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.

 

 

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