Fun rally, many new faces, vets, and military family members came out and stood tall showing public affection for our brave troops and their noble missions. Thanks to all who came out and made it happen.

Today’s highlight was a visit from a local Marine named Erin, she graduated from Downingtown High School and has been a Marine for five years. She held the flag for us while we sang the National Anthem.

She’s a sargeant, has been to Iraq and is currently training at Camp Lejeune for a tour in Afghanistan. She came with her Aunt Mary and her friend Laurie.

(will add more pictures later)

The Hannity Freedom Concerts raise money for children of fallen military, they get full 4-year college scholarships. The concerts are wonderful, thousands of patriotic Americans, all there for one purpose – to honor our troops and their families.

Nick held the flag for us as we sang the Star Spangled Banner and prayed for our troops protection and success.

There was an empty spot up front, where Frank McDermott, our WWII Veteran always was. Frank was an inspiration to all of us. Now he’s smiling at us from heaven and will always be in our hearts.

We received a nice sympathy card from a lady named Andi, who is a member of the Chester County Peace Movement. She wrote a thoughtful message about Frank. Andi has a son named Christopher in the Air Force who has been in the service for over 20 years and he’s currently serving in Iraq. All of us appreciate Andi’s kindness and will keep her son in our thoughts and prayers.

His obituary appeared in today’s Daily Local Newspaper.

Francis J. ‘Frank’ McDermott of West Chester
Francis J. “Frank” McDermott, 84 of West Chester, passed away July 31, 2010.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane McDermott (McKniff), with whom he shared 53 years of marriage.

Born in Philadelphia, April 10, 1926, he was the son of the late Francis A. McDermott and Anna Mahon McDermott.

He proudly served in the U.S. Army 70th Tank Battalion in the European Theater during World War II.

He was a dedicated member of the Chester County Victory Movement http://americansheepdogs.com/

Frank received a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Joseph’s University. He began his teaching career at St. Elizabeth’s High School and retired in 1988 after 33 years of teaching high school in Delaware. He coached football, basketball, and directed the theater program.

He was a lifelong, avid fisherman.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by sisters, Rita of Cherry Hill, N.J., Anne Clark (Bob) of Bowie, Md., and Marie of Madison, Wis.; proud father of sons, Frank of Athens, Ohio, Paul (Pam) of Tucson, Ariz., and John (Mary Jane) of Landenberg; daughters, Marianne (Ken Cattell) of Downingtown, Kathy of Mystic Island, N.J., and Sue (Tom Hitchner) of Mullica Hill, N.J.; and by nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.

He was predeceased by his sister, Helen McBride; and brother, Joseph.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass at noon Thursday, Aug. 5, at St. Agnes Church, 233 W. Gay St., West Chester, PA 19380. Interment is private. Visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 5 at the DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home Inc., 410 N. Church St., West Chester, PA 19380, 610-696-1181, www.DellaFH.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory may be made to the St. Martins Ministries, Benedictine Sisters, 14259 Benedictine Lane, Ridgley, MD 21660.