''We Will Never Forget''

Chadds Ford, PA | Vietnam Veterans Monument

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. There are 185 Delaware County Vietnam Veterans names on “The Wall”.

Steve Quigley who runs a towing company just up the street thinks this Vietnam Veterans Monument deserve better, over the past two years, Steve, his son and some friends have been unofficial caretakers for the monument, knocking down weeds, trimming branches and placing flags on the pole nearby.

Construction to be done on the site it is presently located will prevent it from staying where it is at. A decel lane for the loop road and the intersection of the loop road puts this monument in harms way. Steve said that keeping this historic monument in Chadds Ford is the right thing to do. It was built and dedicated in the township and that’s where its home should be.

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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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Steve Quigley who runs a towing company just up the street thinks this Vietnam Veterans Monument deserve better, over the past two years, Steve, his son and some friends have been unofficial caretakers for the monument, knocking down weeds, trimming branches and placing flags on the pole nearby.

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The Vietnam Veterans M/C came to the ceremonies along with numerous other Vietnam Veterans and civilians.

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Tom 'Shoes' McCann of the Leathernecks M/C also braved the cold morning

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You can see where vandals have tried to scavenge the cannon barrel, which is why Steve Quigley wants to give the monument a new home – and soon.

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Bill Manley who would have been 26 at the time tells editor Richard Schwartzman of Chadds Ford Live on line publication that he was present when this monument was dedicated. We are looking into his story with more details to follow.

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Some of the VNV M/C Veterans are also members of VFW Post 598 of Darby, PA who provided the rifles for the 21 gun salute.

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'Graves' leads those in attendance with the Pledge of Allegiance.

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“I pledge allegiance to the Flag”

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Jack Corcoran Vietnam 67-68, 5th Marines, Golf Co. 1st Platoon, 3rd Squad

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Chuck 'Graves' Roth reads a Vietnam soldiers prayer.

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Steve Quigley laid the wreath at the monument

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A wreath was laid in the traditional VNV M/C colors, "Red is for the Bloodshed, Black is for the Mourning" and some White was added for those still living.

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The 3-volley salute is a ceremonial act performed at military and police funerals as part of the drill and ceremony of the Honor Guard. It consists of a rifle party firing blank cartridges into the air three times.