Speakers reflected on the school's history and the sacrifices made by its former students.
"We do have a sacred and distinct debt to our veterans," said City of Philadelphia Chief of Staff for the Office of Veterans Affairs Kat Kirkman.
The original all-male Thomas Edison High School, once located at 8th and Lehigh, suffered more wartime fatalities than any other U.S. high school.
"Sixty-four from one school. More than any school in the United States of America. It's unheard of!" said Steve Boyd, an Edison alumnus and Vietnam veteran.
Edison alumni and veterans Boyd and Darryl Johnson participated in Drexel's annual remembrance event, sharing stories and emphasizing the importance of preserving the memory of The Edison 64.
"We wanted to make sure that their legacy is known by not just the school, not just the students, but the entire community," Johnson said.
Drexel Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Life Katie Zamulinsky noted the magnitude of the school's loss.
"The idea of a school community enduring the loss of 64 young people in such a short period of time is almost unimaginable," she said.
The program also highlighted ongoing support for veterans, including services offered at the Edison 64 Veterans Community, built on the site of the former high school.
"Too many veterans are falling through the cracks. That's why Edison 64's veterans community is so important," said Kirkman.
The ceremony closed with a reminder of the lasting responsibility to honor those who served.
"These heroes will not and shall not be forgotten," said Johnson.
Another Philadelphia school, Father Judge High School in Northeast Philadelphia, also holds a somber distinction, having lost 27 graduates in the Vietnam War, more than any other currently existing private or Catholic school in the country.