Veterans Memorial Park and Education Center

07/04/2026

06/25/2026

June 25th, 1950 was "the begining", July 27th,1953 "the end" of what became known as the "Forgotten War"...Korea. With almost 34,000 American lives lost, and around 7,800 unaccounted for it should not have been called that.

Today, I remembered Joe Munoz, our brother-in-law, who fought on the front lines, and came home a different person. He carried those "scars" for the rest of his life.

I remembered a night at a Legion Meeting when 3 who served during that period were given out a Korean service medal, Leonard Balch, Bill Roberts, and Bob Elston. Know there were many others from our area that served then also. I thought of them. Thought of the families that lost loved ones.

As people gather to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our Nation with parades, picnics, fireworks, the tall ships, and so many other ways that celebrations will take place, pause to remember the military men and women who served and are still serving. They are the ones that brought PEACE when talks failed, they are the ones that left home, family, and friends. Yes, they were young, yes they were scared but they answered the call, did as asked and protected us here at home. May God Bless them and keep them safe and may God Bless America and our nations symbol of PEACE, the flag. May it fly free forever!

06/13/2026

Caring and sharing the many memorable moments from last nights dedication of the Salute to Military Women monument.

Pictures tell the story of a night that was filled with memories made that will never be forgotten.

Thank you to all the women in the military that attended including a van that carried 5 special ladies who served their nation that came from Gino Merli Veterans Center in Scranton. With the addition of sidewalks it is now more easily accessible for all.

Thanks to the Broom Streeet Band and Ava Aston for all the musical selections. To the two pastors, Butch Gilpin for the welcome along with the Rev. Alice Ringus who served in both the Air Force and Army. To Lisa Baker who was the keynote speaker. To the Scouts from Milford, the colorguards that came together to post the colors.

06/11/2026

Tomorrow, Friday, June 12th, Women's Veteran's Day, at 6PM Veterans Memorial Park and Education Center will be ready to greet YOU, especially any women that served our nation in the military, past or present.

The program has been printed, the musical selections chosen and will be provided by Ava Aston who will be performing our National Anthem and God Bless America and military selections by the Broome Street Band. Pennsylvania State Senator will be the Keynote speaker.

There has been a booklet with 39 local area women highlighted in it that will tell there stories and be handed out to those in attendance. This was a very special project and thanks goes out to those that worked so hard to make that happen.

There will be a Memorial Wreath laid at the monument and the service will end with Taps resounding in the mountains surrounding the park. I know those echoing notes will be floating up to heaven so those women will know "they were not forgotten". To those women in attendance, thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Planning a dedication takes over a year of planning, starting with designing and getting the monument made, then getting it place in the park ready, and finally moving the monument to its permanent home in the park. Planing the program, and getting the help needed to make this event possible is another big step. Thanks goes out to the Matamoras Fire Department (Station 32) for providing 150 chairs and most of all for their posting of a huge American Flag (June 14th is Flag Day) that reaches to the heavens above and makes a huge statement for all to see. Thanks also to DeVore-Quinn Post 486 for their colorgurard and also the Milford Boy Scout Troop. Thanks most of all to the volunteers and committee for their dedication to making this park a place where all are welcome.

On a separate note, thanks to Ami Griener (who with a little encouragement and help? from me) will once again have a tree with around 24 women honored on it. It will have women from all "branches" of service represented on it. Please stop and visit the tree and turn over to the back of the photo for name and information. This project was undertaking as a separate way to honor our women military and was not done as part of the program. The pictures will be left on the tree till July 4th. It is our way to say THAN YOU to some of those that did not get into the
booklet.

Hoping to see many of you there to honor and pay tribute to women.