Share: 

Georgetown hosts Sussex County Memorial Day Service

Standing with the 1943 Ford jeep are reenactors (l-r) Scott Wallen, Richard Ames, John Kisser and Nick McCloskey. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
May 26, 2025

The Sussex County Memorial Day service was held on The Circle in Georgetown May 25, when attendees honored the veterans lost from World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Individual veteran organizations and service organizations presented wreaths to honor the deceased veterans. The presentation of the colors was by JROTC cadets from Sussex Tech and Sussex Central led in by Sgt. Maj. Walter Koopman, U.S. Army retired. 

Mayor Bill West welcomed the crowd before Cathy Gorman sang the national anthem. Rep. Valerie Jones Giltner, R-Georgetown, served as emcee for the event.

The keynote speech was given by Brig. Gen. Karen Barry, U.S. Army National Guard retired. Boy Scout Troop 95 of Georgetown assisted in the presentation of the wreaths. 

A rifle salute was given by the 198th Signal Battalion of the Delaware Army National Guard, and taps was played by Denisse Mata and echoed by Ben Ables of Sussex Central High School.

 

Georgetown Historical Society’s Rosalie Walls presents her wreath with the help of scouts from Troop 95 in Georgetown. Shown are (l-r) William Monaghan, Nate Zeigler, Caleb Anderson, Garrett Briggs, Logan Keenan, Parker Mitchell and Alex Ezell.
Georgetown Mayor Bill West welcomes the crowd to the celebration.
Pastor Tim Freidel gives the invocation.
The scouts from Georgetown Troop 95 salute the flag during the national anthem. Shown are (l-r) Logan Keenan, Caleb Anderson, Nate Zeigler, Parker Mitchell, William Monaghan, Alex Ezell, Garrett Briggs and leaders Josh Keenan and David Swain.
Local singer Cathy Gorman sang the national anthem and “God Bless America.”
Rep. Valerie Jones Giltner, R-Georgetown, serves emcee for the event.
The keynote speech was given by Brig. Gen. Karen Barry, U.S. Army National Guard retired, who remembered friends lost in the service to our country.
Mark Stayton of VFW 6483 salutes the presentation of the colors.
Veteran Eugene Hayes of VFW Post 7478 salutes the colors.
Sgt. Maj. Walter Koopman, U.S. Army retired, holds the wreath presented by the Korean War Veterans Association.
Kensleigh Mitchell, 8, shows off her patriotic colors as she awaits the start of the ceremony.
Diane George of the Delaware Devil Dogs Detachment 780 at Marine Corps League in Seaford salutes the flag during the presentation of the colors.
A rifle salute was given by the 198th Signal Battalion of the Delaware Army National Guard.
Sussex Tech and Sussex Central JROTC cadets are led in by Sgt. Maj. Walter Koopman, U.S. Army retired.
Taps was played by Denisse Mata and echoed by Ben Ables of Sussex Central High School.
Scout Parker Mitchell hangs a wreath at the event.

Most Popular

Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

Most Popular