Friends Of The Medal Of Honor Grove

IN FY 2022-2023, THE FRIENDS OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR GROVE CONTINUED ITS WORK ON THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE ARBORETUM. DISEASED OR DYING TREES WERE REMOVED AND REPLACED BY NEW SAPLINGS. VOLUNTEERS HAVE TENDED THESE NEW TREES TO ENSURE THEY REMAIN VIABLE. TREES CONTINUE TO BE A FOCUS FOR THE GROUNDS COMMITTEE AND FUNDING FOR REMOVAL OF TREES IS BEING SOURCED. THE HELIPAD AREA WAS TRANSITIONED INTO AN EDUCATION CENTER AND SIGNAGE WAS PLACED WITHIN NOTING THE HISTORY OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR, THE HISTORY OF THE FRIENDS AND INFORMATION ON 10 MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS. THE FRIENDS' PLAN IS TO ROTATE THE RECIPIENTS' INFORMATION ON A REGULAR BASIS; INFORMATIONAL SIGNS FOR THE NEXT 10 RECIPIENTS ARE BEING DEVELOPED. THE PUERTO RICO AREA OF THE GROVE WAS ENHANCED WITH A ROSE GRANITE OBELISK (REPLACING THE ORIGINAL FIBERGLASS ONE) AND NEW BRICKWORK; KENTUCKY'S SITE IS BEING REFURBISHED WITH REPLACEMENT OF ITS FIBERGLASS OBELISK, DEDICATION IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 2024. A GAZEBO WAS ERECTED, FUNDED ENTIRELY BY DONATIONS, TO HONOR MILITARY PERSONNEL KILLED IN TRAINING ACCIDENTS; THE SITE WAS DEDICATED IN JUNE 2023. BENCHES WERE PURCHASED, FUNDED BY THE PA LADIES AUX VFW, FOR PLACEMENT ACROSS THE GROVE. A SITE EVALUATION WAS DONE OF THE ENTIRE GROVE. BASED ON THE FINDINGS, A SITE MANAGEMENT PLAN IS BEING DRAFTED FOR BOARD APPROVAL. A MASTER PLAN FOR TREE MAINTENANCE, SITE MAINTENANCE IS BEING DRAFTED FOR THE BOARD AND SHOULD BE READY FOR APPROVAL IN 2024. DURING FY 2022-2023, OVER 800 VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED THEIR TIME AND TALENTS TO HELP WITH VARIOUS TASKS IN THE GROVE: BOY SCOUTS DID PROJECTS TO EARN THEIR EAGLE RANK, CORPORATE VOLUNTEERS, SCHOOL GROUPS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS HELPED WITH ORGANIZED CLEAN UP DAYS, PLANTING/TENDING THE NEW SAPLINGS, RE-LOCATING GROUND PLAQUES, AND MANY OTHER TASKS. THE FRIENDS' DEPEND ON THE GENEROSITY AND COMMITMENT OF VOLUNTEERS TO FULFILL THEIR MISSION OF MAINTAINING, IMPROVING AND ENHANCING THE MEDAL OF HONOR GROVE. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THEIR SUPPORT.