'Live from the Newsroom' previews the Delaware County Veterans Memorial

1,019.

That's today's Daily Number. It's also something else. Something very spec ial.

It's the number of names on the new Delaware County Veterans Memorial that will be dedicated on Saturday.

It is one of the most powerful messages, honors and remembrances I can think of to offer thanks to those who have served their country, and the many who have offered the ultimate sacrifice.

Saturday's event promises to be one of the biggest occasions in Delaware County in years. You can read an advance story on the Memorial here.

Last night I got a chance to sit down with some of the very special people responsible for this monument on our live-stream Internet show, 'Live From the Newsroom."

If you missed it, you can read it here.

My thanks to Newtown Township supervisor Linda Houldin; Guy Fizzano, the owner of Fizzano Brothers Concrete and the board president of the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association; and in particular men who have put their lives on the line for all the rest of us - Marty Costello, commander of the Delco American Legion; Tom Brown, the VFW Pennsylvania Chairman; and  Bill Kinney, from the Smedley Butler Detachment and the Marine Corps League.

I highly recommend you watch the replay of last night's show. Listen to the emotion in these men's voices as they talk about the Memorial and you will see what it means to them.

And what it should mean to all of us.

The dedication of the Delaware County Veterans Memorial takes place Saturday at the site, on West Chester Pike in Newtown Square, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Among those on hand will be former Gov. Tom Ridge, current Gov. Tom Corbett, Congressman Pat Meehan (R-7), Major Gen. Wesley Craig, adjutant general of the Pennsylvania National Guard, and Brigadier Gen. Kevin Jacobsen, U.S. Air Force, and a graduate of Marple Newtown High School.

It promises to be a day to remember.

And a fitting honor to those who remind us of a simple truth we too often overlook.

Freedom isn't free. Need proof? Cast your eyes on the 1,019 names on the Delaware County Veterans Memorial.

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