s Memorial Day and since I’m very proud to be American, I wanted to show my respect and thanks to those who fought and died for our freedom and for a great country with a short post about a touching memorial statue in historic Piermont, New York that I recently came across (with the help of my history buff husband).
When I was driving through Piermont I found this statue dedicated to the men who fought and died in WW II. The statue is called “Last Stop USA” and is appropriately placed in the last spot US soldiers would step foot on in the USA before embarking to Europe.
Off of the Piermont pier is where 40,000 US troops per month passed through to board ships headed ultimately for the shores of France, many of whom never came home.
During my recent visit to Normandy, France I got a chance to visit those shores, one of which being Omaha Beach (pictured below from my visit in April). I was sobered by my tour guide’s accounts of the tragedy that took place here and then grateful to see a little girl happily playing ball on the now peaceful shore. Isn’t that, after all, what these men were fighting for?
The last line in the plaque reads “this plaque is dedicated to the honor of those who served and the sacred memory of those who never returned”
©2010 Danee Gilmartin All rights reserved
Comments
wendi copeland 05.8.2012
I am working on a “Last Stop USA” project while I am an artist in residence at The Art Students League of New York’s Vytlacil campus in Sparkill.
I am very interested in learning more about the Last Stop USA and working with images of the past and present of the docks etc.
We have an Open Studio event for the general public on Thursday May 24th of 2012 at the campus on 241 Kings Highway if you are interested in seeing the artwork and installations. It is from 5 to 7pm and I am in cabin #7. Wendi
Philip Montesano, Jr 05.29.2011
Hi, My father’s neighbor George Lynch and the Piermont VFW were instrumental in this project. The VFW also holds a Memorial Day bonfire at the end of the Piermont pier. There is another plaque in the center of the Piermont business district that commemorates the WWII service of Robert Gair Co employees.It is special to me since it contains the names of my father and two uncles (Philip, John & Joseph Montesano – all three sons of my grandparents Carmine and Christina). She was a Three Star Mother! All returned safely after serving in North Africa, Italy and Japan respectively.
Brian Timmins 03.4.2011
I live in South Devon, quite close to Slapton sands where a lot of training for the D Day landings took place, an old Sherman tank was recently hauled up and is now on the beach as a memorial. In various harbours there are memorials to the Troops of various nations, who departed our shores for France and ultimately the liberation of Europe, many of my neighbours and former neighbours have/had memories of US ,Canadian and British troops billeting with them in the lead up to D day, some very sad . As a former modern day soldier I appreciate what these guys were willing to give up for the freedom of strangers in strange lands and thank them all for there acts and deeds. May their sacrifices be rememberred for ever. RIP brave men and women.
MuseumChick 03.5.2011
Hi Brian- Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. It is very respectable and humbling what soldiers then and now have given-up to aid people that they have never meet. And so important to have these memorials to keep their memory and the history alive.
tony scott 05.31.2010
Thanks for sharing this blog. You might want to visit Windermere Hotels located at the Lake District, UK. You'd love it there. They have a lot in store for history buffs and fanatics.