thedrifter
06-22-07, 07:09 AM
Markers salute fallen Marines
By Glenn Rolfe, The Leader & State Register
SEAFORD — This military mission was dedicated Saturday and completed earlier this week.
Prayers will last a lifetime — and memories of two U.S. Marines from Seaford who died a week apart in May 2006 from injuries sustained in Iraq will last forever.
Local, county and state officials joined families of Cpl. Cory Palmer and Lance Cpl. Richard James in the street marker dedications Saturday at Harley-Davidson of Seaford, site of a wave of patriotism and a program that featured a touring stop supporting for veterans and the starting point of a motorcycle ride supporting communication links for troops and their families.
“We are here to remember and we are here to honor two fallen Marines … and certainly their families,” said 39th District state Rep. Daniel B. Short. “This is an appropriate setting for what we are about to do today. It’s called ‘Completing the Mission.’”
The markers, which feature the names of the Marines, the street where they grew up, Marine Corps emblem, will include their unit insignia. Markers were to be installed this week on Phillips Street, where Cp. Palmer grew, and Hurley Park Drive, the Seaford home of Lance Cpl. James, by the city public works staff.
“The signs will be placed in an area that is very significant, the area where these two young men grew up, played, left for school, came home from school, and traveled past,” said Rep. Short.
“The signs really are there so as you and I drive by we can say a little prayer for the families,” said Seaford Mayor Edward H. Butler. “The families, I want you to know the mayor and council are thinking of you, the citizens of Seaford are thinking of you and that you are in our prayers daily.”
“We really appreciate having a sign on our street remembering Cory,” said Charles Palmer, father of Cpl. Palmer.
Added Lance Cpl. James’ father, Kenneth “Jake” James, “I’m sure Rick really wouldn’t want the attention. But that sign is there for all of us to remember Rick. So when you see that sign, give a little salute for Rick and all of the other Marines and Cory as well.”
Several years ago, a street sign marker honoring U.S. Army Ranger Spc. Ryan Long of Seaford, killed in Iraq in April 2003, was dedicated through an effort spurred by now retired 39th District Rep. Tina Fallon, among the local, county and state dignitaries who attended Saturday’s event.
The marker for Spc. Long is on Pit Road off Old Meadow Road just east of the city of Seaford.
The dedication ceremony preceded Seaford Harley-Davidson’s third bi-annual Troop Ride.
Behind motorcycle police escort provided by Seaford Police Department Cpl. Aaron Mitchell and Delaware State Police Cpl. Darhl Snyder of Troop 7 in Lewes, 248 registered riders left the Harley dealership on U.S. 13 in the ride to the Federalsburg (Md.) Veterans of Foreign Wars for a bike show. All proceeds support Operation Uplink, which provides calling cards linking U.S. troops overseas with families in America.
Also on hand Saturday was the Harley’s Heroes Tour featuring the Disabled American Veterans mobile service unit that provides free counseling and referrals for veterans. The Seaford Harley-Davidson dealership is one of more than 150 stops on the Harley’s Heroes Tour, supported by a $1 million grant from Harley-Davidson Foundation.
“The city of Seaford is not short on signs,” said Rep. Short. “We have a couple signs, one north of Seaford, one south of Seaford and one west, and they say this, ‘If you enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, thank a veteran. And there can’t be anything said other than that to be the ultimate truth today.”
News Editor Glenn Rolfe can be reached at 629-5505 or grolfe@newszap.com.
Ellie
By Glenn Rolfe, The Leader & State Register
SEAFORD — This military mission was dedicated Saturday and completed earlier this week.
Prayers will last a lifetime — and memories of two U.S. Marines from Seaford who died a week apart in May 2006 from injuries sustained in Iraq will last forever.
Local, county and state officials joined families of Cpl. Cory Palmer and Lance Cpl. Richard James in the street marker dedications Saturday at Harley-Davidson of Seaford, site of a wave of patriotism and a program that featured a touring stop supporting for veterans and the starting point of a motorcycle ride supporting communication links for troops and their families.
“We are here to remember and we are here to honor two fallen Marines … and certainly their families,” said 39th District state Rep. Daniel B. Short. “This is an appropriate setting for what we are about to do today. It’s called ‘Completing the Mission.’”
The markers, which feature the names of the Marines, the street where they grew up, Marine Corps emblem, will include their unit insignia. Markers were to be installed this week on Phillips Street, where Cp. Palmer grew, and Hurley Park Drive, the Seaford home of Lance Cpl. James, by the city public works staff.
“The signs will be placed in an area that is very significant, the area where these two young men grew up, played, left for school, came home from school, and traveled past,” said Rep. Short.
“The signs really are there so as you and I drive by we can say a little prayer for the families,” said Seaford Mayor Edward H. Butler. “The families, I want you to know the mayor and council are thinking of you, the citizens of Seaford are thinking of you and that you are in our prayers daily.”
“We really appreciate having a sign on our street remembering Cory,” said Charles Palmer, father of Cpl. Palmer.
Added Lance Cpl. James’ father, Kenneth “Jake” James, “I’m sure Rick really wouldn’t want the attention. But that sign is there for all of us to remember Rick. So when you see that sign, give a little salute for Rick and all of the other Marines and Cory as well.”
Several years ago, a street sign marker honoring U.S. Army Ranger Spc. Ryan Long of Seaford, killed in Iraq in April 2003, was dedicated through an effort spurred by now retired 39th District Rep. Tina Fallon, among the local, county and state dignitaries who attended Saturday’s event.
The marker for Spc. Long is on Pit Road off Old Meadow Road just east of the city of Seaford.
The dedication ceremony preceded Seaford Harley-Davidson’s third bi-annual Troop Ride.
Behind motorcycle police escort provided by Seaford Police Department Cpl. Aaron Mitchell and Delaware State Police Cpl. Darhl Snyder of Troop 7 in Lewes, 248 registered riders left the Harley dealership on U.S. 13 in the ride to the Federalsburg (Md.) Veterans of Foreign Wars for a bike show. All proceeds support Operation Uplink, which provides calling cards linking U.S. troops overseas with families in America.
Also on hand Saturday was the Harley’s Heroes Tour featuring the Disabled American Veterans mobile service unit that provides free counseling and referrals for veterans. The Seaford Harley-Davidson dealership is one of more than 150 stops on the Harley’s Heroes Tour, supported by a $1 million grant from Harley-Davidson Foundation.
“The city of Seaford is not short on signs,” said Rep. Short. “We have a couple signs, one north of Seaford, one south of Seaford and one west, and they say this, ‘If you enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, thank a veteran. And there can’t be anything said other than that to be the ultimate truth today.”
News Editor Glenn Rolfe can be reached at 629-5505 or grolfe@newszap.com.
Ellie