Delaware County is home to many brave veterans who have served our nation with strength and courage.

Today, we have 35,000 veterans of all military branches living in Delaware County who continue to serve their communities through their work, their church, their schools, and their families.

In 2013, the Delaware County Veterans Memorial in Newtown Square became the newest monument in the county dedicated to veterans.

The Veterans Memorial Association hosts an annual Freedom Medal Awards dinner to pay tribute to the men and women of the armed services, in addition to its educational programs that ensure future generations know about their nation’s military history and sacrifice.

Council is partnering with the Veterans Memorial Association to host the third annual Freedom Medal Awards dinner on Nov. 17 at the Springfield County Club.

The 2016 Freedom Medal Award winners are:

• Army Air Corps veteran Samuel J. Coco, who served in World War II
• Marine Corps veteran David Fortune, who served in Vietnam
• Army veteran Samuel Malandra, who served in Korea
• Air Force veteran June Howard Micozzie, who served in the Korean War era
• Air Force veteran Richard “Dick” Phillips, who served in Korea
• Marine Corps veteran Bob Spano, who served in Vietnam

Community awards are also being presented to Kathleen Breslin and Jeffrey LaMonica (educators from Delaware County Community College), the Wilbur and Betty Lea Henderson Foundation, Linda Houldin of the VMA Association, and retiring state Rep. Bill Adolph.