Last Friday, about 250 people, including staff and alumni veterans, attended the Unveiling Ceremony for the new Wissahickon Veterans Memorial. 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.

The Wissahickon Veterans Memorial became a reality through the leadership and support of the Wissahickon Educational Opportunities Foundation (WEOF). A nonprofit, charitable organization, WEOF provides funding exclusively to support the students and schools in the Wissahickon School District.  WEOF launched the memorial fundraising effort in February 2018 and, with the generosity of the school community, veterans, and area businesses, surpassed its goal of raising $40,000 in one year.

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.

As part of the initiative, WHS Junior Ali Meltzer and Sophomore Olivia Welsh helped create Trojan Tributes – bios and videos of current Wissahickon Staff Veterans and Alumni Veterans who died in service. The tributes will be featured on the Wissahickon Wall of Honor in the WHS Audion lobby and on the WSD website. The display also lists all WHS alumni veterans that the district has been able to identify.

Three students entering the military were recognized including: Nicholas Kang ’19, Accepted Student, US Naval Academy; Bryan Thomas, ‘19, USMC Recruit and William Bishop ‘19, Army ROTC Scholarship Recipient, Villanova. Music was provided by the WHS Camerata.

See the video recap from Friday’s unveiling ceremony below:

Wissahickon School District thanks all of the students, staff, families, alumni, veterans and businesses who supported this great initiative!

Feature image: Veterans Memorial Planning Committee