An artist’s rendering of plans to renovate and expand the war memorial monument on the approach to the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Courtesy of Delaware River & Bay Authority.
The war memorial monument next to the approach to the Delaware Memorial Bridge near New Castle is getting a nearly $5 million update and renovation.
The work will add the names of servicemen and women from New Jersey and Delaware who died serving the United States in all wars and conflicts from World War II to the present.
The massive project also includes:
- Expanding the monument to display nearly 20,000 names on metal plaques. The memorial wall now contains about 15,000 names.
- Reintroducing the circular plaza design.
- Increasing the plaza area and the lawn.
- Removing the reflecting pool to accommodate space for programming.
- Replacing the underlying concrete structure.
- Replacing all existing flagpoles, plus adding one for Space Force.
- Upgrading lighting, drainage and landscaping.
The project is expected to start about June 1 and be finished by Memorial Day of 2025.
Construction will be suspended to allow for the annual Veterans Day service on Nov. 11.
As usual, a Memorial Day Service will take place at the park at 10:30 a.m. May 3o, which is Memorial Day 2024.
During construction, the public will not be able to access portions of the memorial.
The war memorial monument on the approach to the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Courtesy of Delaware River & Bay Authority.
Complete names on memorial
The Delaware River and Bay Authority, which operates the memorial, is seeking the public’s input to ensure that all soldiers from Delaware and New Jersey who perished in conflicts after the Korean War “are properly honored and represented” on the new war memorial wall.
That six-sided Wall of Remembrance with close to 15,000 names of troops from Delaware and New Jersey who lost their lives in World War ll and the Korean War is considering the centerpiece of the park.
All of the names are alphabetically listed by state for each war. Those interested in checking for a loved one can go here to find the name.
The bottom of one webpage of the memorial’s site has a link for omissions, misspellings and other input. The authority is asking that all reviews be received by June 30.
The bridge, which opened in 1951, is “a lasting memorial to those soldiers who gave their lives in World War II, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm,” the authority said.
The monument was dedicated on Oct. 20, 1956, honoring soldiers “who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country in World War II and the Korean War,” the authority said.
In 1996, the memorial grounds were modified from the original circular form to its current octagonal form, with service branch flags and a reflecting pool added as well.
The memorial can be seen on the right, when heading on Interstate 295 north to the bridge into New Jersey. People who want to visit the memorial should use 163 Cherry Lane, New Castle in their GPS.
IN THE NEWS: Hospitals, legislators reach deal on hospital review board bill
IN THE NEWS: Students won $125K, but say real prize is helping community
The 40-acre site now has seven monuments and nine additional military memorials.
They include:
- An eagle statue, dedicated in 1993 to veterans.
- The “one army” soldier monument, dedicated in 1998, to honor Delawareans New Jersey residents killed or declared missing in action in combat since the Korean war.
- The submariner monument, dedicated in 2001 to honor those who lost their lives on American subs.
- The Korean War memorial, dedicated in 2003.
- The Purple Heart monument, dedicated to all Americans wounded in all wars.
- The Gold Star memorial, honoring families that have lost loved ones in military service.
The latest work has been awarded to Wickersham Construction and Engineering Inc. of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
“We are proud to maintain the Veterans Memorial Park as a peaceful spot for remembrance and reflection,” authority director Thomas J. Cook said in a statement. “It is truly humbling to be reminded that nearly 20,000 local heroes paid the ultimate sacrifice in these global conflicts for the freedoms that we enjoy every day.”
some info
Share this Post