Among the more significant features of the New Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, presented by New York Community Bank, is a serene memorial to Long Islanders who have served their nation in the United States military.
The thousands of men and women who served in many capacities –– from U.S. Army infantry, to Air Force pilots, Navy submariners and members of the Marine Corps and Coast Guard –– will be honored at the Veterans Memorial.
Positioned in a prominent location by the front entrance, within the newly renovated plaza, the Veterans Memorial will feature a graceful and iconic sculpture honoring veterans. The focal point of the memorial will be a dark granite oval, 19 and a half feet by 16 and a half feet in diameter, set above the plaza surface, which will be one of several memorial elements. A delicate, constant water source will bubble from the center of the stone and spread over its surface, forming a moving film of water that will wrap the edges of the stone as an “infinity edge.” In the center of the monument, emerging from the water's surface, National Grid will honor the veterans with an eternal flame.
The redevelopment of the Coliseum is an opportunity to make a new and more visible commitment to honoring the veterans for whom the venue was named ––the loved ones who make up Long Island’s families, friends and neighbors, Nassau County officials said.
"The contrasting elements in constant movement –– set within a simple, yet dramatic form ––will provide a stunning tribute to our nation's veterans for decades to come," according to Bruce Ratner, executive chairman of Forest City Ratner Companies.
“It's a privilege to honor the veterans and a priority to recognize the building's storied history,” said Dmitry Razumov, chairman of the Board of Directors for Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment.
“We are so proud to honor the men and women who have served our country and our local communities with the eternal flame as a symbol of our gratitude and remembrance of their commitment,” said Ken Daly, National Grid president for New York. “National Grid has an active internal Veterans Employee Resource Group that focuses on the external training and job recruitment of veterans, and provides support and recognition for our veteran employees and for military families and veterans in need –– on Veterans Day and every day.”
“New York Community Bank has shared the desire to memorialize our veterans beyond the venue’s name from day one. We are honored to be part of making this Memorial Plaza happen and know it will be a meaningful tribute to those who have served,” said Kelly Maude Leung, the senior vice president of Corporate Communications for New York Community Bank.
Two of the top five New York counties with the largest veteran populations as of September 2013 were Suffolk County, with 79,600 veterans, and Nassau County, with 57,900.
“The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum will have a respectful plaza dedicated to honoring all of our county's hometown heroes,” said County Executive Ed Mangano.
William Harms, of the United Veterans Organization, said, “The plans for the Veterans Memorial are a fitting tribute to all American veterans. We are pleased that such a beautiful memorial will be a substantial and significant feature of a venue that will be enjoyed by so many in the Long Island veteran community.”
The new Coliseum, scheduled to reopen April 5, 2017, after extensive renovation, will offer 13,000 seats for hockey, 13,500 for basketball and 14,500 for standard concert configurations, with the ability to flex up. The bowl will have a theater seating option for 4,000 guests.
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