Memorial Day services set for Delmarva

Memorial Day observances in Delaware and Maryland include the following:

CENTRAL DELAWARE

Kent County WWII Heroes Tour

DOVER — Learn about the lives of local World War II and Korean War service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country on a self-guided tour at Lakeside Cemetery on North State Street on Monday.

There will be information available showcasing more than 80 local World War II and Korean War veterans from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Guided tours will be given at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., and begin under the flagpole. This is a free program.

Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Day service

DOVER — Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 850 will be holding its Memorial Day ceremony Monday at 2 p.m. in Kent County Levy Court meeting room, 555 South Bay Road, Dover.

The keynote speaker is Lt. Col. Crystal A. Glaster, deputy commander of Air Force Mortuary Affairs operations at Dover Air Force Base. Her agency is responsible for all Air Force mortuary matters for current and past conflicts.

Other speakers at the ceremony will include Dover Mayor Robin R. Christiansen, Chapter 850 president Joe Startt Jr. and Vietnam Veterans of America Delaware State Council president Paul Davis.

The ceremony will be emceed by chapter member Dave Skocik, who is also the president of the Delaware Veterans Coalition.

Smyrna Clayton Memorial Day
Parade, Memorial Ceremony

SMYRNA — The Smyrna Clayton Memorial Day Parade and Memorial Ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday.

Participants will line up on Market Street Plaza, with fire equipment staging near the Smyrna firehouse. The parade will turn right onto Commerce Street off Market Street, then left onto Main Street, north across Glenwood Avenue and terminate at George C. Wright Municipal Park.

To donate to the memorial during the ceremony, email Josh Hall at joshuahall44@gmail.com or Tom Emerson at chc44101@comcast.net.

Middletown
Memorial Day Parade

MIDDLETOWN — The town’s annual Memorial Day Parade, sponsored by Stone Square Lodge 22, will be held Monday at 10 a.m.

It will step off at Louis L. Redding Middle School, 201 New St., and travel west on East Lake Street, north on North Catherine Street, west on East Main Street, north on South Broad Street and east on East Lake Street, ending at the middle school.

Milford Memorial
Day ceremony

MILFORD — A service commemorating Memorial Day is back for city residents and visitors to enjoy.

The return of the ceremony stemmed from a couple’s disappointment last year. In 2023, Dee Davis and her husband went to the Milford Senior Center, expecting a Memorial Day event that they had attended many years before.

When they got there, they were surprised to see the doors closed and an empty parking lot.

“We were shocked that there was no program,” Ms. Davis said. “I don’t know what happened, whether it was still from COVID or what, but we were surprised, and we were hopeful that it would be picked up by someone.

“When I heard our local state representative (Bryan Shupe) was asking for someone to take it on, I decided to do (so).”

The service she has organized will take place Monday at 10:30 a.m. in Milford High School’s Dr. Gerald W. Thompson Center for the Performing Arts. The large facility is accessible for everyone, Ms. Davis said.

The emcee will be Ed Huey, a retired Milford Police Department captain who served on his hometown force 37 years.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Mercedes McCoy Garrett will be the keynote speaker. She is a leader among the ranks of the 512th Airlift Wing in Dover and is a Yellow Ribbon wing representative.

Her service stretches 15 years, including five stateside deployments with Mortuary Affairs.

Volunteers at the ceremony will hand out poppies, a symbol for fallen military members. Plus, the Milford Community Band will perform, and there will be presentations recognizing prisoners of war, those missing in action and Gold Star families.

The free program is open to the public. Milford High School is at 1019 N. Walnut St.

SUSSEX COUNTY

Sussex County Memorial
Day celebration

GEORGETOWN — Memorial Day will be observed today on The Circle, with a service beginning at 1:30 p.m.

It is sponsored by the Georgetown Kiwanis Club and the Korean War Veterans Association.

The keynote speech, “Hometown Heroes,” will be delivered by retired U.S. Army National Guard Lt. Col. Kenneth Jones, a Georgetown native and son of former Sussex County sheriff and Army retiree Cap Jones.

State Sen. Brian Pettyjohn will serve as master of ceremonies, while the invocation and benediction will be offered by Army veteran and Pastor Robert Longo of Georgetown.

Cathy Gorman of Georgetown will return to sing the national anthem and “America the Beautiful.”

Wreathes will be placed in tribute to those who died in World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam and the more recent conflicts. Assisting will be members of Boy Scouts Troop 95.

A rifle salute will be executed by members of the 198th Signal Battalion of the Delaware National Guard, stationed at the Georgetown Armory.

Taps and its echo will be performed by Sussex Central High School alumna Kylie Youse and Sussex Central senior Jake Darmstadter.

The program will last about 50 minutes, with seating provided, or attendees may bring chairs.

St. George’s Chapel
Memorial Day service

HARBESON — Historic St. George’s Chapel, 20271 Beaver Dam Road, will hold a Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. Monday.

It will include readings, prayers and music highlighting a patriotic theme.
The guest speaker is retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Henry “Buzz” Buse. The Rev. Shelley D. McDade will also make remarks.

The ceremony is open to all, and there is no charge.

St. George’s is handicapped-accessible, with parking in front of the chapel on Beaver Dam Road and in the parking lot across the street.

For information, email info@allsaintsandstgeorges.org or call 302-227-7202.

Millsboro American Legion
ceremony and patriotic art

MILLSBORO — American Legion Post 28 will hold its Memorial Day ceremony Monday at 11 a.m.

At the post, at Del. 24 and Legion Road, visitors can see a large, colorful portrayal of Old Glory painted on its grounds. The flag measures 26 feet by 50 feet.

SALISBURY, MARYLAND

Memorial Day ceremony
at Wicomico Civic Center

SALISBURY, Md. — Wicomico County’s Memorial Day Ceremony will be held Monday at 10 a.m.

It will take place at the Wicomico War Veterans’ Memorial, in front of the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, 500 Glen Ave. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held in the center’s Midway Room.

All are welcome to attend this free gathering, organized by members of the Wicomico County War Memorial Committee.

There will be a lowering of the colors by the Wicomico County Junior ROTC, a ringing of the Red Knights Memorial Bell, branch prayers and a volley of arms by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office.

Veterans and their families will be recognized during the ceremony, including a tribute to Gold Star mothers. Committee members will read the names of county residents who have fallen in the line of service.

To learn more about the memorial, visit wicomicociviccenter.org/about/war-memorial.