The United States Army held a ceremony at The Evergreens Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York on August 26 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn. Military representatives, politicians, veterans, and community members attended the event to pay tribute to the soldiers who fought for independence through music performances, historical reviews, and a white oak tree commemoration ceremony.
A newly planted white oak tree stands in the sailor’s section of the cemetery, surrounded by American flags. Historical reenactors in uniforms from the Revolutionary War era stood solemnly alongside active-duty military personnel. 250 years ago, the Continental Army felled a massive oak tree to block the British troops in Brooklyn; a new white oak tree now stands in The Evergreens Cemetery.
The event kicked off with the Flag Detail of the US Army New York City Recruiting Battalion marching in, followed by musical performances of the national anthem by the New York String Music Society and the Statue of Liberty Band. Attendees stood facing the flag in a show of respect.
Julie Bose, Chair of The Evergreens Cemetery and The Evergreens Cemetery Preservation Foundation, noted that the cemetery was established in 1849 and is the final resting place for veterans of various American wars, including those from the Revolutionary War. It is also classified as a Level II Accredited Arboretum. Bose highlighted the cemetery’s dual significance in military history and natural ecology, making the white oak tree commemoration particularly fitting.
Among the attendees were Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Karp of the US Army New York City Recruiting Battalion, Council Member Sandy Nurse, Democratic candidate for the 54th Assembly District Christian Celeste Tate, Deputy Borough President of Brooklyn Kimberly Council, Wellington Chen, Executive Director of the Chinatown Partnership and member of The Evergreens Cemetery Board of Directors, and Frank Yee, Chairman of the Chinatown Business Improvement District.
The choice of The Evergreens Cemetery for the commemoration event is significant as the area was a crucial battleground on the eastern side of the Battle of Brooklyn. Karp explained that the high ground connected to Jamaica Pass and roads leading inland in Brooklyn, which the British forces used to outflank the Continental Army.
The Battle of Brooklyn, also known as the Battle of Long Island, erupted on August 27, 1776, marking the first major battle after the Declaration of Independence and the one with the highest number of combatants in the Revolutionary War. After the British landed on Long Island, they sent about ten thousand soldiers to attack the rear of the Continental Army through the vulnerable Jamaica Pass on the night of the 26th.
By dawn, the Continental Army found themselves trapped between the British and Hessian forces, leading to a rapid collapse of their defenses. Facing the danger of being surrounded and annihilated, George Washington managed to secretly retreat the main body of the army across the East River on the nights of August 29 and 30, preserving his troops.
Karp noted that while the battle was a tactical failure, it was a strategic victory as it allowed the Continental Army to continue the fight. Nurse, a Navy veteran, remarked on the soldiers who risked their lives for a nascent nation, saying, “Though we lost this battle, we ultimately won the war.”
The newly planted white oak tree pays homage to the “Dongan Oak” near Battle Pass at Prospect Park. The Continental Army had cut down this giant tree to use as a barrier. Despite the defense eventually being breached, the Dongan Oak became a symbol of Brooklyn’s preservation of Revolutionary War history.
Karp mentioned that the white oak tree before them could grow for another 250 years. He emphasized the need for a strong military to ensure the country’s future, noting the willingness of young patriots across the nation to serve.
Staff Sergeant Taylor Scott-Ellison, who served for 11 years in the Army, shared how her military service transformed her life by providing educational opportunities and a foundation for stability. Through veteran housing loans, she purchased her first home, crediting the Army for shaping her into the person she is today.
The Evergreens Cemetery not only preserves American war history but also documents the early presence of the Chinese community in New York. Bose highlighted that the cemetery was the first in New York State to bury Chinese Americans and has continued to provide burial services for Chinese individuals since the enforcement of the Chinese Exclusion Act.
“We welcome everyone regardless of their religious beliefs, and that’s what makes New York City so special,” Bose said, underscoring the enduring connection between the cemetery and the Chinese community. A new Chinese burial section has been recently established in the Beacon Hill Section 8.
Within the cemetery, several gravestones bear Chinese names. Dating back to 1853, the sailor’s section where the event took place already had Chinese sailors buried there. “Celestial Hill” within the cemetery is one of New York’s earliest Chinese burial areas. Over time, other sections like Kwong Fai Toi and Wing Lok were designated for Chinese burials, each marked by Chinese gravestones that trace the footsteps of early Chinese immigrants in New York.
Spanning approximately 225 acres across Brooklyn and Queens, The Evergreens Cemetery houses over 538,000 individuals and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Its hills, trees, and headstones collectively preserve memories from different eras – from soldiers who fought for American independence to early Chinese immigrants who made the journey to New York.
As the event drew to a close, attendees shifted their focus back to the small tree. Francisco Davila, a certified arborist at The Evergreens Cemetery, described the resilient white oak tree as capable of withstanding various conditions, symbolizing resilience, hope, and strength.
Davila attended the event with his daughter Lenore, who was less than a year old. The birth of his daughter, the planting of the white oak tree, and The Evergreens Cemetery’s history all coincided in the same year. He expressed hope that his daughter would one day climb the tree, care for it, and enjoy the shade it provides, looking towards the next 250 years.