Isidor Straus: Kruger and Firemen’s Memorial

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The Kruger and Firemen's Memorial in New York City was first suggested in 1908 by the late Episcopal Bishop Henry C. Potter. He preached a sermon at the funeral of Deputy Fire Chief Charles W. Kruger who lost his life while fighting a fire. The memorial's purpose soon became that of honoring all of New York's fallen firemen. Isidor Straus (1845-1912) served on the Kruger and Firemen's Memorial Committee and became its chairman in 1910.

Isidor Straus chaired his last meeting of the Kruger and Firemen's Memorial Fund Committee at 5:30 PM on January 4, 1912 New York City. Two days later, on January 6, 1912, Isidor and Ida Straus (1849-1912) sailed for Europe on the Cunard Steamship Company's "Caronia." This was their final journey. On April 15, 1912, the Strauses were aboard "Titanic" when it sank.

The dedication of the Kruger and Firemen's Memorial took place September 5, 1913. Jesse Isidor Straus (1872-1936), oldest son of Isidor and Ida, presented the Memorial to the city. He said, "We erect monuments to our war heroes and it is fitting that we should erect them to men who fight in the war that never ends."

Links:

“‘Soldiers in a War That Never Ends’ The Kruger and Firemen’s Memorial” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 3 No. 2 (New York: February 2002); pp. 1-3.

http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/________nwsltr802.pdf