Whispers of remembrance float on the breeze here. We stand before the Prospect Park War Memorial. This monument honors Brooklyn residents who perished in World War I. It stands as a testament to their sacrifice.
The Prospect Park War Memorial features a statue and several plaques. These elements are crafted from bronze. Granite forms the benches the altar and the arced wall. The memorial may seem small compared to others like the Grand Army Plaza.
Look at the statue. See the Angel of Death. The angel hovers over a soldier. He carries a broken rifle. The statue shows him turning toward death in a trance.
This statue is unique. The angel appears to guide the soldier to the afterlife. Her wings seem to protect him. It looks as if he bends his head to listen to her.
Arthur D. Pickering designed the memorial. Augustus Lukeman sculpted it. He also created the Straus Memorial.
The Prospect Park War Memorial lists 2800 names. These are the men and women from Brooklyn. They died in the Great War. The memorial was unveiled in 1921. An estimated 35000 Brooklynites attended.
The 14th Brooklyn fought under the 106th Infantry Regiment. They were known as the Red Legged Devils. Before being reassigned the 14th held garrison in Prospect Park.
The regiment fought in France. They fought under Colonel Franklin W. War. The 106th Infantry Regiment participated in the Ypres-Lys offensive. They fought in the Second Somme Offensive. The regiment suffered 1955 casualties.
The Prospect Park War Memorial is a powerful reminder. It reminds us of the cost of war. It reminds us of the sacrifices made by Brooklyn’s residents. Take a moment to reflect on their bravery and dedication. Their memory lives on in this hallowed space.