Nine heroes resonate here at Heroes’ Plaza. This isn’t just another city square. It’s a place brimming with meaning. Heroes’ Plaza offers a poignant reminder of sacrifice. It is a space dedicated to local servicemen. These men from Elmhurst gave their lives in the Vietnam War. The Vietnam Veterans Triangle sits inside Nine Heroes Plaza.
Let’s step back in time for a moment. The city acquired this land in 1924. Later it was transferred to the Parks Department. The name Heroes’ Plaza nods to the “Nine Heroes Tapestries”. These tapestries can be seen at the Cloisters. They are at Fort Tryon Park. French artist Nicolas Bataille created these tapestries around 1385. They depict nine legendary heroes. There were three Hebrew heroes. They were Joshua, David, and Judas. Three Christian heroes followed. These were Maccabeus, Charlemagne, and Godfrey of Boullion. Finally, there were three classical heroes. They included Hector, Alexander the Great, and Julius Caesar.
Heroes’ Plaza honors nine specific men. These Elmhurst soldiers died in the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1975. Jean-Claude Esnault was the first to fall. The other eight were equally brave. Their names are Irwin Lewis Hoffman, Carlos Ugarte, Eduardo Paul Branes, David Bruce Tucker, Jeffrey Perez, Bruce Levy, Uldis Jack Malmanis, and Carlos Alberto Pedrosa. Each was a decorated soldier.
The plaza features a cone-shaped monument. It serves as the base for a flagpole. This monument honors the nine men and all Vietnam War casualties. A frieze of horses with flag and sword emblems adorns the monument. Below the flagpole, you will see stars and American eagles. Shrubs and rose bushes grow in a circular pattern around the memorial. Several benches offer a place for reflection.
Elmhurst has a rich history. It began as the colonial village of Newtown. In 1893, Cord Meyer transformed it. He turned the declining agricultural area into a residential neighborhood. He installed streets, sewers, gas, and electricity. He also built a bank and a trolley system. Newtown was renamed Elmhurst. This was to reflect its changing fortunes and to distance it from the polluted Newtown Creek.
Today, Elmhurst is one of the most diverse communities in the U.S.. Immigrants from Asia, South America, Europe, and Africa call it home. Heroes’ Plaza stands near Elmhurst Hospital Center. It is located where 76th Street, 41st Avenue, and Broadway meet.
Heroes’ Plaza is more than a park. It is a place to remember. It is a place to honor those who served. Take a moment to reflect on their sacrifice. Remember the nine heroes of Elmhurst. Their memory lives on in this special place.