The city of Seaford celebrated veterans during the annual Veterans Day Ceremony held at Kiwanis Park on Monday. Seaford High School Navy JRROTC provided a Color Guard and Rifle Squad with the United States flag, provided by the Seaford Fire Department, canvasing the sky.
Those in attendance included local dignitaries, veterans, and Gold Star mothers and family members. Amore Rice led the ceremony and spoke of Gold Star mothers and family, reminding the crowd the families once had a blue star banner but turned gold because of the death of their sons: Richard K. Hill, Richard S. Dennison, James A. Messick, Michael Hastings, Ryan P. Long, Cory L. Palmer, and Rick Z. James.
Representative Danny Short speaks of the improvements made to the Memorial in Kiwanis Park at the Veterans Day Ceremony. Shown are (left to right) City Manager Charles Anderson, Director of Economic Development Trisha Newcomer, Seaford Mayor Matt MacCoy, State Senator Bryant Richardson, Armore Rice, and County Council President Mike Vincent. Photo by Lynn Schofer
The opening blessing thanked God for the freedom and continued liberty of the country and encouraged those in attendance to honor our veterans every day. Senator Bryant Richardson in his words said, “Thank you to all who served in the armed forces to our nation. I feel so blessed to live in a community where the service and sacrifices of our military men and women and their families are honored.”
County President Mike Vincent also thanked all veterans for their service as well as the support to veterans by the people in attendance who did not serve in the armed forces.
Representative Danny Short thanked the local police and fire departments and spoke on the Kiwanis Park revitalization. Short said a Marine approached him and noted the flag poles in the park that were leaning and crooked telling Short, “Those things should be perpendicular to the ground, us Marines don’t tolerate that stuff.” Short heard the Marine and that led to a group that included Short, Senator Richardson, County President Vincent, Seaford Mayor Matt MacCoy, former mayor David Genshaw, Trisha Newcomer, and Charles Anderson. The group came together to redesign the area. The improvements include new electric installed by the city led by Director Bill Bennett, three new flag poles, POW flag, and a triangle symbolizing a folded American flag with gold stars. The perimeter is adorned with each armed forces medallion.
“I encouraged you to take a look at it and at night it is prominently lit up as it should be in recognition of all our veterans,” said Short.
The group then unveiled a story board for all to read and know the story.
Council members Dan Henderson, Stephanie Grassett, and Mayor MacCoy spoke. MacCoy said he looks to veterans as heroes, “We are so blessed to have so many in our community willing to make the sacrifice and service so that we may live here with the rights and liberties that we have.”
Blades Mayor Nancy McAdams said her husband is a veteran and her son-in-law currently serving. “I praise you with all my heart and thank you,” she told the veterans.
Also, in attendance were the Seaford Fire Department and the Seaford Police Department with Police Chief Marshall Craft, Deputy Chief Mike Rappa, and Deputy Chief Matt Read.
Guest speaker Sergeant Major Velda Scye said she was honored and thanked the men and women who paved the way for her. Sergeant Major Scye’s message was one of service, honor, humility, and pride as an Army National Guard veteran. SGM Scye grew up in Columbia near Delmar where her family and neighbors supported each other, worked hard, and encouraged them to do things to the best of their abilities.
SGM Scye’s family circle is a long line of veterans and she followed her cousin to the National Guard. As a junior in college SGM Scye began to reconsider her future and decided to enter the National Guard. She enlisted in 1977 and became a citizen soldier. SGM Scye trained in South Carolina and became part of the Women’s Army Corp and was pinned with the Pallas Athene (Goddess of War). SGM Scye then was sent to Georgia where she trained to be a telecommunication specialist where many of the National Guard leadership were men and many were Vietnam veterans. She described that she stood out as a young black female but she eventually connected with three women and aspired to be like them.
“Failure was not an option. Those veterans who were part of my leadership were part of an unfavorable war. They didn’t get that warm welcome when they came home but they never complained. From them I learned, you lead by example and they showed me how to soldier,” Scye said.
SGM Scye said she had to work hard, play hard, and take pride in her service and worked through defining moments that shaped her including 12 years as a Singaleer, accepting delayed officer school, 12 years at Georgetown headquarters, participation in Return of Forces to Germany (Reforger), training in Germany, and acceptance into Federal Officer Candidate School in Benning, Georgia, Benning School for Boys.
“A commission was not in my future so again I proudly returned to be the backbone of the army to be enlisted as a non-commissioned officer,” said Scye.
Her last assignment was in Smyrna and she received the diamond forged in steel for her lapel which was pinned to her by her mother, “It was the diamond that I worked and trained for and on that day, it was mine. Long before we became soldiers, we were in the army of the Lord and we promised Him that we would serve Him until we die. That’s the oath that we took.”
Retiring in 2008, “it was one of the toughest decisions of my life.” She told the crowd her last duty uniform hangs dressed and ready in her closet but she now volunteers in her church, community, or anywhere needed. She received the oath of enlistment on Veterans Day 2023 and spoke of the emotions, “Forty six years later, it had the same profound effect on me that it did when I was 21 years old. I am always a soldier first.”
Representatives of Veteran organizations made presentation to the poppy wreath to pay tribute to fallen heroes followed by the playing of Taps by Charles Michel, and the National Anthem. A medley of anthems for each branch of service was played and veterans stood to be recognized.
This year there were four memorial bricks added to the walkway for Gardner H. Jackson, Douglas C. Jackson, Karl Van Tine, and Carter Q. Moore. Applications for the memorial bricks are open to all Seaford area veterans who have honorably served in the armed forces of our country. Contact the Seaford Veterans Committee or city hall for more information.
Veterans from 1940 through present day came 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.