News & Updates

< return to News & Updates | Veterans Memorial >

In The Architect's Words: Newtown Township Veterans Memorial Design Concept

George Matuszewski on the Veterans Memorial Design

When first asked to propose a concept for the memorial. I was given some basic information to be considered in the design.

1. That the Memorial was for all Wars involving Americans. From the Revolutionary war, War of 1812; the Civil war; as well as all major world wars. Such as World wars One & Two; Korea, Viet - Nam, Gulf war, etc.

2. That it was for all branches of the armed forces.

3. That it needed to be both a place to hold ceremonies, but also a place where one could come and be contemplative.

4. The site offered for the memorial was at an entry corner, with primary views up and down Rte - 3. So the memorial needed to have a commanding presence, without being over bearing.

With this in mind I began researching the wars and conflicts America fought. Which led me to look into battles and skirmishes leading up to the Revolutionary war, such as the French & Indian Wars, and those after such as the Mexican-American war, Spanish American war, etc. Along with those fought in between major 20th century conflicts. Grenada, Lebanon, Panama, Mogadishu, etc. The location for the Memorial seemed to be unique, in that it was at the entry to an office development, with future residential and Town Square retail facilities planned. Making the memorial part of the major view when entering, or traveling along Rte 3. In addition the earth mound along Rte 3 offered a degree of privacy. Most sites where you find memorials placed today, are pieces of land, that are left over, no one is sure what to do with. Either because of location, size or shape. These locations tend to have high visibility, but little privacy. So, except for planned memorial events. They are little used, by the general public. This memorial wanted to be part of daily life and offer more than just a place to go. Each Battle, Conflict, War was fought for a reason. The events that took place, before, during and after, needed to be made known to the visitor. The memorial respects the history surrounding each war or conflict. Educating the visitor, to why it was necessary for these wars to have been fought.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of this description North or Northerly will be from the center of the circle through the center of the United States of America Flag pole.

As the information began to be thought through, a concept for the physical form started to take shape. A circle was selected as the basic shape, because it invokes a sense of Unity. The axis's of the circle were oriented in a Northerly and Southerly direction. Centered on a peninsula of land, that protruded into and separating two rows of parking along the inside edge of the sites green planted area leading up along Rte 3 and down towards the office mall areas.

The perimeter of the circle is defined by a continuous granite curb. The 82'-0" diameter circle is bisected into two halves, along its east / west axis, the Northern portion and the Southern portion. The southern half circle is further defined by a nine column black granite faced colonnade with a semi-circular capital and freeze beam. Each column representing a foreign war. Each column having a bronze plaque describing historical events occurring prior, during and after each war. There will be two semi-circular planting beds. A larger, outer one and smaller, inner one. The colonnade will sit within the center line of the larger semi-circular planting bed. There will be a brick or stone paved semi-circular area, between the inner and outer planting beds. The inner semi-circular planting area, is where the armed conflicts such as Grenada, Panama, Lebanon will be represented. A level change occurs along the Northeast/ Northwest radius. With the elevation of the Southern portion of the circle being raised approximately three feet vertically above the North portion. This is further accented by a black Granite retaining wall radiating out easterly and westerly from the center of the circle. The lower North portion of the circle, receives the main 24'-0" wide by 48'-0" long entry Plaza that extends in from the parking area. At the forefront of the plazas entry from the parking area, and centered on the Northerly axis. Will stand our nations Flag, the Stars & Stripes. On each side, but slightly behind will be the Pennsylvania state Flag and the P.O.W. flag. From the entry plaza two ramps circle up along the outside edge of the circles perimeter to the raised southern half. One to the east and one to the west. Equally spaced along the inner edge of each ramp, will be the flags of each service branch. Placed along the west ramp will be the flags of the Navy, Marines, Coast guard and Merchant marines. Placed along the east ramp will be the flags of the Army, Air Force, Army National Guard and Air National Guard. Between each side of the plaza and the ramps, are planting areas. At the circles center. The intersection of its axis's. Will stand a diamond shaped obelisk, with its corner points facing North, South, East and West along the axis's of the circle. This is where both the revolutionary and Civil wars will be represented. The revolutionary on the northerly side and the Civil war on the Southerly side. On top of the obelisk will sit the Bald- Eagle, facing toward the US Flag and the entry of the memorial. The obelisk sits in the center of an elongated twelve foot wide, reflecting pool. With a portion of the pool on the raised Southern half of the circle, with its waters flowing around each side of the obelisk and falling into the lower elongated pool waters. The perimeter walls of the pool will allow seating along its edge. On each side of the pool will be a set of steps leading up to the raised half of the memorial and the inner planting bed and semi-circular plaza. The memorial has its main entry point centered on a northerly and southerly axis, directed from the corner point of the intersection toward the parking area. However, there will be a walk way extending from the memorial along the edge of the parking, down towards the lower intersection and access to the parking area. The intention that along this pathway, will be smaller stone monuments representing the major conflicts fought by the colonies or occurring within the nation leading up to the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.

