By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
This month, public officials, school staff and students, and veterans will gather on the grounds of Pennsauken High School to dedicate a monument that honors both alumni and residents who have served their country in the Armed Forces.
The dedication ceremony will take place on Thursday, Oct. 13 and feature performances from Pennsauken High School’s marching band and Double Dozen choir; a ceremonial entrance and recognition of veterans in attendance; the commemoration of servicemen and women who lost their lives while in service to their country; as well as other special presentations. Keynote speakers include Major General Steven Hashem, United States Army; and Sgt. Peter DiAntonio ‘68, United States Navy.
“We’re extremely appreciative of the support we’ve received from Township government and the Pennsauken School District to help make this monument happen,” says Panarella. “We invite the Pennsauken community, especially our veterans, to join us for this special event.”
The veterans monument, already in place at Pennsauken High School, consists of three sections in a “wing” design. The main monument is dedicated to the men and women of Pennsauken High School, who served their country in the military and includes the emblems of the six service branches. The first wing is engraved with the quote from John Maxwell Edmonds, a poet known for the famous epitaph he wrote for the war cemetery commemorating the fallen of the Battle of Kohima in April 1944: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, ‘For their tomorrow, we gave our today.’” The other wing contains the names of any resident of Pennsauken Township who died during any war.
The dedication ceremony for the monument begins on Thursday, Oct. 13, 9:15 a.m. at Pennsauken High School, 800 Hylton Rd.; veterans wishing to participate in the ceremonial procession and recognition are asked to begin arriving at 8:00 a.m. It is expected that there will be a large number of people in attendance. Those wishing to come to the dedication are asked to arrive early and carpool if possible.
Donations are still being collected for the memorial and can be sent to the Alumni Veterans Memorial Fund, c/o Pennsauken Board of Education, 1695 Hylton Rd., Pennsauken N.J. 08110, attention: Noreen Boston. There is also a limited number of engraved stone pavers to be placed along the walkway of the monument, which will be used to recognize all veterans of all wars who served in the United States Military. Pavers are available at $50 each. For more information on the paver project, contact Jerry Hutton at (609) 605-2156.
