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Veterans honored on windy, chilly day in Rehoboth Beach

VFW Post 7447 hosts annual event at the Bandstand
VFW Post 7447 hosted its annual Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11 at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand. The winds were blowing hard enough that even the flags were at attention. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Chris Flood
November 11, 2025

Story Location:
Rehoboth Beach Bandstand
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
United States

A few dozen veterans, family members of veterans and people who simply wanted to pay respects braved strong winds and the season’s first truly cold temperatures to attend the VFW Post 7447’s annual Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11 at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand.

Capt. Dave Diefenderfer, VFW Post 7447 commander and officer in the Navy Reserves, emceed the ceremony, which he tried to keep as short as possible because of the cold and wind. The event featured an invocation and benediction by VFW Post 7447 Chaplain Dawn Drzewicki, a brief welcome by Mayor Stan Mills, and the singing of the national anthem and “God Bless America” by Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540 trustee Joy Schreck.

The keynote speaker was Chief Master Jerry Price, a retired Navy officer. He has known Diefenderfer for years. He spoke about being a veteran, carrying on the tradition of military service and continuing to do work in the name of service after retirement from the military.

Service doesn’t end when a person retires from the military, said Price, it continues in the community, because retired officers have much to offer.

“Share your story. Offer your service. Continue to make a difference,” said Price.

 

Master Chief Jerry Price, a Navy veteran, addresses the audience as the keynote speaker at the ceremony.
Cape Henlopen JROTC members (l-r) Skip Dalton, Laniel Joynes, Krystell Marine and Charlotte Sumstine present the colors during the Pledge of Allegiance.
Retired Army Staff Sgt. Richard Bardy salutes the flag during the national anthem.
Joy Schreck, from Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540, sings the national anthem.
Capt. Dave Diefenderfer stands the podium while Lani Spahr plays the bagpipes.
Marine veteran Nick Imperial is an Eagle Scout and participated at the JROTC program while at Cape Henlopen High School.
Coast Guard veteran Sherri Brown stands during the playing of the military medley.
With his Civil Air Patrol cadets looking on, Air Force veteran Robert Turner stands to be recognized.
VFW Post 7447 Chaplain Dawn Drzewicki gives the invocation and the benediction.
Teri Zakutny finds a good spot to place her poppy.

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Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.

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