Veterans
War Memorial Committee of Whitpain Township
Committee
Nick Teti,
Chairman
Lorraine Bollinger, Secretary-Treasurer
Mike
Behr
Marjorie M. Caplan, ESQ.
Emil
Conti
Albert DeGennaro, ESQ.
Tony
Greco
Edward Lane
Charles
McCracken
Bill McKernan III
Brian
Miles
Edward Mullin, ESQ.
Leigh Narducci, ESQ. John
O’Hara
Bob Wittock
Martin Wurzer
Brian
Young
Adam Zucker, ESQ. Hon. James Gerlach, ESQ.
Hon. John Rafferty, ESQ.
Hon. Kate Harper, ESQ
Hon. Melissa Murphy Weber, ESQ. THE
NEED World
War II was different. For the first time in the modern era, we weren’t
helping defend someone else we were fighting to save our own nation and
our own nation and our way of life. People
didn’t enlist for a one- or two-year tour like today. They signed up for
the duration of the war... or until they died. More than 10% of Whitpain
Township’s total 1940 population - 259 people including four women -
served in the war. Eleven of them paid the ultimate price. It
is long past time to recognize these heroes. While some of them are still
alive, Whitpain Township wants to erect a Memorial to their
bravery. You
can help us. THE
PLAN The
idea for this project came from Whitpain citizens. The Township has
adopted it as a worthy project, formed a Veterans War Memorial Committee,
and committed space, funds and other assistance to see that the Memorial
is created in a professional, first-class manner. The
plan is to erect a simple, heartfelt Memorial consisting of a cleared
area, a display wall, and a series of bronze tablets. On these tablets and
the wall will be listed every one of the 259 Whitpain Township residents
who served during World War II. Special recognition will be given to our
11 fellow citizens who died in service to their country during the war. The
Memorial was designed by resident Ed Lane. This
Memorial will be situated in front of the Whitpain Township building,
easily accessible to all residents day or night. Plenty of room is
available to expand the Memorial in the future or create memorials for
other wars if Township residents desire to. YOU
CAN HELP The
Veterans War Memorial Committee wants all Whitpain Township residents to
take part in this important effort. There
are a number of ways you can help: Purchase
a Brick Residents,
citizens groups, corporations and other entities can purchase and dedicate
individual bricks which will be embedded in the Memorial. Each brick will
bear the donor’s name as a lasting recognition. Make
a Contribution Citzens,
corporations and others can make contributions to help defer the cost of
the Memorial. Any amount is welcome. Contributors will be listed publicly
at the dedication and the names publicized in the local media by the
Township. Volunteer
to Help Create the Memorial There
will be many opportunities for Whitpain Township residents to take part in
this important effort. Expected activities include fundraising, publicity,
coordinating the dedication and historical research; other needs may
emerge as the project moves forward. THE
HISTORY Whitpain
Township actually had a Memorial to World War II servicemen at one point.
A wooden "Honor Roll" stood before one of our schools, listing
the names of all Township residents who fought in the war. A record of
this sign was recently found in the Center Square Firehouse. The
idea to create a new memorial appears to have started with Whitpain
resident Lorraine Bollinger, whose brother-in-law was one of the servicemen
killed. She spoke to fellow resident Bob Whittock in October, 2002 and
asked him to work on the idea. Converstaions with Supervisors Nick Teti
and Tony Greco followed. Bob Whittock has done a great deal of research
gathering details about the veterans; also very helpful in the research
was James H. Seader, Jr., Director of the Montgomery County Department of
Veterans Affairs. The project was approved by the Township supervisors in
late summer, 2003, a committee was formed and the serious work of
creating the Memorial began. People today
don’t remember just how much World War II affected little towns like
ours" says Bob Whittock. "Just one church in the area had 36
people who served. I remember half-hour-long convoys of military vehicles
rumbling through Center Square. I recall rationing, blackouts, air raid
drills and marching in the schoolyard. I had two uncles who served, and
knew many of the people on that list. It’s time to do this." RETURN
TO: Veterans War Memorial Committee of Whitpain Township -
P.O. Box 21 · Blue Bell, PA 19422 Please
attach your check to the form and mail it to the address above. Make
Checks payable to VWMC ___I wish to make a
donation to the Memorial. $__________ ___I wish to
volunteer to help in the following area(s):
_______________________________________________ ___I
wish to purchase_____brick(s) for the Memorial at $100.00 each.
Name:_________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________
City, State, Zip Code:______________________________________
Phone Number/Email:______________________________________ If
you are interested in purchasing one or more bricks, please fill out the
form below. Please be aware that spaces, commas, etc...will count
for one space. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY!
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