HISTORY
In August of 2005, Prospect Hill Cemetery in York, Pennsylvania began a solemn Flag Memorial to honor US soldiers lost in Iraq. Except for the winter months, this memorial has been on display continuously and has grown and expanded many times over the following seven years. In 2010, the memorial was at its largest size with three areas of flags: over 4,000 US flags to mark our losses in Iraq, over a thousand US flags in another display to honor losses in Afghanistan and finally hundreds of Pennsylvania flags to note the losses suffered by that state in both theaters of war. In addition, 20 large banners bordered the display showing the pictures of local Fallen Heroes who had been lost in the Global War on Terror. Since its inception in 2005, the Flag Memorial has been updated over 25 times. At each updating ceremony, the names of the newly fallen are read while a soldier places a new flag in the display, steps back and solemnly salutes while a bell is tolled.
In the fall of 2010, the government announced the end of the combat phase of the Iraq War. The decision was made to retire the more than 4,400 flags that comprised the memorial directly on the hillside where they had flown for over 5 years. On Pearl Harbor Day in December of 2010 at dusk, local veterans and Gold Star family members conducted a retirement ceremony. Over 4,400 flags were placed in a funeral pyre on the site so that they would never leave the hillside they had graced while honoring America’s Fallen Heroes. A pledge was made at that time that a memorial would be erected to both mark the site and also remember those who had died.
A PROMISE KEPT
On Saturday, November 10 at 11 AM, Prospect Hill Cemetery unveiled the new Fallen Heroes Memorial.
The stunning memorial is constructed of black granite with carvings of service emblems and the inscription of a quote by John Maxwell Edmond, “When you go home, Tell them of us and say, For their Tomorrow, We gave today.” The truly unique feature of the monument is a large 42″ hi-brite digital monitor that allows visitors to view the faces of the Fallen Heroes. It is our hope that Gold Star families from across America will send us 5 or 6 digital images that can displayed to honor their lost loved one. In addition to randomly displaying soldier’s pictures and memorial information, the touch screen monitor allows visitors to search the database of over 6,600 service people lost in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Allowing visitors to view a few cherished images of a Fallen Hero will begin to help them capture a sense of the tremendous sacrifice a Gold Star family has made and it becomes a unique and effective way to honor and remember.
HOW TO SUBMIT PHOTOS
Send your photos to be displayed on the monument to fallenheroes@prospecthill.org. Digital space limitations require that we ask you to limit the number to 5 or 6 photos. With each photo please send a brief description or caption explaining the photo. (Captions can not be displayed unless they are embedded into the digital image) Along with your photos, please provide the following information:
- Fallen Hero’s complete name
- Your name and relationship to the Fallen Hero
- Your contact information (address, phone, etc.)
- Statement of permission to use the photo(s)
Photos should be of good quality and of sufficient DPI (dots per inch) to display properly on the large screen.
Submission of photos does not guarantee their use. The Fallen Heroes Monument reserves the sole right to select those images they deem appropriate for public display on the monument based on image quality and content.
This is a volunteer effort to honor these Fallen Heroes. As best we can, we will assist Gold Star families in selecting images that best represent the cherished memories of their Fallen Hero. There is no charge to families for creating or displaying these special pictures.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Our goal is simple: allow Gold Star families to share favorite images that convey the unique personality and life of their loved one to all who view the Fallen Heroes Memorial.
The Fallen Hero Memorial was developed through generous partnerships with: Livewire Digital (software development and technical support); Gamlet, Inc. (hardware installation); and Military & Commercial Fasteners Corp. (underwriting of digital monitor cost). The project enjoyed significant support from many local American Legion and VFW posts, area businesses, and individuals in the community. Cold Spring Granite of Minnesota supplied the black granite used in the new memorial. All donations and support for this project are appreciated!
Please help us spread the word and share this unique memorial with other Gold Star Families. To submit Fallen Hero photos, make a donation or receive information, please send emails to Fallenheroes@prospecthill.org or call (717)843-8006.
Click or copy and paste the link to view the Fallen Heroes Video– http://youtu.be/w83DmB1D52Q