At his weekly in-person press conference on Tuesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams revealed the artist designs for a new post-9/11 veterans memorial to be built in Whitestone, Queens, titled “Flames of Honor.” The announcement comes ahead of Memorial Day weekend and during Fleet Week, emphasizing the city’s tribute to military service.
The memorial, which will feature stained glass flames illuminated with built-in LED lights to symbolize an eternal flame, is expected to open to the public by 2028, with the ribbon-cutting planned for the 2026 fiscal year.
“It's not about barbecues and hot dogs and rides, it's about remembering those men and women who gave their lives for our country,” said Adams.
The mayor noted the significance of placing the monument in Queens, the borough with the highest number of post-9/11 service members killed in action.
“Our fallen soldiers gave their last measure of devotion defending the American dream and we could not call ourselves the greatest city on the globe if we do not give them the tribute and honor that they deserve,” he said.
Department of Veterans Services Commissioner James Hendon highlighted a persistent issue: many veterans in the city do not identify themselves.
“Everything we can do to make sure folks know to take advantage of the benefits that they've earned and what's out there and that we want to honor them is what's in play right now,” said Hendon.
The mayor also addressed the May 17 collision of a Mexican Navy ship with the Brooklyn Bridge, which resulted in two deaths and 19 injuries. The vessel, which suffered rudder failure, was attempting to exit the East River toward open sea when it struck the bridge and lost its masts.
“Everyone was collaborating. I cannot commend our first responders enough to be able to get those who are in immediate care,” said Adams, who noted he had been scheduled to join the voyage but ultimately did not attend.
“Thank God, [only] 19 people were injured. 2 people died. You know, that could have been a real horrific tragedy,” he said. The National Transportation Safety Board and Mexican authorities are investigating the incident, Adams added, emphasizing the importance of height and tide regulations for ships navigating New York waterways.
“Our currents and tides are very strong. People don't realize that someone can jump into the river down by the Statue of Liberty and find them their way all the way up to the Bronx somewhere,” he said.
Finally, Adams celebrated the reinstatement of the Empire 1 Wind Farm project linked to the Brooklyn Marine Terminal, which had been frozen by the Trump administration. The project was revived just over a month after its halt.
“I knew that we had a good possibility of landing this plane. And, you know, so I think it paid off,” said Adams, who mentioned meeting with President Trump and writing letters urging the reversal.
While Governor Hochul claimed credit for the project’s return, Adams dismissed the political jockeying.
“And so whomever wants a credit, I can care less who gets a credit. All I want is a project that will have fifteen hundred jobs. Five hundred thousand houses would be able to get electricity for it. Billions of dollars in infrastructure capital,” he said.
Adams concluded by saying he would not “war” with the president, opting instead to frame the outcome as a shared victory for the city.
