Veterans from legal community honored Sunday, DCVMA announces fall events
NEWTOWN » The newest veterans monument in the region, the Delaware County Veterans Memorial located on West Chester Pike in Newtown Square partners with the Delaware County Bar Association for the inaugural Flying of 11 Veteran Casket Flags from the Legal Community at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10.
The event is part of the memorial’s monthly services from April through November honoring service to country, family, culture and traditions.
The Delaware County Bar Association acknowledges and honors these members for exemplary citizenship and military service to the U.S.
The 10 veteran casket flags from the legal community include:
• William C. Archbold, Jr., Esq., U.S. Army, First Lieutenant, Korea
• Senator Clarence D. Bell, U.S. Army and Army Reserves, Major General, World War II
• Hon. Francis J. Catania, Esq., U.S. Army Air Forces, China-Burma India Theatre
• Hon. Joseph T. Doyle, Esq, U.S. Army, Private First Class, Germany
• O. Warren Higgins, Esq, U.S. Army Air Forces, World War II
• Edward Kassab, Esq., Merchant Marine amd U.S. Army, Lieutenant
• John J. Maffei, Esq., U.S. Navy, Norfolk, Va.
• Charles R. Rankin, Esq., U.S. Army Air Corps, Second Lieutenant, Great Britain
• Hon. Matthew J. Ryan, Esq., U.S. Marine Corps, First Lieutenant
• Hon. Robert A. Wright Esq., U.S. Army, World War II
The ceremony is conducted by DCVMA board members and the Delaware County Veterans Alliance and includes a Rifle Salute presented by the Vietnam Vets of America dedicated to the Fallen Hero’s of 9/11 as the 11th Flag. The Media Theatre State Street Miracles and Theresa Flanagan Murtagh, Esq., provide music.
The monthly ceremonies, held rain or shine, continue on Oct. 15 and Nov. 13.
Fox29’s “Good Day Philadelphia” morning news program hosts a Salute to the Troops on Sept. 15, closing down Market Street outside the Fox studios for a Veterans Block Party. The event, open to the public, features the Freedom Medal Honorees Bill Kinney, U.S. Marine Corp and Wounded Warrior Rusty Carter, U.S. Army. They are joined by DCVMA founding member Linda Houldin and co-Vice President and Silver Star recipient, Dennis Murphy, U.S. Army.
The second annual Give Blood Sweat Cheer Festival is on site at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial on Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day of family fun includes a trail run, yoga fitness festival, beer garden, food trucks and free access to a kids’ zone.
Partnering with the Delaware County Historical Society, the memorial welcomes all veterans to a “Salute all Veterans, Lest We Forget to Say ‘Thank You for your Service’” event on Friday, Oct. 13. The event features a live broadcast with Cruisin’ 92.1 WVLT’s Lou Costello from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The live radio broadcast includes prizes, tours and refreshments by Luigi & Giovanni’s and Ariano’s. Small businesses and corporations are encouraged to participate by sending employees who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and may send a logo vehicle to surround the memorial on the day of the event.
The fourth annual Freedom Medal Gala is held on Nov. 16 at the Springfield Country Club. 2017 recipients include: Veterans Sean Sweeney, Officer Jennifer Jones, Martin Costello, Jerry Sweeley and Bill Kinney; for education, Dr. Tina Kane; President’s Award recipient County Councilman David White; and for community service, the Videon family represented by David and Steve Videon and Vicki Videon Kline.
For information on the memorial, visit www.delcoveteransmemorial.org