In the Spring of 2012, the President of the MHS Class of 2013, Jeff Dever, met with the Principal of Moorestown High School, Mr. Andrew Seibel, to address two important questions. “How can we recognize the graduates of MHS who have served in the US military but whose names do not appear on the ‘Lest We Forget’ Memorial?”...and, “How can we further and perpetually honor those students/staff of MHS who served?” It was from that meeting, those questions and their leadership that the MHS Memorial Wall Committee was formed.
The committee - consisting of MHS administrators, faculty and students, district administrators and community members - was charged with considering options to answer those questions and to develop and implement solutions. Though the name has evolved to the MHS Veterans Memorial Committee, the group has fulfilled their charge in a host of ways...including the updating of the “Lest We Forget” Memorial, the creation/maintenance of the MHS Veterans Memorial webpages and resources (one webpage of which you’re viewing right now) and the development/maintenance of the MHS Veterans Display.
The idea for the MHS Veterans Display arose from two of the committee members; Mr. Bill McDermott of the MHS Social Studies Department and Mr. Lenny Wagner of the Moorestown Historical Society. They envisioned an area within Moorestown High School where students could view photographs and artifacts - provided by both the high school and the Historical Society - which highlight and honor the military service of former MHS students and community members. Mr. Seibel endorsed this vision; providing a display case - along with a community-donated flat-panel monitor - in the MHS Lobby for this purpose. During the Spring of 2013, the display case was prepared and the staff of the Moorestown Historical Society creatively placed a host of military photographs and artifacts from their collection into the display. Since that time, both the high school and the Historical Society have placed objects therein...adding to the collective recognition of military service and remembrance of those members of our community who have selflessly and bravely served our country.
Some of the photographs/artifacts you will find in the MHS Veterans Display:
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This is a military photograph of Louise Catherine McCullough. Ms. McCullough was a member of the faculty at Moorestown High School when she became an officer in the United States Naval Reserve during the darkest days of World War II. The MHS Class of 1944 dedicated their yearbook to her…”our good friend and former teacher.”
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This military photograph of Jeanne MacCracken Creelman was taken stateside (in Florida) near the end of her service during World War II. Mrs. Creelman was a member of the MHS Class of 1940. She is the mother of MHS Class of 1964 graduate and longtime MTPS employee, Mrs. Nancy (Creelman) Calhoun...and mother-in-law of MHS Class of 1964 graduate and Vietnam veteran, Mr. Richard Calhoun. Mr. Calhoun was also instrumental in the development of the MHS Class of 1964 Memorial Plaque. |
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This is a stateside photograph of William Snyder. Mr. Snyder was a graduate of Moorestown High School and was one of over 100 MHS students/graduates who served in the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. Mr. Snyder was one of three MHS students/graduates who were killed in action during the conflict. He - along with Russell Jones and Samuel Lippincott - is among the fallen brethren honored in the MHS Gold Star Roll of Honor. |
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This is a military photograph of George S. Yohnnson. Mr. Yohnnson was a member of the MHS Class of 1965 and served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He was killed in action on July 12, 1966 and was awarded the Purple Heart. He is among the fallen brethren honored in the MHS Gold Star Roll of Honor. |
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This is a framed collection of rubbings from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. Included are rubbings of the names of MHS graduates who were killed in action during the Vietnam War. Serving in the US Army, Howard H. Mayer (MHS Class of 1965) was killed in action on December 3, 1968 and was awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Serving in the US Army, Roger A. Ross (MHS Class of 1964) was killed in action on December 24, 1968 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Purple Heart. Serving in the US Navy, Walter P. Seel, Jr (MHS Class of 1965) was killed in action on February 25, 1969 and was posthumously awarded the Silver Star Medal for heroism. Serving in the US Army, George S. Yohnnson (MHS Class of 1965) was killed in action on July 12, 1966 and was awarded the Purple Heart. These four men are among the fallen brethren honored in the MHS Gold Star Roll of Honor. |
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This is a military photograph of Bruce R. Deisinger. Mr. Deisinger is a member of the MHS Class of 1964 and served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He was wounded in combat and received the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge. Mr. Deisinger was the driving force in the development of the MHS Class of 1964 Memorial Plaque. |
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This photograph of Jeffrey D. Young was taken during his service in the US Marine Corp. Mr. Young was a member of the MHS Class of 1980. Achieving the rank of Sergeant, Mr. Young was serving with the Marines in Lebanon during operations in October 1983. Sgt. Young was killed in the terrorist bombing of the United States Marine Corp barracks in Beirut, Lebanon on October 23, 1983. He is among the fallen brethren honored in the MHS Gold Star Roll of Honor. |
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The military photographs of faculty members Paul H. Isenberg, George A. Swoyer and Gregory J. Egner appeared on pages 4 and 5 of the 1943 edition of the MHS yearbook, The Nutshell. Taking temporary leave from their faculty responsibilities to join the fight for freedom that was World War II, the Moorestown High School Class of 1943 dedicated their yearbook to them, saying "...Because Mr. Isenberg, Mr. Swoyer, and Mr. Egner, who are now actively engaged in the service of humanity, believe so thoroughly in the principles for which America stands and steadfastly hope in the winning, not only of the war but also of the peace, the Class of 1943 is proud to dedicate to them this book." |