Grand Opening For Delco Vets Memorial Announced

NEWTOWN SQUARE–The Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association has announced their grand opening date of May 11 for their memorial honoring past, present, and future Delco veterans.

Dedication ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. According to the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association, the following guest speakers have been scheduled to speak during the ceremonies:

• Governor Tom Ridge–Governor Tom Ridge is well known as one of our nation’s most respected public servants. From his decorated service in Vietnam, to Congress, from the Governor’s Office to serving as our nation’s first Homeland Security Secretary, he is well respected across the nation and overseas. A strong and visionary leader he has gained a deserved reputation as an innovator, not an ideologue.  Tom Ridge became the first Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and, on January 24, 2003, became the first Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He was twice elected Governor of Pennsylvania. He served as the state’s 43rd governor from 1995 to 2001. Known for his commitment to high standards and results, Governor Ridge delivered on his promise to make Pennsylvania "a leader among states and a competitor among nations." Governor Ridge's aggressive technology strategy helped fuel the state's advances in economic development, education, health care and the environment.  Elected to Congress in 1982. He was one of the first Vietnam combatveterans elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and was overwhelmingly re-elected by Pennsylvania voters five times.

• Benjamin Patton–Benjamin Patton is the founder of the Patton Veterans Project and creator of the I WAS THERE filmmaking workshops, designed as a therapeutic and healing tool for veterans coping with Post-Traumatic Stress. The youngest grandson of WWII's General George S. Patton Jr., and son of the late Major General George S. Patton IV. he is the co-author of the recently release family memoir, Growing Up Patton: Reflections on Heroes, History and Family Wisdom (Berkley-Caliber, 2012).  Formerly a producer and development executive at New York City's PBS affiliate, Mr. Patton is a graduate of Georgetown University and completing a Masters in Developmental Psychology at Columbia University - Teachers College. He is a resident of New York City.  For more information, visit pattonveteransproject.org.

• Brigadier General Kevin J. Jacobsen–Brig. Gen. Kevin J. Jacobsen is the Commander, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, which is headquartered at Quantico, Va. This field operating agency is responsible for providing commanders of Air Force activities independent, professional investigative services regarding fraud, counterintelligence and major criminal matters. General Jacobsen grew up in Newtown Square and graduated from Marple Newtown High School.  Heentered the Air Force in 1980 as a graduate of Air Force ROTC program at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. He has spent the majority of his career as a special agent of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations where he has conducted and supervised felony-level criminal, fraud, and counterintelligence investigations and operations. He has commanded at the detachment, squadron and wing levels, and has led combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. General Jacobsen has also served on the Joint Staff and in the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Director, Special Investigations, Office of the Inspector General, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C. He led the directorate in developing and implementing all Air Force level plans and policies concerning criminal investigations and counterintelligence operations.

The Delaware County Veterans Memorial is located off of West Chester Pike/Route 3 and Alice Grim Blvd. in Newtown Square. For more information about the DCVMA, visit their website here.