Fallen veterans remembered during Memorial Day ceremony in Seaford

A flyover welcomed the many who gathered for the 2025 Seaford Memorial Day ceremony held in Kiwanis Park in front of the Seaford Veterans Memorial. The lawns were filled with veterans and thankful supporters who came together to remember the men and women who gave their lives for our country. 

The ceremony, organized by the Seaford Veterans Committee, was led by Charles Michel who welcomed the hundreds in attendance and spoke on the importance of Memorial Day.

“It is a day of quiet prayer in thanks to our fallen heroes; a time of remembrance shared by our entire nation,” Michel added.“We are gathered today to pay tribute to those Seaford veterans who sacrificed their lives so that all of us living today can enjoy the freedoms laid out by the Constitution and Bill of Rights.”

Memorial Day guest speaker Michael Vincent spoke about the valor and honor of our fallen heroes who have lost their lives for our freedom

Michel welcomed Carol James, Gold Star mother, and the family of Lance Corporal Rick James, and thanked all Gold Star mothers and families. “These families once had a blue star banner hanging in their windows and now have a banner whose stars have turned to gold by the death of their sons who made the supreme ultimate sacrifice for their country during a time of war,” he said.

Seaford High School NJROTC presented the colors with the United States flag soaring above provided by the Seaford Fire Department. American Legion Post 6 Chaplain Cliff Moore gave the opening invocation.

Senator Bryant Richardson spoke of history and the U.S. casualties that are buried on foreign soil. “Whether on foreign lands or hometowns throughout our nation, burial sites of our heroes are places to be preserved and respected,” said Richardson. “My belief is that those who have lost their lives are in the presence of our creator. God honors those who are willing to lay down their lives for others.”

Rep. Danny Short shared a reading sent to him about Memorial Day with a message of picnics and gatherings paid on the debt of others. Short said, “Today is to honor those who paid for life with their blood; whose moms never saw them again, whose dads wept in private, whose wives raised their kids alone, and whose kids only remember them from pictures.” Short also thanked Dan Dobson, Captain USAF Retired, for the pre-ceremony fly-over organized by Mike Vincent.

City of Seaford council present were Orlando Holland, Stephanie Grassett, and Alan Quillen along with Police Chief Marshall Craft and City Manager Charles Anderson. Vice Mayor Dan Henderson said, “I am overcome with gratitude for the people on this wall who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.” Henderson said that many have personal connections with the names on the memorial, “They have laid it all down for us and we are extremely grateful.”

The guest speaker this year was Michael Vincent, a Seaford graduate and former president and lifetime member of the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department. Vincent served on the city council and county council. Vincent who served in Delaware National Guard from 1966-1973 said, “On this Memorial Day let us pause and reflect on the valor of our great service members who paid the ultimate price to defend our country and ideals we hold dear.” 

Vincent spoke of a key value of sacrifice, “Our fallen heroes gave their lives for a cause greater than themselves. They put their duty to country and fellow citizens above their own personal interests and desires.” Vincent added another value of courage, “Our fallen heroes demonstrated incredible courage and bravery in the face of danger and adversity.” 

Vincent said of their patriotism, “Our fallen heroes loved their country deeply and were willing to give everything to protect it.” Vincent then spoke on the many ways families, friends, and veterans have turned tragedy and grief into a source of inspiration through charities, mentoring of youth, advocacy, and making a positive impact on communities. Vincent said Memorial Day honors the brave and can inspire the living and said to honor them by living life with honor and purpose.

Representatives of Veterans organizations made the presentation to the poppy wreath to pay tribute to fallen heroes followed by a rifle salute, playing of Taps, and the National Anthem. Seaford’s fallen heroes are: World War I: Thomas Penington, Lewis Taylor, Frank Quails, Kemp Wright, and Albert Waller. World War II: Carlton Massey, Harold McWilliams, Jr., George Johnson, Alfred Lankford, Ronald Lloyd, John Prettyman, Charles Taylor, Virgil Wilson, Dallas Bowden, John Collins, Lawrence Dickerson, Paul Foskey, Preston Hastings, III, Fred Prattis, Jerome Bennett, Walter Turner, Harry Hill, Albert Tull, Richard Branch, and Charles Faulkner; Korea: Vernon DeShields, Charles Wright, and Irvin Tindall; Vietnam: James Miller, Richard Hill, Richard Dennison, James Messick, and James Henry, Jr. Beirut: Michael Hastings; Iraq: Ryan Long, Cory Palmer, and Rick James.

The names of Seaford’s fallen heroes were read aloud as veterans and those in active duty were invited to come forward and be recognized. Michel said, “It is our duty on Memorial Day to remember the veterans who gave their all and to pass this tradition and history on to the next generation so that the fallen will always be remembered.”