Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary celebrates local heroes
American pride was on full display at Irish Eyes Aug. 14 as the Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club honored over 20 local heroes who helped the club raise more than $35,000 with Rotary's Flags For Heroes event. Net proceeds from this community event held over the two weeks surrounding Memorial Day are donated to Lewes-area charities.
Jim and Lynda Wachter, representing Schell Brothers, said, "We love Flags For Heroes. It gives Schell Brothers the chance to honor our flag, honor America and honor our heroes. Schell's customers love it too."
With nearly 70 people attending, President Parker Livingston welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. After dinner, Jim Ruth, Bruce Summer and Dave Keller presented Medallion Awards to fellow Rotarians Richard Jundt, Bill Peterson and Larry Fifer for selling flag sponsorships totaling $10,000. Jundt was singled out for his effort selling 20 percent of all individual sponsorships. Keller and Summer also received Medallion Awards.
The star of the evening, though, was 93-year-old Long Neck resident Tom Creekmore, who attended with his friend Rita Cleary D'Ascenzo. Creekmore, wearing his World War II uniform replete with medals, was a radio operator on a B-17 bomber. Flying 19 combat missions, he and his crew also helped liberate more than 700 American POWs after Germany surrendered.
The Spirit of Rotary Award was presented to local Realtor and Rotarian Nitan Soni, who displayed an exceptional Service Above Self attitude in chairing the opening ceremony for FFH. Included in the opening ceremony were five special flag presentations. At the dinner, each of the flag presenters was given the medallion that hung from their flag.
Bonnie and Wayne Butler's medallion honored their nephew, Army Ranger Alessandro Sandrino Plutino and all other Americans killed in action, while the one presented to Rich Asbell honored all veterans and active-duty service personnel. State Trooper Rickey Hargis received a medallion in memory of Cpl. Stephen Ballard, who was killed in the line of duty in April 2017, as well as the Lewes police and all officers who serve and protect. Lewes firefighter Sean McClanahan's medallion honored his brother Tim, who was killed in the line of duty last year, on behalf of all firefighters who serve and protect. Chris Rightsell, representing all Purple Heart recipients, was unable to attend the dinner.
Summer and Keller then presented individual awards to corporate and foundation sponsors. From the legal and financial services professions were Lewes attorney Larry Fifer, Ray Book of Book and Associates CPAs, and Corinne Kaseta from Key Advisors Group. Unable to attend were Wade Thompson of Edward Jones and Gary Melnick of Melnick Rosenbaum Wealth Management.
The real estate field was ably represented by Jim and Lynda Wachter for Schell Brothers. Chris and Julie Hudson of Hudson Management, and Rotarian Andrew Ratner of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services-Gallo Realty were unable to attend.
Creative Concepts' Thom Lockhart and Lisa Morton were on hand to receive an award in the retail and senior services sector along with Timarie Thompson of Delaware Beach Storage, Ron Simmons and Karen Truitt from Patio Systems, Scott Porman from Rudy Marine, Lester Guyer from i.g. Burton, and Barbara White representing Cadbury Senior Lifestyles. Those unable to attend included Mike and Danni Anthenelli of Waves Car Wash, Tammy Thomas and Ron Scrutchfield of the Light House of Lewes, Dave Vitella from Surf Bagel, Randy Best and Carolyn Timmons from Best Ace Hardware, Joe Johnson of Shore Electric, Pat Davison of Delaware Propane, the Pennsylvania Merchant 1733 fund and the whole gang at Wawa.
In only five years, the Flags For Heroes program has raised over $135,000 for local charities, helping to fulfill Rotary's mission to help make the greater Lewes community a better place to live, work, go to school and raise a family through service and fundraising projects. The club meets every Monday evening at 5:15 for a dinner at Irish Eyes in Lewes. Community-spirited individuals are invited to attend.
