Chester County, PA - Hall of Heroes

The idea for the Hall of Heroes began in 1997. Tony Polito, a member of the West Chester Men's Service Club, attended the Veteran's Day ceremony at the Chester County Courthouse. He noticed that although there was a memorial plaque with the names of those who gave their lives in World War I, there was none honoring those from World War II, Korea, or Vietnam. He discussed the idea with veterans. He then presented the idea to the West Chester Men's Service Club, which voted to undertake the project.

Tony contacted Rodney Loper, Director of Veterans Affairs in Chester County, for help. Together they met with then County Commissioner Chairman Karen L. Martynick, who expressed her support for the project.

Then the process of gathering the names began. WCMSC member Larry Lark undertook that portion of the project. He conducted Internet searches, but the most gainful finds were through the help of Congressman Joe Pitts. Radio Station WCOJ and the county newspaper the Daily Local News, supported the effort by advertising the project and the list of names. A list was complied of nearly 500 names, considerably more then expected. Research continued until the list composed of 585 names, the number of heroes on the plaque

The Dellavecchia, Reilly & Smith Funeral Home recommended Keystone Memorials in Reading to create the plaque. Prices and design were discussed and finalized.

Michael Schneider of the design firm Creative Graphics donated the name "Hall of Heroes" and the logo design and graphics for fundraising. Photo: Hall of Heroes Memorial

The County Commissioners, Martynick, Colin Hanna and Andrew Dinniman voted to support the project in July 1998, and the fund raising began. Representative Elinor Taylor obtained a grant from the Commonwealth of PA, Department of Community and Economic Development. A number of organizations, local businesses, and individuals also contributed. The total cost of the plaque was about $50,000.

An emotional and poignant dedication ceremony for the Chester County Hall of Heroes, chaired by Col. Howard Busch and Chester Whiting, was held at the Courthouse on Veteran's Day, November 7th, 1999. A number of dignitaries participated, and many Chester Countians attended, including a number of the Heroes’ families. The Honorable Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Ronald D. Castille and the Honorable U.S. Congressman Joseph R. Pitts were keynote speakers. Three speakers were chosen to represent the families of our fallen heroes in each of the wars. Mrs. Dorothy Detwiler, Gold Star Mother of Lawrence R. Detwiler a casualty of Vietnam, Mrs. Elizabeth Ring, sister of John Strickland, a casualty of the Koran War, and Mrs. Mary Horshock, a Gold Star Mother of John Horshock, a casualty of World War II.

In June 2000, the WCMSC formed the Hall of Heroes Education Committee, which included club members, County Commissioner Andy Dinniman and several county educators and historians. Their goal was to connect the students of the county to the Hall of Heroes. In the following months many ideas were explored and the conclusion was to create a website which could be used for researching and writing stories about these Heroes who sacrificed their lives to preserve our freedom.

The Chester County Hall of Heroes became a part of the Chester County Government web site in July 2001. County Webmaster, Dave Williams spent nearly 70 hours developing this outstanding resource. WCMSC member Don Wambold then began researching and writing the stories that are now posted as examples. Currently there are more than 20 stories about our Heroes that have been completed.

On November 7, 2002, the Club introduced the Hall of Heroes Project to the County High Schools. Sociology Teachers from each High School in the County as well as and veterans, were invited to a dinner presentation at the West Chester County Club. After a luscious steak dinner, County Commissioner Andy Dinniman and West Chester Mayor Dick Yoder addressed the guests. Webmaster Dave Williams, and Club Member Don Wambold conducted a multimedia presentation of the Hall of Heroes Website. Several of the Heroes stories were highlighted, and heroes’ relatives in attendance were introduced.

Information packets were distributed to Teachers who attended. The folders included a sample Heroes Story, Suggested Research procedures and guidelines, List of Heroes in their school district, and Committee contact information.

In 2003, twenty-two students from Avon Grove High School under the leadership of teacher Eric Schott researched sixteen heroes from their area. The stories were posted crediting the students

In the Spring 2005, the project reached a milestone: completion of One Hundred stories of our heroes, after hundreds of hours or research.

In April 2007 the memorial research reached another milestone - 209 stories completed as well as corrections and additional information found and added to previously posted stories. This means one third of our heroes now have stories and photos linked to their names. To date, the stories total over 100,000 words, the size of a small book!

Men's Service Club

The West Chester men's Service Club began in 1994 with 24 charter members. The Club is dedicated to God, Country, and Service to the West Chester Community. The Club includes several dedicated social events each year, but the emphasis is on community service.

Their largest projects to date involve the preservation of the historic Oaklands Cemetery, the B-25 Memorial (honoring the 7 men who died in the plane crash there in 1944), the Hall of Heroes Monument, and coordinating research posted on the County sponsored Hall of Heroes Web site.