Wissahickon Veterans Memorial
WEOF launched the memorial fundraising effort in February 2018 and, with the generosity of our school community and area businesses, surpassed our goal of raising $40,000 in one year! We hope the new memorial will serve as a solemn and beautiful place for students and our community to recognize the sacrifices of our veterans and honor those who serve.
About 250 people, including students, staff and alumni veterans, attended the Unveiling Ceremony for the new Wissahickon Veterans Memorial on Friday, May 24, 2019. Following the Presentation of Colors by the American Legion Post 769, remarks were given by Veterans, Dr. James Crisfield, USAF, WSD Superintendent; Johnathan Woodward, USAF, WHS Class of 2008, Police Officer, Hatfield Township Police Department; and Scott Williamson, USA, Lower Gwynedd Elementary Art Teacher. Three students entering the military were recognized including: Nicholas Kang '19, Accepted Student, US Naval Academy; William Bishop '19, Army ROTC Scholarship Recipient, Villanova and Bryan Thomas, '19, USMC Recruit. Music was provided by the WHS Camerata.
Guests also viewed the Wissahickon Wall of Honor in the Audion Lobby that now includes Trojan Tributes - bios and videos of current Wissahickon Staff Veterans and Alumni Veterans who died in service. These were created with the help of WHS Junior Ali Meltzer and Sophomore Olivia Welsh.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS WHO MADE THE VETERANS MEMORIAL POSSIBLE!
Watch the highlights from the ceremony (5 minutes)
Watch the full ceremony (38 minutes)
Veterans Memorial Planning Committee
Dr. James A. Crisfield, Superintendent
Chaplain Jim Potts, American Legion Post 769
Mark Futch, Commander, American Legion Post 769
Wayne Wilson, Service Officer, American Legion Post 769
Fred Conner, Historian, American Legion Post 769
Warren Barnhardt, Adjutant, American Legion Post 769
Maryann Slater, Lower Gwynedd Elementary
Tishara O’Brien, Stony Creek Elementary
Cynthia Tschepikiewski, Shady Grove Elementary
Jim Shoemaker, WHS
Mark Michaels, WEOF
Gerry Moore, WSD Facilities Director
Robert McQuade, WSD Facilities
Kristen Rawlings, WSD Communications
Sponsors
Wissahickon School District and Wissahickon Educational Opportunities Foundation (WEOF) would like to thank our sponsors whose generous contributions made the Veterans Memorial possible.
School Partners
Through a variety of fundraising initiatives at every school, Wissahickon staff, students and families raised more than $15,000. Thank you to the staff and student leaders who organized these efforts! Special shout out to Maryann Slater, Tishara O’Brien, Cynthia Tschepikiewski, Jim Shoemaker, Emily Morin, and Caeli Duke for organizing the fundraising efforts at their schools.
Project Sponsors
These companies provided pro bono services and/or donated materials for the memorial site and structural plan, foundation construction, lighting and landscaping.
- Anthony Biddle Contractors Inc.
- Connor Electric
- Deck’s Landscaping Inc.
- Mulhern & Kulp
- Woodrow & Associates
Patriot Sponsors ($1,000 or more)
Bruce Carnevale, Bradford White Corp.
Class of 1968
Class of 2018
Colonel Denise Wurzbach
David & Donna Caddick, Caddick Construction
Joseph & Nadine Truitt
Lockheed Martin
Bob & Cathy McQuade
Rotary Club of Blue Bell
Valentina Kanter
WHS Boys Lacrosse Team
Freedom Sponsors ( $500-$999)
Arif Fazil, D’Huy Engineering
Ciavarelli Family Funeral Homes
dRemodeling LLC
Fred Connor
Jennifer Dickerson
Matthew Hillbush, Mainstay Engineering
Panache
Robin & Gwen Breslin
Tom & Sandra McClintic
Wynn Family
Liberty Sponsors ($250-$499)
Bonnie-Ann Brill Keagy
Class of 1978
Dr. James A. Crisfield
E.P. Guidi, Inc.
Edward Bean, U.S.M.C
Ian Williams
Jacob & Nicholas Kang
James Thompson
Jay Gelman
Jeff Sultanik, Fox Rothschild, LLP
John Duffy III
Joseph Dunn
Maryann Slater’s Class
Maza, David & Hoeffel
Stan Richelson
State Rep. Kate Harper
Stephen Yusem
Yixing/Arthur Zhao
Valor Sponsors ($100-$249)
American Legion District 9
Ann Press
Anthony Teramino
Bill Schmitt, Allstate Insurance
Carol Benigno
Carola Wingerter
Chris Shea
Elena Chong
Elizabeth & Philip Colonna
Girl Scouts of Eastern PA, Troop 7891
James Gresh
John Tumolo
Linda Caffier
Maryann Slater
Matt Prince
Michale Spence
Mike & Stacey Hajdak
Peter & Francine Lowry
S Chester
Heroes Sponsor
$50-$99
Anne Gittes
Carol Pearson
Cathy Pierlott
Elisabeth Hall
Freeman Family
Greg Driscoll
Harry Leister, Four Aces Investment Club
John & Carol Ohlson
Ken Dubbs
Kristen Rawlings
Lynn & Richard Marta
Melograno Family
Peter Sinopoli
Tim Donovan
Tricia Groarke