Fort Miles to salute Delaware’s fallen WWII soldiers Sept. 2
The Fort Miles Historical Association will salute the 800 brave men and women born in Delaware who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country during World War II, with a ceremony at 11 a.m., Monday, Sept. 2, at the Fort Miles Museum Artillery Park. The event will take place near the museum’s 16-inch gun barrel that was on the turret of the USS Missouri in September 1945, when the Japanese Imperial Forces surrendered to Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
Following a presentation of the colors by an American Legion Honor Guard and remarks from Dr. Gary Wray, the names of 100 Delaware service men and women will be read with a chime salute as each name is announced.
The big gun is located at the main entrance to Fort Miles Museum’s Battery 519 in Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes. Park entrance fees are in effect. Free self-guided tours of Battery 519 will be available after the ceremony from noon to 2 p.m., with FMHA docents on hand to provide information about the numerous exhibits. The Battery 519 Gift Shop and the Visiting Artists Gallery will also be open.
Museum-related items and novelties can be purchased in the gift shop, and visitors can purchase prints of works by artists Howard Schroeder and Paul Rendel in the gallery. Original sketches completed during the annual Delaware Goes to War open house earlier this year will also be available for purchase. For more information, go to www.fortmilesha.org.
