The Leader & State Register
SEAFORD — A hometown salute with family ties punctuated Tuesday’s Veterans Day ceremonies at Kiwanis Park in Seaford.
"To our veterans, we honor you today with the only way we know how — a simple but truly sincere ‘thank you.’
Those were among the words from guest speaker U.S. Army Col. Lee Merritt, a Seaford native who has served in Iraq during more than two decades of military service.
Several hundred people attended the annual event, which featured special salutes to military veterans in attendance spanning current conflicts to World War II – and Carol James, a Gold Star Mother whose son U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Richard James died in combat in Iraq in May of 2006.
"When a soldier falls in combat, the family suffers the most," said Col. Merritt. "This day is designated to honor our veterans and it is only right that we honor their families as well, especially those who have served during times of war."
Bob Glensky, a U.S. Navy veteran from Seaford who served during peaceful times between the Korean and Vietnam wars, swelled with emotion as he spoke about the true meaning of Veterans Day and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
"What it really means today is that it’s a day that I can pray for all of the boys that died. I hope this country will remember — and not just talk about it — but remember," Mr. Glensky said.
Col. Merritt, presently stationed stateside at Fort Riley in Kansas, recognized the hometown support his unit in Iraq received from generous, patriotic citizens of Seaford and surrounding area.
"I am proud to say I grew up in Seaford. It is towns like Seaford that really reflect the values of America," Col. Merritt said. "People here are hard-working, patriotic and respect the sacrifices that many of our veterans have made."
Army Lt. Pete Bohn, who served as master of ceremonies, reminded everyone in attendance that Veterans Day is "dedicated to honoring each and every veteran who has fought to protect American in a time of war and a time of peace. It offers a time to reflect and remember those who have sacrificed so much for the betterment of the United States of America and the world.
"Every generation of Americans undoubtedly owes a debt of gratitude to those patriots of the past and present who have set aside their personal pursuits and answered the call of duty," Lt. Bohn said. "All that we have and enjoy today as free people living in the greatest nation on earth is because of the 50 million fellow Americans who have or continue to serve in our U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard.
Lt. Bohn added that it "is imperative that on this day we take the opportunity to keep alive the memories, sacrifices and accomplishments of our nation’s veterans, but also make use of it to seize the moment and embrace the occasion and use it to educate future generations and elected officials as to the accomplishments, the importance and needs of our nation’s veterans."
Veterans Days festivities in Seaford are sponsored annually by the Seaford Veterans Committee comprised of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4961, American Legion Post 6, American Legion Post 37, AMVETS 1694, Marine Corps League Detachment 780 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 9.
In a brief address, 39th District Rep. Daniel B. Short, R-Seaford, shared the meaning of ‘veteran’ he received in an email from Danna Palmer, another Gold Star Mother from Seaford whose son, Marine Cpl. Cory Palmer died from injuries sustained in Iraq in May 2006.
It stated a veteran is someone who "wrote a blank check payable for an amount up and including his or her life. I believe that says it all," Rep. Short said.
