MATAMORAS, PA – A new granite monument saluting military women throughout America’s history has been dedicated in Matamoras’ Airport Park Veterans Memorial Park and Education Center.
Located directly across the Delaware River from Port Jervis, the monument in the Pennsylvania community, recognizes all military women.
Designed by local Artist Kim Pearce under the park society’s guidance, it includes branches of the military in which women have served and America’s Integration Act of 1948 as giving women full recognition as veterans.
Despite brief showers that began just before the June 12, 2026 Women Veterans Day ceremony began, a pavilion in the park remained filled with veterans, community residents, business owners, elected officials, musicians, and members of veteran and civic organizations. Five veteran residents of Scranton’s Gino Merli Veteran Center were also transported to attend the ceremony.
Pennsylvania State Senator Lisa Baker, herself from a long line of family military service, was the keynote speaker. She praised the community for caring and meeting service with respect and gratitude.
Baker noted the willingness of women throughout history to always put family and community ahead of self, generation-after-generation.
“It is a matter of history that when this area was a dangerous frontier, women did not have a choice about defending home and hearth,” Baker noted, praising those who also enlisted and were immediately “all in.”
“Every time I see my colleague Tracy Pennycuick representing principle in the State Senate, it is a reminder of the ability of women to serve, fight, lead, sacrifice and persevere,” Baker said. “Prior to being elected to office, Senator Pennycuick retired from the US Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. A Bronze Star recipient, her 26-year military career spanned from combat medic to Black Hawk helicopter pilot and included three combat tours in Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan.”
Baker noted that Pennycuick also led the effort to designate June 12 as Women Veterans Day in Pennsylvania, an effort Baker was proud to support.
“What you have done through your selfless service gives deep meaning to this day,” Baker told those gathered for Matamoras’ June 12th monument dedication.
The event was sponsored by Veterans Memorial Park and Education Center Society’s President Kevin Stroyan and fellow society members. The ceremony included Presentation of Colors by Devore Quinn American Legion Post #486, Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scout Troop 1071, National Anthem by Ava Aston, welcome and prayer by Rev. Butch Gilpin of Hope Evangelical Free Church and Rev. Alice Ringus of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, and Taps by Al Gessner, among others. Many women veterans were in attendance, along with family members and others representing those who were unable to be there in person.