UPDATE: CONSTRUCTION HAS BEGUN!
We are thrilled to announce that construction has commenced on the Veterans Memorial in Chocolate Town Park. Residents will notice a “Sidewalk Closed Ahead” sign at the southeast corner of the West Chocolate Avenue and Linden Street intersection. This sign is a precaution to inform pedestrians about the sidewalk closure around Chocolate Town Park. Our aim is to deter pedestrians from crossing West Chocolate Avenue at the closure point, ensuring everyone’s safety. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period. Keep checking back for updates and photos of the Veterans Memorial’s progress as we will be regularly sharing images.
Below click on the link to view the Pedestrian Detour Map.
VETERANS MEMORIAL
We are proud of our ongoing commitment to honor the courageous Veterans of our community whose sacrifices have safeguarded our freedoms. We extend a heartfelt invitation to our entire community to stand with us in paying tribute to these remarkable individuals, whose bravery and service inspires us.
This memorial continues our community’s rich heritage of honoring persons from Derry Township who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The original Court of Honor was dedicated on November 7, 1943, at the Hershey Community Center across Cocoa Avenue from this site. On September 20, 1947, two bronze plaques bearing the names of 1,238 Derry Township “Defenders of America” were dedicated to replacing the original frames, which contained 864 names. On Memorial Day,1982, the bronze plaques were rededicated and supplemented at the Cocoa Avenue Plaza. The new Veterans Memorial at the southwest corner of Chocolate Avenue and Cocoa Avenue(s) will include illuminated Gold Stars acknowledging the brave sons and daughters of Derry Township families and the brave children from the Milton Hershey School family who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our Country. It will also feature flags from all the U.S. Armed Forces.
This project is slated to be out for bid on May 9th. We anticipate awarding a contract to the winning bidder on June 11th and intend to have the project substantially completed for Veterans Day 2024.
Recently, on Monday, May 17, 2024, during Memorial Day, we held a groundbreaking ceremony at Chocolate Town Park for the Veterans Memorial. This event took place after the observance ceremony, which was dedicated to honoring and remembering those who bravely sacrificed their lives for our community.
The following are pictured, from left to right. Ryan Cummings (HRG), Josh Williams (Hershey American Legion), Brian Bechtel (Hershey VFW Post 3502), Dwight Kuhn, Chaplain (Hershey VFW Post 3502), Timothy Roche, Commander (Hershey American Legion), E. Christopher Abruzzo, Chairman (Derry Township Board of Supervisor), Natalie Nutt, Vice-Chairman (Derry Township Board of Supervisor), Richard Zmuda (Derry Township Board of Supervisor), Michael Corado (Derry Township Board of Supervisor), Christopher Christman (Derry Township Manager).
Renderings of the proposed Veterans Memorial are available here.
Overview of Veterans Memorial at Chocolate Town Square Park.
Overview of the entrance of the Veterans Memorial at Chocolate Town Square Park.
Overview of the Gold Stars Veterans Memorial honoring our brave soldiers of Derry Township and Milton Hershey, as well as the original Veteran plaques.
Overview of the outdoor concert stage.
If you wish to make a donation to support the Veterans Memorial initiative, you may contact Derry Township at 717-533-2057 or email Rebecca Sweigart at rlsweiga@derrytownship.org.
