Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
Curt Ritter (212) 788-2971
"This is perhaps the most prominent and visible Armed Forces recruiting station in the country and it has been responsible for enlisting thousands of men and women to serve in the United States Armed Forces," said Mayor Giuliani. "I can think of no better place for an Armed Forces recruiting station then at the Crossroads of the World — Times Square — where each year millions of visitors come to see a Broadway show and walk under the bright lights and neon signs.
"In symbol and in reality, the presence of this station has contributed to the strength of our Armed Forces and to the strength and stability of our democracy," the Mayor continued. "Through the dedication and hard work of the local Armed Force recruiters this station is an important part of our City's landscape and a symbol of our freedom for all to see. I want to commend the recruiters who have been so successful over the years — the station recruits over 200 soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines each year, with 75 percent of the "business" coming from walk-ins off the street. I also look forward to the construction of the new recruitment station, which is projected to start in September," the Mayor concluded.
Secretary of Defense Cohen said, "I want to congratulate the local recruiters for their outstanding efforts in enlisting men and women to serve in our Armed Forces. I also want to thank Mayor Giuliani and the various Veterans' groups for their support in seeing that this station remain in Times Square, where it will continue to serve as a symbol of freedom and democracy to all who pass by."
Mayor Giuliani and Secretary Cohen congratulated outgoing supervisor, Staff Sergeant Larry Ruiz, and the staff of the Armed Forces Recruitment Station for their outstanding work in recruitment, and welcomed the incoming supervisor, Staff Sergeant Bridgett Alexander. The station's staff also includes Navy recruiter, Staff Sergeant Stan Hairston; Air Force recruiter, Staff Sergeant Armando Diaz, Jr.; and Marine recruiter, Staff Sergeant A. Crepio.
Established in 1946, the Times Square Recruiting Station was the nation's first one-stop joint armed forces recruiting facility. It was constructed and is maintained at federal expense and serves as the busiest walk-in recruitment office in the country.
After careful review by the Department of Defense and New York City, the recruitment station will be modernized in keeping with the recent changes in Times Square. The station will have several new features that will make it more attractive to potential recruits and make the office more comfortable for its staff, with the inclusion of a restroom, a feature not included for the 52 years of the station's existence. The $600,000 project is being financed by the Army Corps of Engineers and is expected to commence this September, 1998.