Failure to maintain sculpture dishonors firefighters’ sacrifice

Dear Editor,

As travelers enter the City of Kingston from the traffic circle on Washington Avenue, they encounter Fireman’s Memorial Park. At the center of that island is a life-sized sculpture capturing an image of the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. The sculpture is of three New York City firefighters carrying their chaplain, the Rev. Mychal Judge, from the scene after he received fatal injuries.

The sculpture was a gift to the City of Kingston. That small parcel has been maintained for years by a retired Kingston city fire officer.

Despite his best efforts, the memorial has been structurally neglected. Neither City Hall nor the Fire Department feels a responsibility or inclination to maintain this property in the dignified manner it deserves.

The base supporting the sculpture is collapsing from the foundation. Continued neglect will result in the sculpture being damaged.

This is a statue that is not being torn down in protest. Looking closely at this neglect would send a message that this city has not only forgotten the significance and tremendous loss on Sept. 11, 2001, but doesn’t respect it.

If a commitment is not made to improve and maintain this symbol of great sacrifice, I suggest it be removed and donated to a place that will appreciate and honor it.

Steve Nevins Hurley, N.Y. The writer, a retired major with the New York State Police, lost his brother, Gerard, a member of FDNY Rescue Co. 1, at the World Trade Center, along with 342 fellow firefighters, on 9/11.