Georgetown celebrates Memorial Day on The Circle

Georgetown’s annual Memorial Day service May 26 was sponsored by Georgetown Kiwanis Club and the Korean War Veterans Association.

The keynote speech titled “Hometown Heroes” was given by Georgetown native and retired Army National Guard Lt. Col. Ken Jones. He has deep roots in the military, with his father, Cap Jones, and his father-in-law both serving during World War II, and his brother, Frank, was killed in action in Vietnam. His father was also Sussex County sheriff for 10 years.

Ken served on active duty for more than five years, and 15 years in the National Guard.

His father and brother are buried in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C. Frank, a Georgetown High School graduate and standout wrestler, was killed in action in Vietnam in June 1968 while piloting a Huey helicopter. Ken also was a graduate of flight school like his brother, who he said was always his hero. The family had seven children born in six different states.

Cap was assigned to the USS Arizona in Hawaii, but before the attack on Pearl Harbor, he was sent to Washington, D.C., for training. “He lost 1,177 of his shipmates,” Jones said.

His father was also on the ill-fated USS New Orleans when a Japanese torpedo hit the ship’s powder magazine and blew off most of the starboard section of the ship. “He was up on deck smoking, or he would have died below decks,” Jones said.

“For Gold Star families, every day is Memorial Day,” he added.

Taking part in the event were emcee Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown; Korean War veteran Walter Koopman; Army veteran and chaplain Robert Longo; Boy Scout Troop 95; singer Cathy Gorman; Cape Henlopen High School JROTC; Delaware National Guard, 198th Signal Battalion; and Harbor Defenses of the Delaware Living History Association at Fort Miles.

Memorial wreaths were placed by veterans groups and service organizations in tribute to those who have died protecting the country’s freedoms.