VISITORS EXPERIENCE

The memorial is approached from two locations. First, from the parking lot to the north. Or, along the walkway leading from the office park and future Shops at Marville, to the West.

From the parking area. The national stars and stripes, flanked by the Pennsylvania state and POW flags are at the forefront to the entry of the memorials lower plaza. S

tanding at the base of the nations flag one can see the plaza extend to and around the two level reflecting pool, and turning into a pair of steps. One on each side of the reflecting pool, rising approximately three feet to the upper plaza level. From each side of the steps a black granite wall radiates outward towards the memorials outer edge.

Sitting.

Centered within the memorial and the reflecting pool, extending upward through the water fall, from the lower pool to a point approximately three feet above the upper pool is a diamond shaped obelisk. With a screaming Bald Eagle perched at its top, facing towards the national flag. The northerly sides of the obelisk pays respect to the Revolutionary war with the inscriptions of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. The Southerly sides of the obelisk pays respect to the memory of the Civil war. With Lincoln's Gettysburg Address inscribed. Two wars fought on our own soil. That define us as a Nation. Standing for the right of every man to be free. Beyond can be seen, the colonnade, with its semi-circular capitol and freeze beam.

Again from the plaza entry, there are two ramps. One to the east. One to the west. Like embracing arms they following the outer edge of the circle curving upward around planting areas to the upper plaza level. Along the inside edge of each ramp. Equally spaced, are the flags representing each branch of the military services. To the west are the Flags of the Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines. To the east are the flags of the army, Air Force, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard. Following the ramps to the upper level, the memorial continues its circular form with the nine column semi-circular colonnade. Set within a semi-circular planting bed. With each column representing a major war fought on foreign soil, and each bearing an historical description of events prior, during and after the conflict. Possibly individual writings of those who served within these conflicts, could be inscribed on various columns. Modular paving units make up the semi-circular plaza area giving access to the planted area and columns. Between the colonnade and fountain, is a smaller semi-circular planting bed. With bronze stars placed within the planting area, each representing and Dedicated to the memory of those lesser known, but not less important foreign conflicts or police actions.

A smaller paved circular area placed between the smaller semi-circular planting bed and the upper fountain, allows access around the upper fountain and along the upper portions of the retaining walls. The raised perimeter edge of both the upper fountain pool and lower reflecting pool, will allow seating. Inscribed into the face of the retaining walls will be the names in memory of those who gave all.

PHILOSOPHICAL CONSEPT

Our nation is a Union of Country States. Each with its own level of sovereignty, but united under a common constitution so that in all things Essential we have unity; in all things unessential we have Liberty; But in All things charity in service to others and to our common cause. Which is why, the circle, a symbol of UNITY was chosen for the basic form of the memorial.

The center of the circular form was the most logical location to set the Eagle and the Obelisk that it is perched on. Here the two wars fought on American Soil. The Revolutionary war and the Civil war. Two wars that were fought for reasons that define us as a nation. The Revolutionary war, to overcome Tyranny and oppression, and establish the right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. The Civil War to maintain the Unity that was essential to this nations continuation, and to affirm the rights of all men to be free. On the Northerly side of the obelisk will be inscribed the declaration of Independence, the Bill of writes, and misc. writing of this nations forefathers. On the southerly side will be inscribed Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, along with other writtings to be determined.

The obelisk is further placed within the centerline of a two level fountain. The upper and smaller level having the fountain of eater springing forth, but with a water fall to the elongated reflecting pool below. The lower pool is elongated so the ripples caused by the turbulence of the water fall, would be able to able to become calm waters. Representing the peace that we all desire. From the circles center Black granite retaining walls radiate out towards the perimeter of the circle. It is on the face of these walls that the names of those who gave all, will be etched. By each name, a small hole, where a flower, a note, an object of memory, or a written prayer can be placed. These walls over look a large planting area.

From the main plaza on the lower level, ramped walkways, one to the west and one to the east rise to the upper level defining the outer edge of the circle. Also on each side of the fountain pool , steps rise to the plaza above.

On the upper level, defining the remaining portion of the circle will be a nine column colonnade with each column sitting within a planting bed. And each column representing a foreign war, inscribed with historical information and writings defining the circumstances prior, during and after the war, communicating why the war was fought, how the nation was affected during and afterward. A top the colonnade, will be a semi-circular Capitol and Freeze beam element, reaching back to the circles center axis and the inscribed granite retaining walls. Between the colonnade and Fountain will be a smaller semi-circular planting bed, with bronze stars placed within and around it, each remembering a lesser known, but not less important armed confrontation or military police action. Such as Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Mogadishu, etc.