Post 9/11 Fallen Service Member Memorial

The City of New York has identified artists interested in creating a public monument that honors the lives and legacy of the Service Members who died during combat activities in support of Overseas Contingency Operations (Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, and Freedom’s Sentinel combined) associated with the Global War on Terror.

 

BACKGROUND

Overseas Contingency Operations represent the country’s longest sustained military conflict, directly claiming (as of May 15th, 2024 according to the Defense Casualty Analysis System) the lives of 7,064 U.S. Service Members – 5,464 hostile deaths, 1,599 non-hostile deaths, and one pending non-hostile death.  More than 90 of these brave men and women were from New York City. We must never forget our Service Members who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation’s freedom. 

Thanks to the advocacy of New York City’s Veteran community – as expressed through the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) – a memorial will be developed to honor and tell the stories of those we lost during this era of conflict. The terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the military operations that followed forever changed the lives of all Americans. Therefore, in addition to creating a special space for reflection and remembrance, this memorial will also seek to educate everyday New Yorkers about the extraordinary sacrifice these local Service Members and their families made. 

The memorial will also serve as a permanent declaration of “Thank you” and “Welcome Home” to our Post 9/11 Veteran community. The Post 9/11 Veteran community includes, but is not limited to: all who served, those sustaining hidden and non-hidden wounds, those who died for reasons that originated in military service who are not acknowledged by the Defense Department as being combat casualties, those who were not able to return home, the loved ones of all previously mentioned groups (Gold Star Families and Blue Star Families), supporters and allies. This project will serve as an eternal testament to their service by also creating a site for future commemorations and remembrances that engage the local community, Veteran Service Organizations, and New Yorkers who wish to learn about these hometown heroes.

A short list of qualified artists and artist design teams will be announced in September 2024. A final artist concept to be selected no later than early 2025. 

 

MEMORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

An advisory panel composed of individuals who reflect diverse facets of New York City’s Veteran community will assess artist submissions and help create a shortlist of up to five finalists for consideration. The Advisory Committee will screen the broader pool of submissions in order to identify a shortlist of candidates. The artist – or artist team – chosen to design the monument will be determined through the City’s Percent for Art commissioning process.

 

PROPOSED TIMELINE 

May 23, 2024              RFQ opens 

September 2024         Shortlist of qualified artists selected and announced 

November 2024          Conceptual Proposals reviewed, and finalist selected 

January 2025              Design Development begins 

Spring 2027                Estimated completion and dedication 

 

QUESTIONS

If you are Veteran or military-affiliated individual who wishes to submit a suggestion to help guide or support this project, please email connect@veterans.nyc.gov.

Please direct all inquiries regarding this open call to Percent@culture.nyc.gov.