Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Dedicated

On June 9, 2018 there was a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument dedicated at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Upper Makefield.

Along with Gold Star members of the Dembowski and Elwell families, at least 8 Patriot Detachment members were at the dedication—Dick Weaver, John Koutsouros, Mike Clark, Neil Clark, Richie Gresko, Harry Niemann, Joe Hogan and John Heenan.

Patriot Detachment member John Heenan and his wife Bernadette were instrumental in gathering the funding for this monument and are longtime members of the nonprofit Guardians of the National Cemetery and worked with the Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor Foundation to secure federal permission to erect the memorial.

Williams, a World War II veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, has spearheaded the national effort to honor the Gold Star Families. The memorials include different panels that tell a story about “Homeland, Family, Patriot, and Sacrifice” and pay tribute to the Gold Star Families and their lost loved one.

This was the very first Gold Star families Memorial Monument dedicated in a National Veterans Cemetery and it was done with zero government funding.

Shown in the photo with Woody Williams are Patriot Detachment 1230 members Dick Weaver, Neil Clark, John Koutsouros and John Heenan.