05-12-08
#30
Historic site at end of McClellan Avenue
restored by Mount Vernon DPW
The very end of McClellan Avenue,
alongside the house where the Delaney sisters used to
live, had been neglected for a very long time. Although
considered a historical site by the City of Mount
Vernon due to the significance of a legendary flagpole
that towers over Memorial Field and the city, along with
the Delaney house, the area was neglected by the
previous administration for a very long time.
When the new mayor of Mount Vernon, Clinton I. Young,
Jr. was apprised of the neglect of such an important and
significant area of Mount Vernon, he immediately
instructed his new Commissioner of Public Works, Terence
Horton, and Will DuBose, Commissioner of Veterans
Affairs, to restore the area.
On Thursday, May 22, under pouring rain, and under
tents, an impressive pre-Memorial Day ceremony was held
to commemorate the restoration of the site. Aside from
the importance of restoring the area, which was
completely overrun with weeds, strewn with garbage and
defaced with graffiti, the ceremony focused on "The
Raising of the Flag at McClellan Avenue Historical
Site."
The flagpole has a rich history, since when it was
first placed at said location, the flag was visible by
residents of the entire city of Mount Vernon and Pelham.
As Mount Vernon's very first flagpole, it towered over
Memorial Field, and played a big role in the naming of
Memorial Field.
In spite of the weather, it was a well attended event,
with families and friends of fallen war veterans in
attendance, along with a host of area dignitaries.
The Master of Ceremonies for the event was Will DuBose,
Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, who routinely serves
as a genial host at such events.
In attendance for the important ceremony, and the
keynote speaker, was Mayor Young, along with a host of
his Commissioners.
"I want to thank Terence Horton, Commissioner of Public
Works, along with Will DuBose, Commissioner of Veterans
Affairs, who did such a commendable job in restoring
this site. I also want to mentioned that we will soon be
breaking ground on a $10 million dollar renovation of
Memorial Field, which is clearly visible from here, in
an effort to continue honoring those who have made the
supreme sacrifice," said Mayor Young.
Prior to the end of the ceremony, Mayor Young was asked
to raise the flag up the newly restored flagpole,
prompting a two minute ovation from the large gathering
of guests who braved the rainy conditions to attend the
important ceremony.
Facing the newly restored flagpole is the house where
Sarah Louise "Sadie" Delany and Annie Elizabeth "Bessie"
Delany lived, the famous authors and internationally
known civil rights pioneers. Sadie, the older of the
two, was the first African-American woman to be allowed
to teach Domestic Science in the State of New York.
Bessie was the second black woman to be granted a
dentistry license in New York State.
One neighbor in attendance, who lives in near the
flagpole, was overheard stating: "It took a new mayor to
restore this incredibly historical part of Mount
Vernon."
Mayor Young
speaking during the ceremony, with Will DuBose,
Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, standing to his
immediate right.
Mayor
Young raising the American flag at the restored flagpole
with the
help of DPW Commissioner Terence Horton.
Youngsters
watching the American flag being raised by Mayor Young
Commissioner Horton receiving an award for playing a
major role in
restoring the site.
The
former residence of the Delaney sisters is in close
proximity to the restored
flagpole.
