NMB Rededicates Gun Mount On Memorial Day
NORTH MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) – As part of South Florida's Memorial Day celebrations, the City of North Miami Beach has rededicated its newly restored memorial gun mount.
Over the years, the memorial gun mount and fountain fell victim to the harsh Florida sun, weather and salt from the nearby ocean, leaving it faded, corroded and rusted.
But following a $63,000 restoration project, the newly restored gun mount was rededicated Monday morning at the intersection of NE 19th Avenue and 167th Street.
"As a big proponent for the gun mount restoration, I couldn't be happier to finally see this project come to fruition," said North Miami Beach Councilwoman Barbara Kramer. "The memorial serves as a testament to the heroes of our community who lived and died for our freedom."
The project scope included refinishing and painting of the gun, structurally reinforcing the base, and updating the site with LED lighting. The original memorial included a fountain at the base of the gun mount. The fountain was not rebuilt due to excessive cost of re-plumbing the entire base structure.
The memorial gun mount was originally dedicated on July 4, 1955 as a gift to the City by the North Miami Beach Junior Chamber of Commerce and through the efforts of Councilman Emanuel G. Arnold "in memory of those who served God and country." It was rededicated around in 1986 by the Junior Jaycees.
The historic World War II naval gun stands approximately 15 feet high and sits atop of a concrete pedestal; the fountain base is shaped in the form of a naval boat.
