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Milford ceremony honors Delaware's fallen

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  
Army Spc. Ryan Long
Army Sgt. Jarrett Thompson
Army Staff Sgt. Josphen Garyants
Marine Cpl. Richard Clifton
Army Cpl. Stephen McGowan
Marine Lance Cpl. Russell White
Marine Lance Cpl. Anthony Roberts
Marine Sgt. Brian McGinnis
Army Capt. Ralph Harting
Army Sgt. 1st Class James Moudy
Marine Cpl. Cory Palmer
Army Pfc. Stephen Snowberger
Marine Lance Cpl. Richard James
Army Sgt. Keith Fiscus
Senior Airman Elizabeth Loncki

"They were Soldiers, our friends and our comrades," said Gov. Ruth Ann Minner of the 15 fallen Delaware heroes in a Memorial Day ceremony in Milford Monday.

In addition to commemorating the heroes, who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the ceremony also served to unveil and dedicate Milford's new Iraq and Afghanistan War Memorial.

After the opening remarks and prayer, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps members from Delaware's Polytech High School and Sussex Technical High School presented the colors. The JROTC units also passed out flowers to veterans in attendance and to the Gold-Star Mothers, Joan Muffler, Dorothy Stubbs and Terry Clifton, mothers of servicemembers killed in recent actions.

The Milford Community Band played background music as Milford resident Amy Halloway sang the national anthem. Later Joseph Ronnie Rogers, Milford's Mayor, gave the welcoming address.

"Our military has always given and never asked for anything in return," said the mayor, who stated he was truly honored to participate in the historic event.

According to some, the most breathtaking moment in the ceremony was when Mrs. Halloway sang "God Bless the USA." It drew a passionate response from the crowd as many waived miniature American flags above their heads and sang along with her.
Some, like Gary Long, Delaware State Firemarshall's Office, said they closed their eyes or wept as the words of the song coupled with the passionate Memorial Day event caused their emotions to overflow.

Col. Chad Manske, 436th Airlift Wing vice commander, who represented Dover Air Force Base at the event, also spoke during the ceremony.

"Today, we honor all of the brave men and women of our armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the freedom we hold so dear," said Colonel Manske. "More than 3,000 young men and women have given their lives in the cause for freedom, and we add their names, with great sorrow, to the stacks of ledgers that record the names of every lost Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine.

These courageous individuals stood toe to toe with America's adversaries, continued the colonel. They offered themselves as shields for America to keep war from reaching its front door.

"Every loss is a loss to our nation, a loss to our military, and, most importantly, a loss to the families that grieve," he said. "As we gather to honor the memories of the fallen, a piece of us struggles to understand the meaning of such sacrifice and loss. But, when we look up and see our flag, our banner of freedom, soaring high; when we see our children playing innocently in the streets; practice the faith of our choice; when we head to the polls without threat of violence and take part in the democratic process; when we exercise any of the freedoms we possess, we are reminded of that meaning."