Seaford Veterans Day ceremony held in Seaford High School auditorium

The winds and low temperatures moved the Veterans Day ceremony from Kiwanis Park to Madden Auditorium at Seaford High School. The United States flag, provided by Seaford Fire Department, sailed high above welcoming all to join together in appreciation of our veterans.

The Seaford High School Navy JROTC provided the Color Guard and Rifle Squad, Charles Michel performed the playing of Taps, and Sarah Phippin sang the National Anthem.

Representatives of veterans organizations made presentations to the poppy wreath to pay tribute to fallen heroes. Armoire W. Rice led the ceremony and spoke of Gold Star mothers and family that once had a blue star banner but it turned gold because of the death of their sons. Rice spoke of the ultimate sacrifice to our country and the families that lived the loss.

Nanticoke Post 6 American Legion’s Angela Blunt and Post 37’s Rick Ames receive the poppy ribbons from Peter Bohn during the Veteran’s Day ceremony held in Seaford last Tuesday.

State Senator Bryant Richardson, a veteran himself, spoke of the 250 year anniversary of the beginning of battles that forged freedom and independence. Richardson noted that Delaware had the very first Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs when Retired Brigadier General Karen Berry was sworn into office on Oct. 1. The focus will be to build the Department of Veteran Affairs to ensure all veterans know their benefits and have access to services.

Representative Danny Short, also a veteran, said the new appointment of Berry will pay it back to the veterans by bringing to Delaware veterans what they are entitled. Short spoke of the local high school ROTC programs that include Woodbridge, Sussex Tech, and Seaford, wishing them well as they guide their futures. Short thanked all veterans for their service.

The Seaford mayor, vice-mayor, council members thanked veterans, including those of their own families and friends. Town of Blades Mayor Nancy McAdams expressed their daily pains and of ongoing medical care. “Please remember that your sacrifice was our blessing. We love this country,” she said.

The guest speaker was Post Commander, VFW Virgil Wilson Post 4961 and Retired Master Sergeant Thomas Phippin who joined the army at the age of 17 and shared that he continued on with a multi-generational service to our country. Phippin quoted his father and grandfather saying, “There is no greater service than to put your life on the line for your freedoms.”

Phippin spoke on the family sacrifice of the service men and women, “When you thank a veteran, you also need to thank that family.” He went on to share of the missed events of his children and said when they are sworn in to service, their family walks with them. In his closing, he shared that sometimes it is difficult to find words when someone thanks him for his service but shared that, “It was an honor and a privilege to be able to carry the man who came before me.”

Veterans from 1940 through present day were welcomed to come forward and were honored with the names read aloud of locals who lost their lives serving our country. Veterans Day is recognized on Nov. 11,  commemorating that on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918, fighting in WWI officially stopped after Germany signed an armistice agreement with the Allies earlier in the day. In 1926, Congress passed a resolution calling for an annual observance which then became a national holiday in 1938.

Each year, local veterans are honored in a ceremony held at Kiwanis Park in Seaford. Bricks of honor are added to the sidewalk of the newly renovated memorial park and applications are available through the city.