''We Will Never Forget''

Chadds Ford, PA | 2nd Oldest Vietnam Veterans Monument Re-dedication

This 1966 monument to the men of Delaware County who had fought in the early days of the Vietnam War sat just off southbound Route 202 at Hillman Drive, in the parking lot of a closed bank. On a very cold and windy day in early November 2012 a group of Veterans paid tribute to our fallen Vietnam Veteran Brothers and Sisters.

Then on a sunny October 15th Saturday in 2016 this meaningful monument was re-dedicated to the Vietnam Veterans of Delaware County. Over four years of hard work with many frustrations and set backs it's day had come.

Thank You to Steve Quiqley and his Son for finding and caring for this forgotten monument to the Vietnam Veteran. Steve's brother was a Vietnam Vet.

Peter S. Miller, president of Carlino Commercial Development, the developer of Brandywine Mills said “We’re happy to move the monument to give it a respectful place within our development. I think it will be a perfect gathering spot.”

And thank you to Chadds Ford Township for all of their efforts in making this such a beautiful, peaceful place for all to visit and pay there respects

Chadds Ford Vietnam Veterans Monument Re-dedication October 15, 2016

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This 1966 monument to the men of Delaware County who had fought in the early days of the Vietnam War sits just off southbound Route 202 at Hillman Drive, in the parking lot of a now-closed bank branch. On a very cold and windy day in early November 2012 a group of Veterans paid tribute to our fallen Vietnam Veteran Brothers and Sisters.

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For some local Vietnam veterans, if not most, Saturday was a homecoming of sorts. It was the day the Chadds Ford Vietnam monument — one of the oldest in the country — was rededicated during a ceremony at the monument’s new location in a green area of the Wegmans development.

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Rosely Robinson of A Hero’s Welcome of Delaware presents a certificate of appreciate to Bill Gafford, the president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 67 for your service and sacriface and dedication to the preservation of our freedom. We are pleased to recognize you as an American Hero.

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Rosely Robinson of A Hero’s Welcome of Delaware presents a certificate of appreciate to former Vietnam POW Ralph W. Galati for your service and sacriface and dedication to the preservation of our freedom. We are pleased to recognize you as an American Hero.

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Bill Gafford and Bill DeBlander having a lighter moment about this monuments history.

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Our TAPS bugler Anthony 'Ant' S. Montagno passed away on September 27, 2016.

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Former Vietnam POW Ralph W. Galati and Vietnam Marine JR Jim Robinson

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Rosely Robinson of A Hero’s Welcome of Delaware presents a certificate of appreciate to Vietnam Nurse Marsha Four, Vietnam Veterans of America Vice President for your service and sacriface and dedication to the preservation of our freedom. We are pleased to recognize you as an American Hero.

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Sgt. William F. Mead MPP PP AICP Vietnam Veteran 71-75 can always be counted on to offer his beautiful voice to these special occasions.

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Marine veteran Chuck “Graves” Roth also said the ceremony was long overdue. “For once, somebody did something they said they were going to do to honor Vietnam veterans.” The monument — a cannon on a stone base — was originally dedicated on Veterans’ Day 1966 amid little fanfare. So little that it was only recently when an old newspaper report turned up.

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Air Force veteran and former prisoner of war Ralph Galati called the ceremony a “long overdue Welcome Home.”

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Ralph W. Galati was the featured speaker on Saturday, Oct. 15. He spoke of the time when many Vietnam veterans were cursed at and spat upon here in the states when they came home from the war. They couldn’t wear their uniforms on leave because of the insults of “baby killer,” “drug addict” or “warmonger.” Some concealed their past military service when applying for jobs because of prejudice and mistrust, he said. He’s glad that those attitudes have changed.

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Ralph Galati, a former prisoner of war, says 'freedom as a taste to those who fight and almost die that the protected will never know.' “As citizens, you might disagree with our government. You might not support a particular conflict. But at least today you respect the soldiers, seamen, airmen, and marines that have honorably served our country,” he said. And as a prisoner of war, Galati said, his homecoming was not the problem others had, but being a POW left him with an understanding that others might not have.
“It’s been said until you’ve had your freedom denied, only then do you realize what we have in this great country of ours. Freedom has a taste to those who fight and almost die that the protected will never know,” he said.

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DE Warrior Watch Daniel Kapitanic

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Delaware County Council President Mario Civera, Jr. presenting a proclamation.

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Shepard and Fols of the VNV M/C Chapter E PA present wreaths.

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VVA Chapter 67 offers the 21 gun salute.

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Marine Corps League members along with some Buffalo Soldiers M/C members were present for the re-dedication.

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VNV M/C PA Chapter E member Billy Zane plays TAPS

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Bill Gafford, the President of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 67 making some closing remarks.

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Patrick Hughes, a marine veteran of Vietnam and one of the veterans behind the push to save the monument after it was rediscovered in 2012, said, “Finally, a fitting place was found for this monument to bring meaning to Vietnam vets.”

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Thanks to Vaughn Samuelson for this photograph of my beautiful wife and biggest supporter Sarah.

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Bill Gafford, the president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 67, found the article while preparing for the ceremony. Gafford, of Birmingham Township, is an Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam and Thailand during the war. That story, with no byline, has a photo of the late state Sen. Clarence Bell with Leroy F. F. Wright, the president of the old Delaware County National Bank; Ridley Township resident Lily Mari, the mother of Army Capt. Louis A. Mari; and Mrs. Clifford Dunn, the mother of a Capt. William Carpenter.

Dunn reportedly unveiled the monument’s plaque, which reads: “Dedicated to the men of Delaware County for their valiant service in Vietnam.”<br />It also contains part of a quote from Wendell Willkie: “Freedom is an indivisible word. If we want to enjoy it, and fight for it, we must be prepared to extend it to everyone…” There was no indication of who commissioned the monument or why it was located in a bank parking lot on Route 202. That bank eventually became a Sovereign Bank and it was there in 2012 when Steve Quigley, of Concord Towing, rediscovered it while cleaning out some brush.

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Dunn reportedly unveiled the monument’s plaque, which reads: “Dedicated to the men of Delaware County for their valiant service in Vietnam.”
It also contains part of a quote from Wendell Willkie: “Freedom is an indivisible word. If we want to enjoy it, and fight for it, we must be prepared to extend it to everyone…” There was no indication of who commissioned the monument or why it was located in a bank parking lot on Route 202. That bank eventually became a Sovereign Bank and it was there in 2012 when Steve Quigley, of Concord Towing, rediscovered it while cleaning out some brush.