Crosses draw attention to veteran suicide

A field of white crosses now stands along Coastal Highway, just north of Five Points near Lewes, to increase awareness of veteran suicide and what can be done to prevent it.

The Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assembly 2413 has teamed with 22aday.org, a national organization, to bring the display to Sussex County for the first time. The crosses are located on the parish grounds of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church.

Knights of Columbus volunteers will place 22 crosses per day for 30 days to illustrate that, on average, 22 veterans die by suicide each day. When the program ends July 4, 660 crosses will be at that location.

Paul Dombrowski, faithful navigator, which is the leader of the 4th Degree Assembly, said the event is about awareness and prevention.

“We have great exposure, not just for the general public, but we also have a lot of politicians that come here over the summer. We have to keep people mindful that this is a serious problem,” he said. “If you know a veteran having a tough time, talk to them, work with them to get help. Don’t ignore it.”

Dombrowski said people who have lost a veteran to suicide can come by the memorial every day at 9:30 a.m. and write their veteran’s name on a cross.

So far in 2025, 22aday.org has traveled to North Carolina, Florida and Michigan to set up the crosses – 1,980 so far.

Jon Luker, the secretary/treasurer of 22aday.org, said the Knights of Columbus invited them to come to Delaware.

“The [Knights of Columbus] had helped out down in Florida. They thought this would be a good location and we agreed, after they were able to secure enough volunteer help,” Luker said. 

Luker said 22aday.org will be part of the Knights of Columbus’ Fourth of July celebration. He said a closing ceremony will be held at the site Sunday, July 6.

For more information, go to 22aday.org.