Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association holds Freedom Medal Dinner Nov. 14

Local Veterans to be honored for their bravery and dedication

Delaware County Council joined members of the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association at their Oct. 23 public council meeting to announce the sixth annual Freedom Medal Dinner.

The annual dinner and awards ceremony, hosted by the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association pays tribute to Delaware County Veterans and also raises funds to support educational programs that ensure future generations know about our nation’s military history and sacrifice. Delaware County Council is once again proud to partner with the Veterans Memorial Association to host the sixth annual Freedom Medal Awards dinner on Nov.14 at Springfield County Club.

Delaware County is home to 35,000 Veterans who have bravely served our nation in all branches of the military, at home and on foreign soil.

In 2013, the Delaware County Veterans Memorial in Newtown Square was built as a tribute to the men and women across Delaware County who have served in the United States military. The Memorial serves as a place to learn about war and conflict in U.S. history, a place to reflect upon the bravery and sacrifice of our local Veterans and a place to honor those who have served to defend our rights and protect our freedom.

In September 2019 the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association unveiled a POW/MIA Wall next to the memorial. It serves as another place for residents to learn about the history of our wars and pay tribute to the brave men and women who were prisoners of war or remain missing in action. An empty seat at the wall serves as a constant reminder of the sacrifices made for our country by these American servicemen and women

“Both of these remarkable tributes to our heroes are thanks to the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association, founded in 2013 as a way to recognize and pay tribute to fallen armed forces heroes in Delaware County, “said Councilman Mike Culp. “Council commends the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association for their dedication towards honoring the legacy of our Veterans, prisoners of war and those still missing in action.”

During the meeting, Council presented resolutions to the 2019 Freedom Medal Award winners who will be recognized at the Freedom Medal Dinner.

This year’s recipients are:

Colonel Jeffery Jahnke, U.S. Army
Jeffrey Hill, U.S. Army
Shakur Abdul-Ali, U.S. Army
Patrick J. Hughes, U.S. Marine Corps
Raymond Stankus, U.S. Army
Stephanie Farmer, U.S. Air Force

Wawa will be recognized with the “Dedication to Community” Award, the Springfield Country Club is the recipient of the President’s Award and Josh. P. Welsh is the recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

More information on the Freedom Medal Dinner and the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association can be found here: www.delcoveteransmemorial.org