''We Will Never Forget'' Chadds Ford, PA | Oldest 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.

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 harm’s 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.

Kique,
> The Monument, originally dedicated in 1966 was all bit forgotten for years
> until 2012 when it was "discovered beneath brush in an old bank parking
> lot
> in Chadds Ford, Pa."
> See
> http://www.historynet.com/newly-discovered-vietnam-monument-baffles-pennsylvania-community.htm
> http://www.patrickjhughes.org/galleries/4_memorials/71_CFVM/
> It's considered to be very likely the oldest Vietnam Veterans monument in
> the US.
>
> Gerald Alan Ney
> kumquatquince@gmail.com

 

Newly Discovered Vietnam Monument Baffles Pennsylvania Community

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11/29/2012 • ARTS AND CULTURE, VIETNAM EXTRA, VIETNAM WAR

The mystery monument features the Wendell Willkie quote, "For if we want to fight for freedom, we must be prepared to extend it to everyone whether they agree with us or not...." (Photo: Rich Schwartzman)

A monument dedicated on Nov. 11, 1966, “to the men of Delaware County for their valiant service in Vietnam” was recently discovered beneath brush in an old bank parking lot in Chadds Ford, Pa., an area better known for memorializing the service of soldiers in another war: the 1777 Battle of Brandywine— which might help explain why it has a Revolutionary War–era cannon mounted on top of it.

The discovery of the stone memorial has sparked a great deal of interest. “Chadds Ford’s mystery monument may be the first memorial in the U.S. dedicated to Vietnam veterans,” said Rich Schwartzman of ChaddsFordLive.com. “But so far, no one has been found with any recollection of its dedication, and public records have revealed no information.” The monument is on private property belonging to a family who also know nothing of its history or existence. According to Schwartzman, the property owner only learned of the monument in August, when reporters contacted him.

The monument sits about 15 to 20 feet off the side of Rt. 202 on land that is slated for new commercial development. “Weeds are growing through the cracks of the old bank parking lot, and the monument itself is in poor condition,” said Schwartzman.

Perhaps most intriguing about the monument is its dedication date in 1966. While the conflict was rapidly intensifying in 1966, it was still relatively early in the war. According to Duery Felton, curator of the National Park Service’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection, the Delaware County memorial is now “in the lead” for being the oldest, “with the memorial in Wentzville, Mo., dedicated in 1967, a close second.”

Local and state representatives have discussed whether the memorial should be moved to a more public location, pending the property owner’s approval. “Two local businesses said they will pay for the move or institute local fundraising,” said Schwartzman.

Some have also expressed interest in keeping the memorial where it is, though it is in need of repair. “This monument could become an historic landmark, possibly being the first ever honoring Vietnam veterans,” said Patrick Hughes, a Vietnam veteran who visited the site in August, according to Schwartzman. “So, please, just keep it where it is.”

20th - 21st Century, American History, Current Events, Historical Conflicts,monuments, Vietnam War