American Legion Post 17 holds Veterans Day ceremony
American Legion Post 17 in Lewes honored veterans from all branches of the military at its annual ceremony Nov. 11.
The Veterans Day tribute gave the legion a chance to say thank you to the men and women who served the country in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.
“We’ve all been influenced by someone in the military or we wouldn’t be here today,” said Kelly Bergen, president of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 17. “Each of us carries a connection that has guided us to be part of the American Legion family.”
Kevin Molloy, who is an Army veteran, was honored as Legionnaire of the Year for his “dedication and quiet tenacity.”
“Kevin has become a lifeline for our veterans navigating the maze of benefits, listening and compassion, and fighting for what’s right,” said Michael Mulligan, Post 17 commander.
Mulligan said Molloy has counseled more than 300 veterans and has filed more than 267 claims on their behalf.
“I spent 50 years in healthcare. I like what I do,” Molloy said.
Attendees also heard from John R. McGuire, a retired member of the CIA, who served as keynote speaker.
Khalil Saliba, Lewes deputy mayor, and Trina Brown-Hicks, Lewes councilwoman, presented Post 17 with a Veterans Day proclamation on behalf of the city.
Post 17 thanked the employees of Aloft Aero Architects in Georgetown for supporting the lunch for veterans after the ceremony.
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.
