Bucks to unveil memorial to honor military members

BUCKS COUNTY

Memorial to honor military dead in foreign wars

DOYLESTOWN A new memorial honoring Bucks County military members who died in this century's foreign wars will be unveiled at a public ceremony next month, according to organizers.

The Bucks County Global War on Terrorism Memorial, which will stand in the courtyard in front of the county courthouse, will honor 21 county residents who have died in the wars since 2001, according to Ed Lopez of Doylestown Post 175, Veterans of Foreign Wars.

First conceived as an idea around 2008, Lopez said, the structure - which will contain a piece of runway from the Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan - will be unveiled to the public on May 16 at 2 p.m., with local politicians set to attend as well as dozens of community members.

Lopez says funding for the memorial has been supported by a predominantly grassroots fund-raising campaign, and that the aim of the dedication ceremony is to be similarly inclusive of the community. - Chris Palmer