Photo By James Pernol | State Representative Earl Jaques, Jr., State Sen. Bruce Ennis are joined by honored...... read more read more
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DOVER, Del. - Veterans from conflicts ranging from World War II to Afghanistan and Gold Star Families braved the weather to dedicate a monument honoring Delawareans who served in the wars in the Middle East and Afghanistan on Saturday at Legislative Mall in Dover, Delaware. The new monument is located at the northeast corner of Legislative Hall, facing Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
‘The dedication will particularly honor our veterans during the era in which they served, unlike the belated recognition of Vietnam veterans,” said State Rep. Earl Jacques, Jr. Jacques is a retired veteran who served in Vietnam and as Brig. Gen. with the Delaware Air National Guard.
On hand for the dedication was the Governor of Delaware Jack Markell, who talked about his visit with the 1049th Transportation Company in Afghanistan. “I wanted to say thank you to all the organizers who had the vision and the determination to pull this monument off,’ said Markell. “I know this monument is for all of those who have served.”
Since 1991, 21 Delawareans have been killed in conflicts in the Middle East and Afghanistan. The keynote speaker for the dedication was U.S. Navy Capt. Robin Gibbs who served in Afghanistan. Gibbs serves in the Navy Reserve as a Nurse and is Dover High School graduate as well as graduate from the University of Delaware. She was deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 where she was a part of a 20-member combat medical support team.
“I served with many who have deployed as much as five times, and I couldn’t understand how they continue to do it, but now I do. Most importantly every moment out there is about the safety and the support of that Soldier and Sailor who is serving next to you in defense of the ideals of our country. They are our family away from home,” said Gibbs. “So your love ones sacrifice really did make a difference, and we honor that sacrifice today with the dedication of this memorial.”
The unveiling of the monument was followed up by a 21-gun salute by the Dover Air Force Base Honor Guard, with the 287th Army Band playing Military Service songs and the Delaware State Police Pipes and Drums playing “Amazing Grace” in memory of those Delawareans who didn’t make it home.
| Date Taken: | 11.07.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 11.08.2015 13:36 |
| Story ID: | 181320 |
| Location: | DOVER, DE, US |
| Web Views: | 64 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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