Released: May 15, 2023
Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer was honored to join Veterans, Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association President (DCVMA) Joseph Daly, DCVMA Vice President Dennis Murphy, DCVMA founder Claude de Botton and his daughter and board member, Nicole de Botton Robinson, local elected officials, friends, families, and dignitaries at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association’s 10th Anniversary Time Capsule Burial event on Saturday, May 13, at the Veteran’s Memorial site in Newtown Square.
A variety of objects and documents from Delaware County municipalities and local Veterans organizations were placed in a 3 ½ x 2-foot time capsule that will be left buried and unopened for 50 years. Donated items included news articles, patches, challenge coins, photographs, drone footage of the Memorial grounds as it stands today, township histories, and other unique and special items.
“The collection and assembly of these items is our gift to the future generation, and we hope that anyone here today, who will still be here in 50 years on or around May 13, 2073, will attend the opening ceremony, said DCVMA Board President Joseph J. Daly.
“This time capsule will help ensure that 50 years from now, our Veterans and our community appreciate our local heroes—our Veterans—and better understand what our world was like,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer, who participated in the ceremony. “I’m sure the items placed in the capsule will provide insight and fascination for those who will think of 2023 as the olden days.”
In addition to the items included in the capsule, the initial letter written to Claude de Botton from the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Committee requesting land on West Chester Pike and the construction plans for the Memorial were included.
“Today, we pay homage to the sacrifice of the youth, and men and women of this great land - with love of country, physical strength and lack of fear, they sacrificed their best years so that all citizens can live their lives in peace, freedom of religion and the pursuit of happiness,” said DCVMA board member, Nicole de Botton Robinson.
Delaware County Council thanks the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association and the de Botton family for making the day possible and for their ongoing commitment to the County’s Veterans, and thanks all of the Delaware County Veterans for their service and their sacrifice.
About the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association
The Delaware County Veterans Memorial, located at 4599 West Chester Pike in Newtown Square, is open daily, year-round and is free to the public. Visitors are welcomed to learn, honor and reflect on the American Wars and Conflicts, from the War of 1812 to the Wars of the Middle East.
The Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association first was proposed in 2013 as a way to recognize and pay tribute to fallen armed forces members from Delaware County. Through the concentrated efforts of the late Steve Neri, United States Marine Corps Veteran; the late Stan Short, United States Marine Corps Veteran; and the late Linda Houldin, former director of the Delaware County Historical Society in Newtown Square, plans were put forward.
Thanks to the generous support of the land donor and major benefactor, Claude de Botton and family, a plot of land donated to the cause became the home of the region’s newest monument to military service. The dream became a reality on May 11, 2013, when the monument was dedicated in a solemn ceremony.