Veterans give us many gifts—safety, security and freedom. Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11th, provides an opportunity to pause and honor their service. The date marks the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the armistice was signed to end World War I. Originally called Armistice Day, it was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to recognize all American veterans. Though briefly moved to October in 1968 as part of the Uniform Holiday Bill, President Ford restored the observance to November 11 in 1975, ensuring the holiday would always align with that historic date.
There are many ways to honor veterans right here in our community. Each year, the Delaware County Veterans Legacy organizes the Veterans Day Parade in Media—a beloved community tradition filled with flags, music and pride. The Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association (DCVMA) hosts its own Veterans Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony, a solemn gathering open to all, as well as its annual Freedom Medal Dinner, held each November at Springfield Country Club. This special evening benefits the DCVMA and is dedicated to honoring the distinguished recipients of the Freedom Medal.
Throughout the year, the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association hosts ceremonies that keep this spirit of remembrance alive. The Casket Flag Raising Ceremonies, held monthly from April through November, are particularly moving. Each event features the raising of a flag that once draped the casket of a local veteran, connecting past to present. In 2023, the memorial marked its tenth anniversary with the burial of a time capsule containing photographs, newspapers and mementos from the community—an enduring message of remembrance for future generations to uncover 50 years later, in 2073.
Attending these events is one way to express appreciation, but smaller gestures can be just as meaningful. Ask a veteran about their service. Listen to their stories. Support a veteran-owned business. Or simply thank them. The National Park Service even offers free admission to all veterans on November 11, making it a perfect time to enjoy the beauty of the land they defended.
If you have not visited the Delaware County Veterans Memorial in Edgmont, your Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors encourage you to go and experience it this month. Each corner of the site holds a layer of meaning and emotion, reflecting the courage and unity of those who have served. Dedicated in 2013, the memorial was created to give Delaware County a place where community members could reflect, learn and remember.
The Delaware County Veterans Memorial stands as a powerful, open-air tribute—an enduring promise never to forget the sacrif ices of our nation’s military personnel. This living legacy honors the service of all veterans, past, present and future, through its thoughtful design and symbolic features. Visitors are invited to explore its various elements, each telling a story of courage, remembrance and the price of freedom.
At the very top of the memorial, the inscription “Lest We Forget” immortalizes our collective promise to all veterans and their families that we will never forget. Those three words are the heartbeat of the site, a sacred pledge of never-ending gratitude. Surrounding them are nine granite columns inscribed with quotes from presidents, generals and soldiers—each one capturing the ideals of courage, sacrifice and honor.
The Hall of Prayers, one of the memorial’s most striking elements, is an open-air chapel designed as a fallen tree with roots f irmly planted in American soil. The structure represents the wounded warrior who refuses to fall, supported by the strength of their comrades and the love of those at home. Inside, visitors can read messages written to veterans from Delaware County’s municipalities and the County Council—a display of appreciation that unites the entire community in one powerful voice.
At the center of the site is the Memorial Fountain, its water symbolizing eternal life and peace. The fountain reminds us that through remembrance, the spirit of our veterans continues to live on. Rising from its base is an alabaster American Bald Eagle perched on a granite column. The eagle, strong and vigilant, represents the nation’s enduring freedom, carried forward by every generation of servicemen and women.
Between the Memorial and the Hall of Prayers stands the Statuary Circle, an impressive collection of sculptures that embody the strength and unity of America’s soldiers. At its center is a life-size Battlefield Cross with a rifle, boots and helmet to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Nearby is a bronze statue of “Wild Bill” Guarnere, the decorated World War II veteran from South Philadelphia. Wild Bill, who lost a leg in combat yet continued to serve, symbolizes the resilience and courage of all who wear the uniform.
Another deeply emotional feature is the POW/MIA Wall, where an “empty chair” faces a black granite wall etched with the words that honor prisoners of war and those still missing in action. The simplicity of this monument speaks volumes, reminding us that remembrance also means a responsibility to remember not just the fallen, but those who never came home.
DCVMA’s President, Joe Daly recently announced that plans have been approved and preparations have begun to lay the foundation for a new Veterans Hall at the memorial. “This new space will honor the legacy of our heroes and provide a gathering place for veterans and their families,” Joe said proudly. “Every brick laid is a step toward strengthening our mission: to honor, educate and remember.”
The Delaware County Veterans Memorial offers more than a place to visit; it offers perspective. It reminds us that freedom has a price and that gratitude must be shown, not just spoken. Whether you attend a ceremony, lay a wreath or simply stand quietly among its granite columns, you will feel the weight and warmth of its message.
This Veterans Day, may we take time to honor those who stood for something greater than themselves. Visit the Delaware County Veterans Memorial at 4599 West Chester Pike in Newtown Square, and let its timeless message echo long after you leave: Lest We Forget.