The Medal of Honor Grove

The Medal of Honor Grove. . , THE HALLOWED GROUND OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR GROVE , IS THE OLDEST LIVING MEMORIAL DEDICATED TO THE SERVICE , AND SACRIFICE OF THE RECIPIENTS OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR., Within today's 42-acre Grove is a dedicated area of land for each of the 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Recipients are honored in the state they entered service. They are identified by name, rank, and service branch on their state's obelisk, and additionally honored with a ground marker engraved with their name, branch of service, and the date and location of the act of valor., The land for the Medal of Honor Grove was dedicated in 1964, with the first four state areas - California, Mississippi, Nevada and Ohio - dedicated in 1968. By the mid-1990s all states and territories had obelisks in place. Through the years, organizations have replaced many of the original fiberglass obelisks with granite ones., The Medal of Honor Grove was placed under a conservation easement agreement by Freedoms Foundation, Schuylkill Township, Chester County and Natural Lands Trust in 2017, ensuring its preservation in perpetuity. The Grove remains the private property of Freedoms Foundation and is under the stewardship of the Friends of the Medal of Honor Grove., In 2019, under the leadership of the Friends of the Grove and volunteers skilled in forestry and horticulture, the Grove was approved for Level 1 arboretum accreditation through the ArbNet program. Among the more than 50 varieties of trees are Cedar of Lebanon, Landsdowne Sycamore, Pawpaw, Eastern Ninebark. Valley Forge American Elm and Oakleaf "Ruby Slippers" Hydrangea. The Medal of Honor Grove has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Audubon Society as a Bird Habitat.