t was really moving to see so many people attending the Veterans Day event at the Rehoboth Bandstand Nov. 11, sponsored by the Rehoboth VFW Post 7447, its ladies auxiliary and men's auxiliary. The young people from Cape Henlopen High School Band, the Cape Henlopen High School's Viking Battalion Army JROTC, and the Civil Air Patrol balanced the aging ranks of some of the retired military veterans.
We know our country will be in good hands if these young people are any indication. What pleased me the most was the unassuming way most of the veterans, for whom we owe our life, liberty and freedom, participated and obviously cared for and about each other. I had the privilege to distribute Buddy Poppies. I captured a photo - a young dad putting a Buddy Poppy on the shirt of his young son. He knew the sacrifices of those for whom this day reflects their love of their country and their willingness to put their lives on the line for all of us.
The adorable little boy brought over a bill donation just after this photo was taken. The funds received from the donations to the VFW's Buddy Poppy Drive help our military and our veterans in distress. In the 1920s, volunteers began distributing paper poppies, which looked like the wildflowers growing on the graves of our war dead on the western front during World War I, in remembrance of our war dead and to show their support of our living veterans their families. This year VFW Post Commander Ed Tucker decided that the funds would be given to Fisher House at Dover AFB where the families of our military who lost their lives in defense of our country can stay when they come to claim their loved ones' mortal remains.
The invocation by John Smith, post chaplain, and the keynote speech by Col. Matthew J. Barlow Jr., Army Medical Corps, retired, were both informative, emotional and quite moving. Thanks to all who participated from the various military organizations in the area, as well as local leaders, and all who attended, and especially thank you to our nation's military and veterans.
Barbara Mcgowan
Lewes
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