The annual Memorial Day activities at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in New York City featured a salute the the "Fighting 69th." Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, New York National Guard were on hand as their regiment was honored for its service dating to the Civil War. The battalion color guard was present and the battalion commander gave the key note address. Elements from the battalion returned from Iraq and Afghanistan during the year. The monument was erected in the early 1900's to honor Soldiers and Sailors who gave their lives in the Civil War.
The Marine Corps Reserve Band played for the event and approximately 130 Soldiers, Sailors and Marines participated in the event's opening parade.
The ceremony received coverage from five New York area television stations and three daily newspapers. Television coverage played on the nightly news for all area stations. Mayor Michael Bloomberg spoke at the ceremony and laid a wreath at the momument in honor of New York's fallen warriors.
More than 700 spectators attended the ceremony.
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