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John & Bernadette Heenan presented a proclamation from Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) to Director Gregory J. Whitney.
by Phillip Gaffney This proclamation recognized the hard work that brought to fruition the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at Washington Crossing National Cemetery—the first at a National Veterans Cemetery.

Guardians
Jan 21, 20221 min read


Points of Interest regarding the Washington Crossing National Cemetery
by Phillip Gaffney

Guardians
Jan 21, 20221 min read


History of the Washington Crossing National Cemetery Gold Star Families Memorial Monument
by fduser The original Gold Star Families Memorial Monument was designed by Medal of Honor recipient Marine Woody Williams and dedicated in his home state of West Virginia in 2013. His foundation oversees the construction and installation of the Gold Star Families Memorials, with coordination from local board members. The monument at Washington Crossing National Cemetery was dedicated in June 2018. It is the very first such Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in a National V

Guardians
Jan 21, 20222 min read
Honoring our Vets
by Phillip Gaffney On November 11th, 2021 a tribute was performed at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Honor of Veterans day. Some may ask, Why Veterans Day? This Allows us to honor those who served our country, honoring those that sacrificed themselves for others and offering gratitude to those now serving. For those that don’t understand why our country’s men and women place themselves at risk, It’s not out of hate for those that stand in front of them but for t

Guardians
Nov 22, 20211 min read


The Dedication to the “Never Forget Garden”
On October 30th, 2021 Washington Crossing National Cemetery was the site of the new “Never Forget Garden” to honor those that served and paid the ultimate sacrifice and may not have been known to anyone other than God. The Guardians of the Washington Crossing National Cemetery was part of this dedication along with two members of the exclusive Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Honor Guard and in addition they were joined by guest speakers that enhanced the celebration of this gar

Guardians
Oct 31, 20211 min read


Unattended Service
On October 28th 2021 at 2:00 PM Honors will be bestowed on veterans which have no family members in attendance. The interment will be in Columbarium B of unclaimed Veterans from Chester County We request Honor Guard assistance with placing remains. Any members of any American Legion or VFW Post would be welcome to attend this service for one of our own. Muster at the administration building at 1:30 PM to participate. Washington Crossing National Cemetery is located at 830 H

Guardians
Oct 12, 20211 min read


Never Forget Garden
On October 30th there will be the formal dedication to the “Never Forget Garden” The area for the Garden will be immediately behind Memorial Wall, across from the Stop sign at Gen Washington Blvd. Washington Crossing National Cemetery is located at 830 Highland Rd., Newtown, PA, 18940.

Guardians
Oct 12, 20211 min read


Gold Star Families
The Guardians of the National cemetery in conjunction with the Gold Star Mothers of America will host the public in a remembrance of all Gold Star Families on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 5:00 PM at Washington Crossing National Cemetery. We will meet at the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument which is adjacent to the Administration Building. Washington Crossing National Cemetery is located at 830 Highland Rd., Newtown, PA, 18940.

Guardians
Sep 16, 20211 min read


Veterans Day 2021
Veterans Day will be remembered at Washington Crossing National Cemetery by the Guardians of the National Cemetery with a brief respectful program on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 11:00 AM. There will be no off-site parking, tents or chairs available.

Guardians
Sep 15, 20211 min read


Public Announcement!
The Guardians of the National Cemetery Foundation has initiated a project with the Department of Veterans Affairs (Dept of VA), the National Cemetery Association (NCA), and Washington Crossing National Cemetery (WCNC), to donate and install a statue of General George Washington within the cemetery. The statue of Gen. Washington, in a kneeling position, will sit upon a base approximately 3’ tall. The statue itself will be approximately 9’ tall from the General’s knee on the gr

Guardians
Dec 16, 20201 min read


A Veteran is…
by Robert Craven Someone who dedicated a portion of their life to serve in the Armed Forces.Someone who raised their right hand and swore to defend the Constitution of the United States.Someone who proudly, and with honor wore the uniform of their dedicated branch. Someone who followed orders to accomplish whatever mission was assigned.Someone who accepted stateside transfers or deployments to foreign lands without question.Someone who was separated from their family and left

