Susan Mangigian, Chester County Life

I had the pleasure of participating in the dedication of the Veterans Memorial Pavilion in my hometown, East Goshen.  The Veterans Memorial Pavilion honors all veterans past, present and future that have served our country to protect the freedom that we have enjoyed all of our lives. 

East Goshen Township Park is located on Paoli Pike, just east of Route 352. 

Sons of the American Revolution, Posting of the Colors

The Master of Ceremonies, Senya D. Isayeff, a retired Army officer was very interesting, very funny and quite entertaining. 

Amerikids entertained the crowd with lovely renditions of the Star Spangled Banner, God Bless America and My America.

There were several speakers present.  Ann Marie Fletcher-Moore, Chairperson, East Goshen Township Park and Recreation Board.  E. Martin Shane, Chairman, East Goshen Board of Supervisors, Gary R. Green, CEO, YMCA of the Brandywine Valley and Kathy Sullivan, Executive Director of YMCA of West Chester.

As a member of the Chester County Women's Commission, I was pleased to see two of our Chester County Commissioners in attendance.  Carole Aichele, Chairman gave a lovely speech detailing her life growing up in and marrying into a Navy family.  Commission Kathi Cozzone presented the township with a citation honoring them in the building of the Veterans Pavilion.

One of my favorite public servants, State Representative Barbara McIlvaine Smith (156th District) gave a lovely speech about the service her family provided, including her grandfather, an American Indian who enlisted to fight in World War II when he was 50 years old.  Rep. McIlvaine Smith is a very gracious and intelligent woman and it is always a pleasure to see her and hear her speak. 

State Senator Andrew Dinniman brought the house down when he admitted that his contribution to the proceedings was the new comfort station adjacent to the Veterans Memorial.  He went on to say that the township supervisors (in a mostly republican township) had made the generous offer of naming the comfort station (aka, the restroom), after our illustrious and Democrat Senator but he politely declined.  I, of course, made a point of thanking him personally for the restroom as I will use it regularly when I walk in the park!   Senator Dinniman then went on to speak passionately about the PA National Guard being the largest contingent of national guardsman ever to be deployed.  Most are currently in training, but all will be sent over to Afghanistan and Iraq probably by the end of the year.  Senator Dinniman is working with the Downingtown VFW to make sure that the families of these National Guardsman and woman have the support they need to keep the home fires burning while their spouses fight for the freedoms we enjoy here. 

Congressman Joseph Sestak (far left above), a Delaware County, PA native served in the navy, rising to the rank of a 3 star admiral.  Congressman Sestak also served in President Clinton's White House as the Director for Defense Policy on the National Security Council. After 9/11, he was selected to serve as the first Director of "Deep Blue," the Navy's anti-terrorism unit where he worked to establish new strategies for the Navy to fight the Global War on Terror.  Congressman Sestak gave a very moving speech, commenting on the fact that the military bases performance and talent as reasons to move men and women up the ladder of advancement.  Not who you know, who your people are, etc.  Just hard work and talent.   If you work hard and improve yourself, you will rise through the ranks.  For having had such a distinguished career, Congressman Sestak is very modest and soft spoken. 

I was very proud and moved to have witnessed this dedication.  Father Joe Glatts, USAF, retired, lead the crowd in prayer, after the laying of the wreath.  Brian Kearns sounded "TAPS".  It was a wonderful experience and one I am glad that I did not miss.