Veterans Monument Concept Plans Presented to Whitemarsh BOS

Montgomery County Sheriff and former Whitemarsh Township Police Chief Eileen Behr and resident Joseph McGrath presented the Whitemarsh Towship Board of Supervisors with a concept design for a proposed veterans monument at the corner of Germantown Pike and Joshua Road in Lafayette Hill.

“The concept is basically at the center of town, to erect a monument there on the corner,” said Behr at the board's Thursday night meeting. “A simple granite or stone type patio with flags, one for each branch of the military, that would be lit up at all times.”

Behr also updated the board on the committee that was created for the project, which is has achieved non-profit status and is being led by supervisor Sara Erlbaum.

Whitemarsh resident and committee member Joseph McGrath addressed the board on his feeling that this monument will recognize everyone who has sacrificed for our country – including someone like his mother, who had a father, husband and son who served, and who lost a nephew in Vietnam.

“I was thinking about how much she gave when she said goodbye to me,” McGrath said.  “A veteran’s monument honors our society as a whole, because we all sacrifice,”

Behr said the veterans on the board were emphatic that the structure was meant to be a monument, not a memorial.

“A monument is for those who are also survivors, and their families,” Said Behr.

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The next step, according to Behr, is to continue receiving input from residents and then to start raising money for the project.

“We’re here to tell you that we’re going to continue forward, reaching out to form some bigger committees, invite more of the township in, to look further at the plans,” Behr said.

Several supervisors lauded the committee for the plans, which also included the work of Whitemarsh Police Lieutenant Fran Wheatley, and assured the representatives that the township will be supportive going forward.

“It’s really going to be a spectacular addition to the center of town,” said board chairman Robert Hart.

Supervisor Melissa Sterling echoed Hart’s statement.

“I’m really proud that all of you have stepped up and taken the lead on this. It is going to be a wonderful addition to our community,” Sterling said.

Supervisor Catherine Peduzzi brought up the walkability of the area of Joshua Road and Germantown Pike, and said that it will be more walkable for residents to visit the monument as a result of a streetscape project in the area.

After the meeting, Erlbaum said that there is still a lot of work to be done on the project, including the design plans and fundraising.