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Lewes pays tribute to fallen on Memorial Day

Wreath layings, parade mark traditional observance
Members of American Legion Post 17 lead the Lewes Memorial Day Parade over the drawbridge. The annual parade honors veterans from all conflicts. The parade ended at Post 17, where a traditional ceremony was held. BILL SHULL PHOTOS
Bill Shull
May 26, 2025

The City of Lewes was awash in red, white and blue for traditional Memorial Day ceremonies.

The day began with the laying of wreaths at Lewes Presbyterian Church on Kings Highway. The remembrance is hosted by the Col. David Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Col. David Hall, a Lewes native, fought in the Revolutionary War and went on to become Delaware’s 16th governor. He is buried in the church cemetery.

Wreaths were laid by the DAR Col. David Hall and Delaware Society chapters, Children of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution Delaware Society and national chapters.

“While we are honoring [Col. Hall’s] service, we are symbolically honoring the service of all men and women in the armed forces who answer the call to serve and protect this nation,” said Beth Bowersock, regent, Col. David Hall Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.

American Legion Post 17 kicked off its annual Memorial Day parade at 11 a.m. The parade started on Schley Avenue and made its way across the drawbridge to Post 17 on American Legion Road.

The O’Brien family of Lewes came decked out in red, white and blue. They said they come to the parade every year.

“It’s about teaching your kids tradition,” said Danielle O’Brien.

Post leaders were at the head of the parade, along with Lewes Mayor Amy Marasco, who rode in a Lewes police vehicle.

Veterans rode in Army jeeps and trucks; some rode in classic cars.

Girl Scouts from Troop 499 in Georgetown sold poppies to raise money for veterans and their families.

Post 17 held its traditional, solemn Memorial Day ceremony following the parade. The message was Honor the Fallen, Thank the Living.

This year’s guest speaker was Col. Laurie Spraga, who is currently serving as an Army field doctor. Spraga served three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. She said it is important to recognize veterans for their honor, duty, sacrifice and resiliency.

“As we move through the generations of war, we see the demographics of our service members change. We went from losing sons, brothers, uncles and fathers, to also losing daughters, sisters, aunts, mothers and grandmothers,” Spraga said.

She recognized what she called severely broken suicide rates among active duty, reserves and veterans.

“For those souls lost either on the battlefield across an ocean or the ongoing battlefield in their minds, we acknowledge their courage, selflessness and valor,” Spraga said.

Spraga and Michael Mulligan, Post 17 commander, later laid a wreath outside the post to honor all fallen service members.

Chief Master Sgt. Michael Bellerose said the second stage of the post’s veterans memorial is now complete.

The memorial, located in front of the building on American Legion Road, honors all fallen service members with commemorative bricks and benches.

 

Owen Murphy has a great seat for the parade along Savannah Road, his father Brian’s shoulders. Jan Allmaras, left, and Caitlin Murphy also watched the parade.
Veterans rode in classic Army jeeps and trucks.
Girl Scout Troop 499 of Georgetown makes its way across the Lewes drawbridge.
A photo that represents Lewes well: the Memorial Day Parade making its way down east Savannah Road, patriotic people honoring veterans and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry passing by Savannah Beach in the distance.
The O’Brien family from Lewes came dressed for the occasion. Shown are (l-r) Joe O’Brien, Shane O’Brien, Colin O’Brien, Madden O’Brien and Danielle O’Brien.
Kellie Bergen, American Legion Auxiliary Post 17 president, waves a flag as she makes her way to the post home.
Veterans ride in classic Army jeeps during the parade.
Some parade participants ride to Post 17 in classic cars, like this red Corvette.
Parade-watchers greet one of the passing military trucks carrying veterans to Post 17.
Caia Hocker from Girl Scout Troop 499 sells poppies to raise money for veterans and their families.
Some veterans come across the drawbridge by motorcycle.
Col. Laurie Spraga, U.S. Army, left, and Michael Mulligan, American Legion Post 17 commander, lay a wreath outside the post headquarters in remembrance of fallen service members.
An empty chair and table represent POWs and MIAs at the Post 17 Memorial Day ceremony. Each item on the table represents a symbol for those who are gone.
Matt Williams, Squadron 17 commander, addresses the Memorial Day ceremony.
Col. Laurie Spraga, an Army doctor and member of Post 17, was the guest speaker at this year’s Memorial Day ceremony.
Lewes Mayor Amy Marasco, left, talks with Col. Charles Covington (U.S. Army retired), a chaplain and Korean War veteran, before the ceremony.
Col. Charles Covington (U.S. Army retired) is the chaplain of the Lewes Lions Club.
Buddy the service dog attends the ceremony at Post 17.
People at the ceremony listen to veteran Lani Spahr play “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.
Post 17 leaders gather in front of their memorial at the post home headquarters on American Legion Road. The memorial has bricks dedicated to fallen service members. There are benches placed around it honoring all branches of the armed forces. Shown are (l-r) Michelle Williams, Post 17 historian; Kelly Bergan, Auxiliary Unit 17 president; Michael Mulligan, Post 17 commander; retired CMSgt. Michael Bellerose; Matt Williams, Squadron 17 commander; Doug Spellman, Squadron 17 adjutant; Dan Catts, Post 17 finance officer; Vernon Garris, Post 17 judge advocate; and Brandon Zeitler, Post 17 sergeant at arms.
Representatives of several organizations laid wreaths on the grave of Col. David Hall at Lewes Presbyterian Church. Shown are (l-r) Asher Foxwell; Harper Hudson; Annabelle Hudson; Barbara Seningen, regent, Delaware State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution; Beth Bowersock, regent, Col. David Hall Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution; Troy Foxwell, president, Delaware State Society, Sons of the American Revolution; and Allen Geenly, treasurer general of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Allen Greenly, treasurer general of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, lays a wreath on the grave of Col. David Hall. Greenly wears a traditional Revolutionary War-era uniform.
Barbara Seningen, regent, Delaware State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, lays a wreath at the grave of Col. David Hall.
Beth Bowersock, regent, Col. David Hall Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, addresses the ceremony attendees.
The grave of Col. David Hall is in the cemetery of Lewes Presbyterian Church. Hall was a Lewes native who fought in the American Revolution and later became Delaware governor.
The Cape Henlopen High School JROTC presents the colors at the wreath-laying ceremony.
Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, left, delivers remarks during the ceremony at Lewes Presbyterian Church. Beth Bowersock is on the right.
Beth Bowersock, regent, Col. David Hall Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, lays a wreath on behalf of her chapter.
Troy Foxwell, president, Delaware State Society, Sons of the American Revolution, lays a wreath on behalf of his chapter.

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Bill Shull has been covering Lewes for the Cape Gazette since 2023. He comes to the world of print journalism after 40 years in TV news. Bill has worked in his hometown of Philadelphia, as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He came to Lewes in 2014 to help launch WRDE-TV. Bill served as WRDE’s news director for more than eight years, working in Lewes and Milton. He is a 1986 graduate of Penn State University. Bill is an avid aviation and wildlife photographer, and a big Penn State football, Eagles, Phillies and PGA Tour golf fan. Bill, his wife Jill and their rescue cat, Lucky, live in Rehoboth Beach.

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