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Rehoboth Beach honors veterans on Memorial Day

Solemn tribute to those who sacrificed for the country
Members of the organizations who provided this year’s wreaths gather at the City of Rehoboth Beach veterans memorial. BILL SHULL PHOTOS
Bill Shull
May 27, 2024

The City of Rehoboth Beach held its annual Memorial Day observance May 27 at the Bandstand. The event was organized by American Legion Post 5.

“You must remember why we do this every Memorial Day,” said Kay Johnson, assistant commander of Post 5. “People died for us. They went into the service and died in the line of duty so that we can do this today.”

“Every year, I’m here,” said Terry Wieczorek, who served 20 years in the Navy as a radioman. He was one of the veterans, from all branches of the military, who attended to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country.

Retired Cmdr. John Burke, U.S. Navy, was the keynote speaker. “How true it is that we all connect to the family of veterans, whether it’s your cousin, grandparent, son, parent, spouse or partner. I don’t know anyone not connected to families of veterans.”

Members of American Legion Post 5, VFW Post 7447, Elks Lodge 2540, Civil Air Patrol, Daughters of the American Revolution, Delaware Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Caesar Rodney Chapter and the Kiwanis Coastal Club laid 10 wreaths at the Rehoboth Beach veterans memorial. A recorded gun salute and taps were played.

Aaron Webster performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.”

 

Navy veteran Terry Wieczorek stands for his service song, “Anchors Aweigh.” He said he spent 20 years in the Navy as a radioman, and he attends the Rehoboth event every year to pay tribute to all veterans.
Retired Cmdr. John Burke, U.S. Navy, was the keynote speaker. “We’re called to remember those who gave the gift of their lives, so we can continue to enjoy our freedom,” he said.
Billy Baker salutes during the ceremony.
Tom Dahl, commander of American Legion Post 5, serves as the emcee for the morning’s Memorial Day observance.
A patriotic crowd gathers at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand for the annual Memorial Day observance.
Aaron Webster performs the “Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.” Webster is an accomplished musician, Eagle Scout and member of Post 5’s Sons of the American Legion.
People who came to participate in the ceremony at the Bandstand include (l-r) retired Cmdr. John Burke, U.S. Navy; Aaron Webster, musician; Ron Webster, Post 5 adjutant; Sen. Russ Huxtable D-Lewes; Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach; Greg Gause, Post 5 chaplain; and Stan Mills, mayor of Rehoboth Beach.
Bud Hollis salutes during the ceremony.
The color guard from Cape Henlopen High School Army JROTC presents the nation’s colors at the ceremony.
Lt. Col. Robert Turner, Civil Air Patrol, right, leads members in a wreath-laying ceremony and tribute to CAP veterans who lost their lives.
Bill Wood attends the event to honor veterans in Rehoboth Beach.
Lt. Col. Robert Turner, Civil Air Patrol, left, and Rich Bardy of VFW Post 7447 listen to speakers at the event.
Greg Gause, Post 5 chaplain, gives the invocation.
Many people wore patriotic shirts on their backs and their emotions on their sleeves while paying tribute to those who gave all for their country.

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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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