Near Phoenixville in Chester County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Ancient Order of Hibernians Monument
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 20, 2023
1. Ancient Order of Hibernians Monument
Sister Maria Veronica Keane, IHM, the Medal of Honor archivist at Freedoms Foundation for 17 years, learned that more than 150 men who received the Medal were not citizens and could not be attributed to any state in the Grove. Because many were born in Ireland, she reached out to the Ancient Order of Hibernians about finding a way to honor these recipients. The AOH responded wholeheartedly. They began a nationwide fund-raising campaign to erect a memorial to the memory of, not only the Irish, but all these unsung heroes.
On Aug. 24 1985, years of hard work came to an emotional conclusion. A seven-foot Obelisk of Honor, fashioned from Wicklow granite from Ireland and donated by Irish Prime Minister Charles Haughey, was dedicated at the entrance of the Grove.
Sister Veronica retired as archivist two years later, but the Ancient Order of Hibernians continue their commitment to maintaining this special area of the Grove.
[Photo captions read]
Left: In 2017, AOH Divisions constructed a wall and garden for the recipients' ground plaques and installed a flag pole. The AOH continues to faithfully maintain this area's monument.
Above: Sister Veronica with Joe Sullivan, AOH Chairman of Dedication (left), and Joe Roche, National President of the AOH in America, in August 1985.
Erected
this page online
Topics. This monument and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is August 24, 1985.
Location. 40° 6.33′ N, 75° 28.454′ W. Marker is near Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, in Chester County. Marker is in the Medal of Honor Grove on the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge campus, near the AOH Monument. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1601 Valley Forge Road, Phoenixville PA 19460, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Irish-born Medal of Honor Recipients (here, next to this marker); Immigrant Medal of Honor Recipients (here, next to this marker); Chaplains Memorial (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Chaplains Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Arizona Medal of Honor Recipients (a few steps from this marker); The Medal of Honor Grove (a few steps from this marker); 75th Infantry Division (within shouting distance of this marker); Medal of Honor Grove Map Dedication (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Phoenixville.
Also see . . .
1. Irish Soldiers in the Civil War. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on September 7, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 20, 2023
2. Ancient Order of Hibernians Monument and Marker
2. Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. Website homepage (Submitted on September 7, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Ancient Order of Hibernians. Website homepage (Submitted on September 7, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 511 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
