The Feb. 21 edition of the Fund for a Better Waterfront newsletter contained an article entitled, “Sinatra Drive Project Provides Opportunity to Upgrade the Long-Neglected Central Waterfront.”

The last bullet point of the proposal to use the $1.2 million in proceeds from two grants to reconstruct Sinatra Drive and add a protected bicycle pathway from Fourth to 11th Streets was:

• “The World War II memorial can be greatly improved and situated nearby in a more dignified, prominent setting.”

I, and my family, strongly DISAGREE with the proposal to move the Hoboken World War II Memorial from its present location of significance and honor. We can think of no better “dignified, prominent setting” than its present one on the Hoboken waterfront with the magnificent New York City skyline in the background.

My father, Roy Huelbig, a WWII veteran and Purple Heart recipient, tirelessly worked as chairman of the Hoboken World War II Memorial Fund Committee for six years to make this tribute to the 159 Hoboken citizens who gave their lives in WWII a reality. The dedication ceremony in November 2008 was attended by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, state Sen. Brian Stack, former New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Bernard Kenny, then-Mayor David Roberts, the Hoboken City Council and members of the Hoboken WWII Memorial Fund Committee, who all helped secure funding for the memorial.

My family and friends of the Hoboken WWII Memorial will be watching development of the proposal closely and will do all we can to thwart the relocation of this significant piece of Hoboken’s history which is listed on The Historical Marker Database.

Please sign this petition to keep the Hoboken WWII Memorial in its present location on the Hoboken waterfront and 4th street. 

Sincerely, 

The Huelbig Family