HISTORY OF THE MEMORIAL

Photo courtesy of Patrick J. Hughes Photography

Newtown Township was the only Township in Delaware County without a Veterans Memorial. Veterans Steve Neri (deceased) and Stan Short (deceased) approached Linda Houldin (deceased) who was, at the time, a Township Supervisor in Newtown to request help with getting a memorial built. The only request they had was that the Memorial be on West Chester Pike so that everyone could see it. Linda approached Claude de Botton with the idea of erecting a Veterans Memorial along the Pike. Claude and the de Botton family agreed to construct the Memorial at its current location at the intersection of Alice Grim Blvd and West Chester Pike. Claude being so grateful for all this nation has given him through the selflessness of our Military, knelt down on the very spot where the Delaware County Veterans Memorial was to be built and kissed the hallowed ground.