VETERANS MEMORIAL PROJECT
Memorials speak to us as though to say, "Don't forget us."
November 11, 2024 - Memorial Dedication
On November 11, 2024 the Dover Area School District Veteran's Memorial was officially dedicated. Thank you all who have attended and support this project. We couldn't have done it without the support of our amazing community.
“Every Day Could Be Veterans Day in Dover”
Dover, PA – The long-awaited dedication of the Dover Area High School Veterans Memorial will occur on Monday, November 11, 2024, at 3:30 PM, at 4500 Intermediate Ave., Dover, PA. The ceremony will be held rain or shine.
Bradley 'Brad' Jacobs, Chair of the Dover Veterans Memorial Committee, announced that the capital fundraising campaign has raised over $191,000. Construction of the memorial began in June 2024, but the project has been years in the making.
Jacobs initially proposed the memorial on January 27, 2018, addressing the school administration and board directors with the following vision: “As a former Commissioned Officer in the PA Army National Guard, I believe it is vital for the Dover School District to honor the service and sacrifice of all veterans who served in the Armed Forces of the U.S. With plans for a new high school underway, now is an opportune time to establish a veterans memorial.”
Following the proposal’s approval, a memorial committee was formed to advance the design and fundraising efforts. The Dover Eagle Foundation (501(c)(3)) has served as the fiscal sponsor since 2019.
The project faced unexpected challenges due to the global pandemic, which halted fundraising activities for nearly two years. “Many projects struggled in the wake of the pandemic,” Jacobs reflected. “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved, thanks to the unwavering support from our community, local businesses, foundations, and veteran organizations. We are still accepting sponsorships for memorial pavers; interested individuals can visit www.dovereaglefoundation.com for more information.”
The dedication ceremony will feature keynote speaker retired Brigadier General Robin L. Mealer, a member of the Dover Area High School Class of 1976, performances by the Dover High School Choir, directed by Ms. Samantha Roberts, and the DAHS Band, under the direction of Mr. Matthew Guadagnino.
Join us as we honor our veterans and veteran organizations and celebrate this significant addition to our community.
NOTE: This positive story opportunity connects locals, businesses, veterans, and schools. Parking will be available in all of the
parking lots. The dedication ceremony will occur in front of the High School on the far-right side near the athletic fields. Visitors may want to bring chairs for the ceremony. In the event of rain, the dedication ceremony will be held in the HS Auditorium by entering through the main doors to the High School. Attached are images from the marble installation today.
MEDIA CONTACT: Bradley 'Brad' Jacobs: bcj402@verizon.net (preferred).
You may also contact Brad Perkins, Dover Area School District, 717-292-3671 ext. 80116 or bperkins@doversd.org (preferred)
Latest Press Information:
Ground Breaking Ceremony
Enjoy some of the pictures from our official ground breaking that occurred on May 20, 2024. The Memorial will be finished and dedicated on Veteran's Day 2024.
About The Project
To demonstrate the Dover Area School District's deep appreciation for the brave men and women who serve to protect our country and citizens, a Veterans' Memorial Committee and the Dover Area School District plan to erect a memorial in honor of all Veterans including Dover Alumni and Staff to highlight the remarkable contributions so many have given.
The design of the memorial, as depicted to the left, will be constructed with granite pylons for each of the branches of the United States Armed Services. The front of each pylon will state the name of the branch, have a bronze seal of the branch and their motto will be etched below. The back of the pylons will be etched so that when viewed the viewer will see the American flag. The one side wall will contain an inspirational quote and the dark pylon in the front will contain contractors' names along with other major contributors to the memorial.
In addition to accepting financial donations, material donations, and volunteer commitments, we will offer the opportunity to purchase inscribed brick pavers of dedications "In Memory of..." or "in Honor of..." at the site. Brick pavers will recognize all Veterans who have served their country. All donors will be recognized on the district's website, in the district newsletter, and in dedication program materials. There will be a public dedication ceremony on the site when the construction has been completed.
The planned Veterans Memorial, while serving its primary purpose as an enduring tribute to the many brave men and women who served in the Armed Forces, will also serve as a resource to District teachers in various subject matters. First and foremost, the memorial will serve as an important asset in both history and civics education.
As Rebecca Winthrop of the Brookings Institution noted in 2020, "American's participation in civic life is essential to sustaining our democratic form of government. Without it, a government of the people, by the people, and for the people will not last".[1] However, today's understanding of basic civic knowledge is lacking. According to the Brookings report, "1 in 4… are unable to name the three branches of government".[2] Additionally, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, less than eight percent (8%) of Americans are veterans.[3] Simply put, there is a dire need for students to better understand civic engagement and the importance of public service.
The Murphy Dittenhafer Architects designed memorial will allow teachers to add personal names and stories to the historical significance of America's conflicts by incorporating local veterans into their education plans. Teachers will be able to take students to the memorial and instruct them about the various branches of the Military and the role that those branches played in the history of America. It is intended that the Memorial will enhance interest in genuine civic engagement and public service - both so desperately needed today. In short, we believe this Memorial will serve various roles in the Dover Community.
[1] Winthrop, Rebecca, The Need for Civic Education in 21st-Century Schools - Executive Summary, June 4, 2020; available at https://www.brookings.edu/policy2020/bigideas/the-need-for-civic-education-in-21st-century-schools/
[2] Id.
[3] National Conference of State Legislatures, Veterans by the Numbers, November 10, 2017; available at https://www.ncsl.org/blog/2017/11/10/veterans-by-the-numbers.aspx.
Current Funding Amount
$191,849.56
Veteran's Memorial In The Press
Thank You To WALMART For Their Generosity
Walmart has contributed a very generous amount of $1,000 towards our project. As with any and all donations, we are immensely grateful. If your business would like to be involved and would like to contribute, please reach out.
Huge Thank You To Our FIRST Supporters
Hawks Gunning Club and Shiloh American Legion Post 791 generously become the Veteran's Memorial first supporters. We are beyond appreciative of their support with this great community project.
How To Support
We would be grateful for any and all support you're able to give both financially and in other resources. If you would like to learn more about how to support this project and be more involved in the Veterans Memorial Project, please reach out to Brad Jacobs at bcj402@Verizon.net. If you would like to download and view our current Contribution Brochure, please click the button below.
Brick Paver Fundraiser
One of the great ways to support this project is by purchasing a brick paver that will be used in the construction of this project. We have two different size options to choose from.
4” X 8” paver - $ 100 each
up to 3 total lines of inscription,
16 characters per line *
To purchase a paver, please download the donation brochure by click the button below, filling out the "Paver Request" section, and mail the completed form to:
Dover Area School District
Attn: Veterans’ Memorial
101 Edgeway Road