Help Us Bring the Stories of Kew Gardens WWII Heroes to Life

In the heart of Kew Gardens stands a modest yet poignant World War II monument, erected and dedicated on Memorial Day May 31, 1948, to honor 27 sons of this neighborhood who made the ultimate sacrifice during the war. Over the years, their names, once honored, have become vague and unfamiliar, inscribed into metal, their stories forgotten. We aim to change that by breathing life back into their names and stories.

Did you know that one of the sons of Kew Gardens, listed on the WWII monument, died on December 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor? These 27 men lived lives filled with promise, their dreams left unfulfilled, and their families left to mourn them. We want to honor them again by telling their stories through photos, newspaper articles, and personal accounts.

Our Mission:

We are creating a Kew Gardens, World War II Memorial book to honor and offer our respect to these 27 young men who called Kew Gardens home. This book is more than a collection of biographies; it’s a tribute to their courage, their lives, and their legacy. Inspired by the ancient Egyptian proverb, "To speak the name of the dead is to bring them back to life," our goal is to ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten.

Why Your Support Matters

Your contribution will help us:

1. Complete and Publish the Book: We aim to distribute copies to every library in Queens, placing their stories in reference rooms for generations to come.

2. Restore the WWII Monument Area: The monument, located on land owned by the New Homestead Living Facility, deserves proper care. Funds will go toward cleaning up the space around the monument and create a dignified setting worthy of these heroes.

3. Organize a Memorial Day Ceremony in 2025: To commemorate the monument and the book launch, we’ll host a special event with local dignitaries, including Sabri and Dominick, who represent the past and present of Kew Gardens.

How Your Donation Will Be Used

We are committed to full transparency. Here’s a breakdown of how the funds will be allocated:

• Book Costs: Writing, editing, design, printing, and distribution.

• Monument Cleanup: Landscaping, minor repairs, and creating an inviting space for reflection.

• Ceremony Expenses: Event setup, invitations, and Kew Gardens outreach.

Why Now?

Time has a way of eroding memories. War monuments worldwide are often reduced to lists of forgotten names. But these were real people, sons of Kew Gardens, with dreams, families, and futures cut short. As we approach Memorial Day 2025, let’s honor their memory by sharing their stories and ensuring that their names are spoken with reverence and pride.

Join us in keeping their legacy alive. Together, we can bring history to life and remind the world that these 27 heroes were not just names, they were our neighbors, our friends, and our family.