Lewes Yacht Club salutes veterans, fallen heroes
The Lewes Yacht Club held its annual Saluting Our Veterans ceremony May 29 in front of the club along Cedar Street in Lewes.
Keynote speaker David McBride of Lewes, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served for 40 years as a state senator, spoke about the meaning of Memorial Day and the importance of supporting veterans and active-duty military personnel. He also talked about a trip he and his wife, Margaret, took to France to visit the grave of his uncle Lawrence Roberts, a pilot who was shot down in 1918 during World War I. They also visited Normandy, and he said standing on Omaha Beach and looking up at the cliffs American soldiers had to climb made him think how many did not make it up.
“It really reminded me just how important Memorial Day is,” he said.
McBride also said numerous war memorials throughout Delaware help connect the past to the present. In addition, he said, during his time in elected office, the General Assembly passed several laws aimed at veterans and their families. “But, anything we do will never compare to each of the sacrifices our veterans made,” he said.
Other speakers included LYC Commodore Beth Copeland and LYC House Chair Janet Davis, who founded the event. Music was provided by Barry Eli and Ali Myers.
At the end of the ceremony, veterans of all services were honored with a champagne toast. The ceremony has become a part of opening events at the yacht club every Memorial Day weekend. The club is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2022.
