Commemorates Park History; More Robust Information on Monuments

NEW CASTLE, Del. Today, Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) officials unveiled the agency’s new website for the Veterans Memorial Park (VMP) complex, home to the War Memorial Wall that bears the names of the nearly 15,000 military personnel from New Jersey and Delaware who perished in the line of duty during World War II and the Korean War.  This new site, which may be accessed at www.veteransmemorialpark.us, contains a searchable database of Memorial Wall names, details on park history, resources, directions to the park, as well as information on other monuments.  

“We wanted to enrich the website and make it more convenient for visitors and veterans to learn about Veterans Memorial Park, its genesis, and the history behind the many monuments and plaques located on this sacred ground,” said Thomas J. Cook, DRBA Executive Director.  “Our veterans have done so much to protect our freedom and way of life and it’s incumbent upon us to always remember their sacrifices.”

Originally created in 2015, the previous VMP website contained five webpages.  The new site is twenty-five pages and growing, with more detailed information about the monuments, the park’s history, and its operations. Some of improvements include:

• Interactive elements that allow people to visit the park virtually as well as in person
• More detailed and mobile-optimized information to supplement in-person visits
• ADA compliance with latest web standards that make viewing the site a better experience for all
• Added history and perspective about the various elements of the park including more robust stories about each monument and what they represent 

The iconic Memorial Wall is the “heart” of Veterans Memorial Park and serves as a lasting tribute of respect and remembrance.

The Lyons family was integral to the establishment of the Memorial Park.  Garrett E. Lyons, father of former DRBA Chairman Garrett B. Lyons Sr., is honored through the self-titled Memorial walkway leading up to the War Memorial on the DRBA grounds.  This brick walkway pays homage to a man who proved essential to the completion of both the War Memorial and the Delaware Memorial Bridge. His dedication to obtaining the necessary land to build the Memorial is now immortalized in this walkway that was constructed by DRBA maintenance personnel in 1995.  

In 1955, Mr. Lyons served as the first Director of the Delaware Interstate Highway Division, the forerunner to the present-day Authority.  Mr. Lyons passed on February 6, 1960.  His son, Garrett B. Lyons, Sr., who passed away in December 2007, served for more than 27 years as a DRBA Commissioner, including 24 of those years as either Chairman or Vice Chairman.

Since its dedication in 1956, the War Memorial now known as Veterans Memorial Park hosts special services to commemorate Memorial Day and Veterans Day every year.  In fact, the Veterans Memorial Park at the Delaware Memorial Bridge is designated as an official hosting site for such services by the National Veterans Day Committee in Washington, D.C.  Veterans Memorial Park is one of 68 such recognized national sites in the United States and its territories.  Sponsored by the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs, these services on May 30 and November 11 begin at 10:30 a.m.    

Developed by Spruce Technology of Clifton, New Jersey, the new site was developed on the Drupal 9 platform. Spruce completed the first phase of the project, which included the main Delaware River and Bay Authority and new Delaware Memorial Bridge sites, in 2021. Following completion of this second phase, the focus shifts to the DRBA’s five aviation facilities.  The Cape May – Lewes Ferry site will then be transitioned to this latest version of Drupal in early 2023.

About the Delaware River and Bay Authority
The DRBA, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, and the Delaware City – Salem Ferry Crossing.  The DRBA also manages corporate and aviation properties through its economic development powers - two airports in New Jersey (Millville Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (Wilmington Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All DRBA operating revenues are generated through the bridge, ferry and airport facilities.  For more information, visit www.drba.net.

About Spruce
Spruce Technology, Inc. (Spruce) is a leading provider of digital and technology services for multiple industries in the public, private, and federal sectors. With 15 years in business, Spruce leverages a global talent network of hundreds of resources to provide world-class technology services, solutions, and staff to further the mission and vision of our valued clients. Spruce helps customers modernize and maximize their IT through capabilities in Digital Experience, Cybersecurity, Data/Analytics, Cloud Enablement, and much more. For more information, visit www.sprucetech.com.