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Wreaths Across America returns to Rehoboth Beach

Second year for event put on by RB Homeowners Association, Main Street at Epworth Cemetery
Wreaths Across America returned Dec. 17 to Rehoboth Beach. With others looking for the graves of veterans, Fran Panchak takes a pause after laying a wreath. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Chris Flood
December 23, 2022

Story Location:
Epworth Cemetery
187 Henlopen Avenue
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
United States

The second annual Wreaths Across America event was held Dec. 17 at Epworth Cemetery in Rehoboth Beach.

It was spearheaded by Rehoboth Beach Main Street and the Rehoboth Beach Homeowners’ Association, and roughly 100 people participated in the ceremony recognizing veterans for their service.

On National Wreaths Across America Day, more than 2.4 million wreaths were placed in more than 3,100 cemeteries across the nation, including 250,000 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The event takes place each December to remember fallen veterans, honor those who serve and teach children the value of freedom. For more information on the program, go to wreathsacrossamerica.org.

With veteran Paul Lovett standing tall, veteran Bob Savage salutes a wreath hung in honor of Army veterans.
Ready to be placed, dozens of wreaths line the walkway.
Air Force veteran Richard Johnson, right, and Army veteran Wally Hudson salute during the national anthem.
Cape Henlopen JROTC members present the colors to begin the ceremony. Pictured are (l-r) Lucas Santini, Jazmine Ramos-Trejo, Abigail Schaeffer and Alonso Gonzalez-Roblero.
There are more than 150 veterans buried at Epworth Cemetery in Rehoboth, including this cluster of Coopers and Shockleys.
Rehoboth Beach employee and veteran Jean Lee hangs a wreath for U.S. Coast Guard members.
Dozens of people head out to lay wreaths on the gravestones of veterans.
Rehoboth Beach Homeowners’ Association Treasurer Steve Curson welcomes guests to the second annual event.
Rehoboth natives Joe and Hope Lavachia secure a wreath in place at the grave of Hope’s uncle Don Quint. The yellow flag in Hope’s hand indicates family. The Lavachias also laid wreaths at the graves of Joe’s uncle Cliff Wingate and Hope’s dad Joe Wilson.
American flags indicate veterans’ graves.
Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Rehoboth Beach, makes one of his first appearances as the area’s new senator.
Rehoboth Beach Mayor Stan Mills said the event honors the lives of veterans and their gifts to America.
Former Rehoboth Beach Commissioner Lisa Schlosser, an Army veteran, lets folks know what the plans are for laying wreaths.
Trumpeter Edward Tantiangco ends the ceremony by playing “Taps.”
Rehoboth Beach Police Chief Keith Banks lays a wreath on the grave of World War ll veteran John L. Brown. Brown was a past fire chief for Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company and a longtime City of Rehoboth Beach employee. LEONARD TYLECKI PHOTO

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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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