Story by CPT Mark Getman / Photos by SGT Mayfied- New York Guard Public Affairs
SLEEPY HOLLOW CEMETERY, New York (AP) — On May 7, 2023, the 105th Aqueduct Defense Memorial Service took place at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, paying tribute to the courageous New York Guard (NYG) members who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting New York City’s water supply during World War I.
Among the attendees were distinguished leaders and members of the New York Guard and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Police.
The memorial ceremony honored the memory of thirty-seven members from the 1st Provisional Regiment of the NYG who succumbed to the 1918 influenza pandemic while safeguarding the city’s aqueducts against sabotage attempts from 1917 to 1918.
Additionally, three other members tragically lost their lives in accidents. The ceremony centered around a poignant marker constructed from a boulder generously donated by the Rockefeller family.
With a rich history spanning over a century, the Aqueduct Defense Memorial Service marked its 105th year of commemorating these valiant defenders.
The current New York Guard, an all-volunteer uniformed state defense force, traces its origins back to the formation of the 1st Provisional Regiment, a dedicated unit created to protect the critical aqueduct system.
Comprising citizen volunteers who patrolled day and night, the regiment demonstrated unwavering commitment to ensuring the uninterrupted flow of water to the city.
Images from the 105th Annual First Provisional Regiment New York Guard Aqueduct Defense Memorial Service at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery on May 7th, 2023. (New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs photos by New York Guard SGT Richard Mayfield)
Colonel Glenn Marchi, Commander of the 56th Area Command, expressed profound admiration for the New York Guard’s pivotal role in safeguarding vital infrastructure.
He remarked, “The NYG service members who protected the aqueduct during World War I deserve unwavering recognition for their commitment and sacrifice. Their extraordinary dedication serves as an enduring inspiration to us all.”
The lingering threat to New York City’s water supply was underscored by the infamous Black Tom bombing in 1916, orchestrated by German saboteurs.
The devastating explosion resulted in extensive damage, including the destruction of the Statue of Liberty, amplifying the need for heightened protection and vigilance.
Colonel Stephen Ryan, Deputy Commander of the New York Guard, underscored the historical significance of their mission.
He emphasized, “The Guard was established with the express purpose of safeguarding the water supply, a duty we carried out with unwavering determination. Today, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protect vital infrastructure.”
As the 105th Aqueduct Defense Memorial Service ended, participants reflected on the remarkable bravery and selflessness of the New York Guard members who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the city’s precious water supply.
Their legacy stands as a resolute reminder of the unyielding dedication to safeguarding critical resources, serving as an enduring source of inspiration for generations to come.
Members of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Police (DEP), New York Guard, and Veterans Corp of Artillery of NY Color Guard conducted the 105th Annual First Provisional Regiment New York Guard Aqueduct Defense Memorial Service at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery on May 7th, 2023.
The ceremony remembers the 40 Soldiers of the New York Guard First Provisional Regiment who died while serving New York during World War I, protecting the New York City Reservoir System. The New York Guard are the predecessors to the current NYC DEP, who protected the systems over one hundred years ago, the mission in which the NYC DEP continues to this day. (New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs photos by New York Guard SGT Richard Mayfield)
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