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Ceremony closes out field of crosses near Lewes

Monthlong memorial raised awareness of veteran suicide
Joe Hanley, right, is joined by Junior Kirschner, left, and Jim Kirschner to pay respects to Hanley’s son, Nathaniel. Hanley’s name was on a cross at a memorial to raise awareness of veteran suicide next to St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church near Lewes. Hanley was an Army veteran who took his own life three years ago. A closing ceremony for the monthlong initiative by 22aday.org was held July 6. BILL SHULL PHOTOS
Bill Shull
July 13, 2025

The field had 660 crosses, but there was one that mattered most to Joe Hanley.

Hanley came to pay respects to his son, Nathaniel, an Army Ranger who died by suicide three years ago.

Hanley’s cross was placed in the field at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church on Route 1 near Lewes, part of a monthlong memorial to raise awareness of veteran suicide.

A closing ceremony was held July 6.

The national organization 22aday.org takes the crosses around the country to try and save lives. They teamed up with Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assembly 2413 to bring the initiative to Delaware for the first time.

Hanley said having his son remembered that way is special.

“It’s a powerful thing to have his name travel and represent this tragedy,” Hanley said.

Jon Luker, spokesman for 22aday.org, said the memorial was a success.

“Several people have stopped by and explained the impact on them. Some have people they’ve lost; some have people they’re trying to get help for,” Luker said.

He said helping to save a life could be as easy as asking a veteran how they’re doing.

The July 6 ceremony included honor guards from the Knights of Columbus and American Legion Post 28. Post 28 performed a 21-gun salute and a flag-folding demonstration.

Fire trucks from Milton and Rehoboth Beach flew a large American flag over the ceremony.

Children from the St. Jude religious education group placed 22 American flags at the display. The 22aday.org group is scheduled to next take the crosses to an American Legion post in Michigan.

For more information, go to 22aday.org.

Children from the St. Jude religious education group place 22 American flags at the cross display.
Jon Luker, spokesman for 22aday.org, says the cross display at St. Jude was successful in raising awareness for veteran suicide.
Dick Mansfield, left, and Ken Mullin demonstrate how to properly fold an American flag for a military funeral.
Fire trucks from Milton and Rehoboth Beach flew a large American flag over the ceremony.
Honor guards from the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assembly 2413, left, and American Legion Post 28 take part in the July 6 closing ceremony. Post 28 also performed a 21-gun salute.
Dave Marshall performs “God Bless America” at the close of the ceremony. Ed Malec, Knights of Columbus, left, and Wendy Hibbits, 22aday.org president, look on.
A total of 22 white crosses were added each day during the 30-day initiative to draw attention to veteran suicide. There were 660 at the end of the project.

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Bill Shull has been covering Lewes for the Cape Gazette since 2023. He comes to the world of print journalism after 40 years in TV news. Bill has worked in his hometown of Philadelphia, as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He came to Lewes in 2014 to help launch WRDE-TV. Bill served as WRDE’s news director for more than eight years, working in Lewes and Milton. He is a 1986 graduate of Penn State University. Bill is an avid aviation and wildlife photographer, and a big Penn State football, Eagles, Phillies and PGA Tour golf fan. Bill, his wife Jill and their rescue cat, Lucky, live in Rehoboth Beach.

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