Delco Vet Memorial Dedicated — Big names came to Newtown Square, today, May 11, 2013 to dedicate the Delaware County Veterans Memorial, which, as Delaware County Councilman Mario Civera said in his remarks will soon be the landmark on West Chester Pike.
The monument, an arc of pillars embracing a sculpted eagle and
name-engraved pieces of marble, is atop a small hill at Alice Grim
Boulevard. There is a pillar for each of the nation’s wars including the
present one upon which are carved the quotes from the leaders of the
conflicts mingled with the words of local persons who served.
It competes with anything found in Washington D.C. Civera echoed the words of Gov. Tom Corbett who had spoken earlier and noted that not a penny of tax dollars was used in its construction.
The land was donated by developer Claude deBotton, who described himself as an Italian born in Egypt who fled that nation amidst war and persecution to America in 1956.
He spoke of his great love for his adopted land. “Your citizens accepted me,” he said. “Your children protected me. . . God bless you.”
Corbett was introduced by Major General Wesley E. Craig who is the adjutant general of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Corbett, after his remarks, introduced former governor and first secretary of homeland security Tom Ridge. Ridge, a combat veteran from Vietnam, noted the importance of listening to veterans. He said those who have recently served in Iraq and Afghanistan have much to teach us.
Also speaking was 7th District Congressman Patrick Meehan who read a roll of the local persons whose names are quoted on the pillars; former Newtown Supervisor Linda Houldin, who noted how the push for the monument came from Newtown residents and former Marines the late Stan Short and the late Steve Neri; Guy Fizzano, who is president of the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association; and Brigadier Gen. Kevin J. Jacobsen, who is Air Force commander the Office of Special Investigations at Quantico, Va, and is a graduate of Marple Newtown High School.
Keynote speaker was author Benjamin Patton, who is the grandson of Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. and the son of Major Gen. George S. Patton IV.
The invocation was given by Rev. Dr. Wylie W. Johnson of the Springfield Baptist Church. The benediction was given by Rabbie Max Hausen, a World War II veteran and rabbi meridius of Main Line Reform Temple and Father James Kelly, pastor emeritus of St. Piux X Church of Broomall.
Music was provided by retired state trooper Lt. Kevin Pierce and Yvette Pecorao and Christopher Pecoraro.
Everyone worked feverishly to save lives. I learned to administer anesthesia, assisted in back surgery, anything necessary. No one complained. There was not time to feel tired, to even know your feet were hurting. When a lull came, while we waited for the next wave that we knew was inevitable, we would grab a couple of minutes of sleep.
Marge Lozinak Lawrence (Korean War Pillar)
Regretfully I couldn’t attend. It sounds like I missed a wonderful ceremony.