My Valley Forge Story: Joe Webster

Park Superintendent Rose Fennell and guest speakers from Valley Forge's 50th Birthday Opening Ceremony celebration cut the ribbon at the new showcase firepit. NPS/G.Purifoy

Pennsylvania State Representative Joe Webster speaks at Valley Forge's 50th Birthday Opening Ceremony on July 3, 2026.

Good morning.

I’m standing here, just absorbing and enjoying this place.I had a few other things in mind to speak to today. Then I heard Commissioner Moskowitz speak, and the three words she highlighted: sacrifice, leadership, and hope.

As I stand here, I know, I am the beneficiary of that sacrifice. And I suspect you are, too. All of us. But I don’t have a specific memory around July 4th, 1976.

You see, I wasn’t here, back in 1976, to celebrate a bicentennial. I pretty much missed all that. Because on June 20th of that year I left Philly and went to Air Force basic training. There must have been something about the 4th of July and basic training. But I don’t recall…

I suspect I was pretty much like the 4-year old myself, at that point, that she also mentioned. I hung on every word. And the names were the names of giants, to me. Washington, von Steuben, Muhlenberg… here at Valley Forge. And others in the legacy of the Air Force and first flights. But I kinda missed the 4th of July that year.

Fortunately, now, I get to represent a Pennsylvania House district that borders the Valley Forge National Park.

I’ve heard Superintendent Fennell describe the story here at Valley Forge in a very stark, and powerful way. That Washington retreated to Valley Forge. He retreated. And we all know the stories of that dreadful winter, and the sacrifices those soldiers made just to survive. But, under astounding leadership, powerful leadership, they began training here, together. And, in the Spring, that ragtag group marched in here, marched out of here, marched out of Valley Forge, in the Spring, and now they were the Continental Army.

Almost two years ago, I had the opportunity to stand down at the Arch here and swear-in a brand new military officer. I got to put my uniform back on and I got to say, “Raise your right hand…” and, as I stand here today, the important part of that part of that reflection goes back to those three words. It doesn’t end with that new officer. It starts anew. It revives hope. Sacrifice, leadership, and hope.

I think for today, especially today, we are blessed with that sense of hope. And I “hope” you can feel that as strongly as I do.

Thank you for that!

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• Valley Forge National Historical Park

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