Georgetown hosts Sussex Memorial Day ceremony

Veterans, political and service organizations honor fallen heroes with wreaths

Members of Chapter 8 American Legion Riders stand at attention during the Georgetown ceremony. The organization has yearly raffles to raise funds to support veterans in local nursing homes. RON MACARTHUR PHOTOS

Ron MacArthur

May 29, 2023

The Georgtown Kiwanis Club and Korean War Veterans Association sponsored the annual Sussex County Memorial Day Ceremony on The Circle May 28 in front of the Sussex County Courthouse.

Guest speaker U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. First Class Justin Downen talked about the importance of living lives that honor America’s fallen heroes. As a member of the Third Special Forces Group, he served three tours in Iraq from 2007-09. He said most of his friends were wounded, but all recovered and returned to active duty. He also helped train members of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Force. In 2011, he left active duty and joined the police. Almost immediately, he said, he saw a need to help children. “It’s easier to build strong children than it is to fix broken adults,” he said.

He founded the Green Beret Project to reach out to children in each of Delaware’s three counties.

Also taking part in the ceremony were Rep. Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown, emcee; Sussex Central High School JROTC; Georgetown Mayor Bill West; Deacon Peter Cornell of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Georgetown; singer Cathy Gorman; 198th Army National Guard Signal Battalion in Georgetown; Sussex Central band director Ben Ables and student Kylie Youse.

The highlight of the ceremony was the laying of wreaths by Boy Scout Troop 95 presented by Georgetown-area veterans and community organization.

A large crowd rises and salutes the flag during the presentation of the colors at the May 28 Sussex County Memorial Day ceremony on The Circle in downtown Georgetown.

Korean War veteran Walter Koopman leads the Sussex Central High School Army JROTC color guard to the ceremony.

Sussex Central High School Army JROTC members march in formation after presenting the U.S. and Delaware flags.

Veteran Walt Koopman, an active member of Chapter 1 of the Delaware Korean War Veterans Association, bows his head in prayer during the invocation.

Deacon Peter Cornell of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Georgetown offers the invocation.

Georgetown Mayor Bill West says the word of the day is remembrance of U.S. veterans, especially for those who didn’t come home.

A crowd gathers around The Circle among the Rotary’s Flags for Heroes to honor fallen service members.

Cathy Gorman, a well-known Georgetown performer, sings the national anthem.

Guest speaker U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. First Class Justin Downen talks about living lives that honor America’s fallen. As a member of the Third Special Forces Group, he served three tours in Iraq.

Each year, members of Boy Scout Troop 95 assist with the wreath-laying ceremony at the Georgetown Memorial Day ceremony.

Members of area Republican women’s clubs are helped by Boy Scouts from Troop 95 as they lay wreaths in memory of fallen heroes.

Boy Scout Troop 95 members stand at attention as they provide watch over the numerous wreaths provided by veterans and community organizations.

The rifle team from the National Guard 198th Signal Battalion in Georgetown prepares to fire a salute.

Sussex Central High School band director Ben Ables, along with Kylie Youse (not pictured), plays “Taps” amid the U.S. flags on the Circle.

The Sussex Central High School Army JROTC leaves the Sussex County ceremony around The Circle in Georgetown.

Georgetown hosts Sussex Memorial Day ceremony

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