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Flags for Heroes event honors veterans

Ceremony wraps Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary fundraiser for Sussex County nonprofits
As the clock neared the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary hosted its annual Flags for Heroes ceremony. The event was moved indoors at Cape Henlopen High School. Flags for Heroes raises money for local nonprofits through donations. This year, Madeleine Overturf of Coast TV, at podium, served as emcee. Her father spent 37 years as a fighter pilot in the USAF. BILL SHULL PHOTOS
Bill Shull
November 11, 2025

The Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary held its annual Flags for Heroes ceremony on Veterans Day.

The event is usually held in front of 550 American flags flying along Kings Highway, but cold weather forced it indoors at Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes.

Flags for Heroes raises money for Sussex County nonprofits through donations and the sale of medallions for $50 apiece. The medallions are attached to the flags in honor of a loved one who served.

The ceremony began with the presentation of colors by the Cape Henlopen High School by the JROTC. The Cape Chorale performed the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

Distinguished guests included Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes; Rep. Alonna Berry, D-Milton; Amy Marasco, Lewes mayor; and Joseph Lawson, Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice executive director.

“Veterans remind us that democracy has always demanded courage to stand up for one another; the courage to see our neighbor not as an enemy, but as a fellow American,” Huxtable said.

Lawson shared his personal stories of five generations of family members who served, beginning with his great grandfather, a former slave who ran away and joined the Union Army, up to his grandson.

“He just finished basic training and he served in ROTC right here. He is now a proud member of the Army and is going into artillery. This is a multi-generational thing for our family and so many American families,” Lawson said.

Coast TV Chief Meteorologist Paul Williams was this year’s keynote speaker.

Madeleine Overturf, news anchor at Coast TV, was emcee. Her father spent 37 years as a fighter pilot in the Air Force.

For more information and to donate, go to flagsforheroes-lrrc.com.

 

While the ceremony was held indoors, 550 American flags flew in the wind outside the high school along Kings Highway. The Rotary sold medallions for $50 apiece that were attached to the flags in honor of a loved one who served.
The Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary selected Paul Williams, Coast TV chief meteorologist, as this year’s keynote speaker for the Veterans Day event. Shown are (l-r) Chuck Ward, Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary past president and Vietnam veteran; Williams; and Bill Huntley, Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary past president.
Members of the Cape Henlopen High School band perform in the high school lobby.
Joseph Lawson, Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice executive director, spekas about five generations of his family who served or currently serve in the military.
Lewes Mayor Amy Marasco is one of the featured speakers at Flags for Heroes.
Margo Zmuda, Delaware’s Little Miss Lewes, attends the Flags for Heroes ceremony.
The ceremony begins with the presentation of colors by the Cape Henlopen High School JROTC.

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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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