Upper Moreland Veterans Freedom Memorial in the Home Stretch

The incoming Veterans Freedom Memorial at Veterans Memorial Park, which will feature an actual de-militarized UH-1D Vietnam-era helicopter, received a big boost toward completion with a recent $2,500 donation from Susquehanna Bank.

According to Ralph Storti, chairman of the Veterans Memorial Committee, the donation will enable the committee’s organizing body, the nonprofit Willow Grove Community Services, to purchase the five remaining flag poles of the memorial.

Each pole will fly the flags of the respective United States military services: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard; and will be arranged around the incoming helicopter.

Storti said that Susquehanna Bank’s $2,500 donation was the most recent from a list of local corporate and local sponsors, who have supported the memorial project since its conception in 2004.

The memorial hit a milestone in its progress with a well-attended special flag-raising ceremony on Memorial Day 2011, when the committee revealed the first three flags of the memorial, which included the flags of the United States, Pennsylvania and the P.O.W. and M.I.A flag.

The location the three flags within Veterans Memorial Park were also the intended spot for the full memorial. However, Storti said that the memorial had to be moved to within the vicinity of the flags, due to potential flooding concerns. Indecently, he said this move will result in a more visible memorial, as well as the three main flags themselves. 

Storti said that the cement foundations for each incoming flag pole have already been placed. In addition, the helicopter itself has already been deeded to the committee, and in need of retrieval. 

The UH-1D helicopter is currently housed in a museum, located at the Niagra Falls International Airport in New York.

According to Storti, the helicopter, which is approximately 14-feet-5-inches in height, will be able to be picked up from the airport toward the end of June, however, a special, low-lying trailer would be required for the haul.

Storti said that he is currently seeking such trailer services, particularly companies that may provide pro-bono work for a nonprofit organization.

He added that the helicopter honors each of the military branches, as each branch uses the military vehicle for its service. The helicopter will be placed on a curved pedestal to simulate it either landing or taking off.

“I think it’s a fitting tribute to all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, past, present and future; it will be a reminder of those who served our country honorably,” Storti said. “It will be there forever.”

Storti said that he hopes the memorial will have an official dedication by Veterans Day 2013.

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For more information, contact Ralph Storti at 215-657-0837.

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Read more on the origins of the Veterans Memorial Park Helicopter Memorial by clicking here.