Guardians
Nov 13, 20201 min read


Avenue of Flags
by Dennis O'Malley The “Avenue of Flags” at Washington Crossing National Cemetery is truly a majestic sight. It consists of over 145 U.S. flags flown at the top of 20’ removable poles along the roads at designated times of the year. The flags are 4 ½’ x 9’ burial size flags with the poles being approximately 30’ apart. This relatively new policy within the National Cemetery Administration is a change from the tradition of placing U.S. stick flags at each Veterans grave within

Guardians
Oct 26, 20202 min read


Update on Cemetery Expansion
by Robert Craven On Sept, 1 2020, Washington Crossing began an expansion project to add critically needed burial space. The Cemetery will be adding 8 new in-ground cremation sections , a new columbarium, a new road will be added between sections 6 & 7, and an improved maintenance are with 2 new structures. Please be mindful that you may encounter a few delays, and an increase in traffic due to the construction. When you come to the cemetery, you will see lots of fenced off a

Guardians
Oct 6, 20201 min read


We Proudly Conduct Unattended Services for Our Veterans
The Washington Crossing National Cemetery along with the Guardians of the National Cemetery, the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, local chaplains, and the Warrior’s Watch have combined to pay formal last respects to those Veterans interred at Washington Crossing National Cemetery during the month who had no one witness their interment. We refer to this ‘honor’ as our “Unattended Service’. On the last Thursday of each month at 2:00 PM, we have a full military funeral honors

Guardians
Oct 6, 20201 min read


Community celebrates WWII vet from Levittown with drive-by salute
by Dennis O'Malley Decorated combat World War II veteran Sal Castro celebrated his 95th birthday on Sunday with a parade and well wishes from a far. Friends and family gathered to drive by his Levittown home to honor the veteran who has given to his country and fellow veterans. He is a member of the Honor Guard of the Guardians of the National Cemetery that participates in the rendering of military funeral honors at Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Upper Makefield. Th

Guardians
Oct 6, 20201 min read


Avenue of Flags
The “Avenue of Flags” at Washington Crossing National Cemetery is truly a majestic sight. It consists of over 145 U.S. flags flown at the top of 20’ removable poles along the roads at designated times of the year. The flags are 4 ½’ x 9’ burial size flags with the poles being approximately 30’ apart. This relatively new policy within the National Cemetery Administration is a change from the tradition of placing U.S. stick flags at each Veterans grave within a National Cemet

Guardians
Aug 6, 20202 min read


Gold Star Families Memorial Monument
by Robert Craven During World War I, it was common practice for families to display a blue star in the window of their home in support of their family member who was serving in the military. That practice was followed by families placing a gold star over the blue star if their family member died while in service. Thus, coining the term Gold Star Family.The Gold Star Families Memorial Monument program is a product of the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation. “Woody

Guardians
Jul 6, 20203 min read


Year in Review – 2019
by Robert Craven We, the Guardians of the National Cemetery, began our tenth year at Washington Crossing National Cemetery (WCNC) with our annual banquet recognizing the Washington Crossing Honor Guard at Northampton Country Club. During the banquet we unveiled a PowerPoint slide show of photos of the cemetery over the years. Narration of the slide show was actually a copy of the remarks presented at the dedication of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in June 2018. A t

Guardians
Jan 22, 20202 min read


Honoring the Life and Service of Edmund "Ned" J. Cooney (Click Here)
Edmund J. “Ned” Cooney of New Hope passed away on Friday, October 4, 2019 at his residence. He was 88 Ned was the beloved husband of 62 years to the late Elizabeth R. McDonald Cooney. Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Edmund J. and Marie D. Greene Cooney. On May 23, 1953, Ned married his late wife Elizabeth and moved to Trevose where they lived for over 33 years before moving to Buckingham Springs in 1993. Ned was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Co

Guardians
Oct 4, 20192 min read


Honoring the Life and Service of Frederick “Fred” Caldwell, Jr. (Click Here)
Frederick “Fred” Caldwell, Jr. died peacefully on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, at Southampton Estates, Southampton. He was 93. Born in Philadelphia, Fred was the beloved husband of the late Jane Edelman Caldwell and dearest father of the late Fred Caldwell, III, son of the late Fred Sr. and Alice May Caldwell and brother of the late George and Jack Caldwell. Fred was a graduate of Northeast High School and a proud veteran of the United States Navy, having served during World

Guardians
Nov 27, 20182 min read
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