After a year of structural renovations, the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial is set to reopen to the public on Monday, Oct. 2.
Located at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, the memorial closed its doors on Oct. 7, 2022, for crucial repairs due to damage from long-term exposure to the elements.
The nationally recognized memorial, dedicated in 2001, stands as the largest veterans’ memorial situated in a national cemetery in the United States. More than 6,000 people attended the dedication, including former Gov. Tom Ridge, then director of Homeland Security, and then Gov. Mark Schweiker.
The extensive repair work included the re-anchoring of plaques, resetting existing pre-cast concrete, waterproofing walls, and upgrading the drainage system. New flagpoles and lighting have also been installed to honor all services and traditions.
“We are thrilled to re-open it to the public in time for Veterans Day,” said Major Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. He encouraged everyone to visit this iconic structure to remember those who are part of our history and those presently serving.
Donations to aid in the continuous upkeep of the memorial, covering landscaping, lighting, and maintenance of structural and cosmetic components, can be made to the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial Trust Fund. The contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be made online or sent by mail.
The Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial was designed to evoke the ruins of a war-torn building in a land of solemnity, according to the story behind its architecture. Several annual events are hosted there, including Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies, both held on the Sunday before the holiday at 2 p.m., as well as an annual candlelight service on the third Saturday of December at 4:30 p.m.
Read More: Wreaths laid in Memorial Day ceremony at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery
For more information, visit the DMVA’s website.
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