Southern Chester County remembered and honored those who served on Memorial Day.

Kennett Square observed Memorial Day on Monday with small events throughout the Kennett Square area in honor of its departed military heroes. The ceremony at St. Patrick Cemetery featured a tribute to World War II veteran Tillie DiAndrea, who recently died in his mid-90s. Scores of people gathered at the event, which also included a 21-gun salute, a performance of "God Bless America" by former mayor Leon Spencer, a tribute to Tillie DiAndrea by Rev. Jim Mundell, the laying of wreaths, and the playing of “Taps.” Pictured is DiAndrea's widow, Marie, who was presented with a memorial American flag by Vietnam veteran Jim Doneghan.

Also pictured is Chief Master Sergeant Robert M. Stewart, Jr., who helped carry on Oxford’s proud tradition of the Memorial Day Ceremony. For the last two years, due to the pandemic, the ceremony has been a virtual ceremony (and can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/K-DQ9t7-PXs).

Speakers for this year’s Oxford Memorial Day ceremony included Stewart, Oxford mayor Philip Harris, pastor Larry Powell, Caleb McCartney, Alexa McCormick, Kelsey Bennett, LCpl Jeffrey A. Sanders, and TSgt Fallon Masscotte. “Taps” was performed by Michael Miller and Caleb McCartney, and the Honor Guard featured Oxford American Legion Roy W. Gibson Post #535 members Ken Weaver, Robert Stewart. James May, Spencer Andress, Vernon Ringler, John Mosley, John Pulgiese. 

The video was shared directly with Ware Presbyterian Village, Jenners Pond, Quarryville Presbyterian Village Retirement Community, Pocopson Home and the Coatesville V.A. It will be shown on Armstrong Channel 68, social media pages, and will also be housed on the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce website. Jim Coarse of Moonloop Photography is the talent behind the video.

The Memorial Day Celebration and Parade Committee members are Harris, Christine Grove of Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce, Corporal Scott Brown of the Oxford Police Department, Dr. Erin Kaupilla of Oxford Area High School, Jim Coarse of Moonloop Photography, LCpl Jeffrey A. Sanders of Keller Williams Real Estate, and many more local business owners and veterans.