Brothers,
A few years ago we attempted to raise funds through the Hibernian Charity to do an upgrade at the Medal of Honor Grove in Valley Forge. At that time we were quoted a price of between $24,000 and $30,000 by different contractors but unfortunately we only raised about $12,000 to date. After much discussion and soul searching the committee decided to go forward with the project using our contacts in the Trade Unions, volunteers from the local AOH in the Delaware Valley, and anyone else who would help. Myself and Mick Dunleavy who started this project contacted other people and we started the project on June 5th 2017 with all donated equipment and volunteers. To date we have had only 17 volunteers, some for one day and most for numerous days, it is extremely difficulty as most of us are retired in our 60’s and 70’s but we hope more volunteers will join us in the next few weeks and we get the project completed. We are still looking for donations to the Friends of the Medal of Honor Grove and still have a lot of things we want to do at the grove. Please help if possible so The AOH site will be the most impressive site in the entire grove. Here is what the AOH Obelisk looked like on June 5th and some pictures of some of the volunteers and the progress we have made since then.
I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped us so far especially the Operating Engineers Local 542 Tom Dooley, Dennis Sullivan for donating the use of the dozer and backhoe for the entire project, the 3 operators, Tim Teshner and Sean O’Day and Tom Dooley, the masons Billy Decker, Dennis and John Corkery for their work and equipment, Jack McMonigal, Mike McMonigal and Jim Barnhart for pouring the concrete, and the rest of the crew, Tony Nahill , Mike Boyle, Gerry Coleman, Mike Cligett, Ed Costello, Pat Dugan, Seamus Boyle and Mick Dunleavy, all proud Hibernians, who did anything and everything that needed to be done to bring this project where it is today. We need to also thank Division 39 for the use of their tools and equipment and monetary support and from all of you who graciously donated to have this project completed. With your help, volunteers or monetary, we will have this project completed by August.
Thank you,
Seamus Boyle
Past National President
