Representing the Air Force Sergeants Association, Steve Dirksen of Dover, right, and Bill McMullen of Camden salute after placing one of the many wreaths at the base of the American flag Monday morning.
Sen. Brian Bushweller (D-Dover) read a quote by a European rock-n-roll musician stating "America is one of the best ideas in all of human history".
Dover city councilman and former Mayor James Hutchison, left, pauses with current Mayor Robin Christiansen after placing a wreath at the base of the American flag on The Triangle.
Wearing star-spangled shirts, from left, Susan Rinaldi of Magnolia, Connie Reichardt of Dover and Linda Synden of Magnolia have a chat before the service.
Buffalo Soldiers motorcycle club president Jeff Matthews, right, and vice-president Bill Spady, both of Dover, walk past a line of wreaths as they prepare to place theirs at the WWII memorial on The Triangle.
Delaware Vets Post 2, Inc.'s Ben Hardesty, left, and Ken Shouldis, both of Dover, salute their fallen comrades.
A large crowd gathered at the corner of Loockerman Street and State Street for the Memorial Day service sponsored by American Legion Walter L. Fox Post 2 in Dover.
Nancy Simpson of Harrington took photos Monday dressed head-to-toe in red, white and blue.
People attending the Memorial Day service at The Triangle bow their heads in respect for Delaware's deceased vets.
DAFB Honor Guard members post the colors during Monday's Memorial Day service at The Triangle.
VFW 3238 member Eric Czerwinski of Dover salutes the fallen heroes of Delaware's military personnel after placing a wreath at the base of the WWII memorial in The Triangle in Dover Monday during as part of the American Legion Walter L. Fox Post 2 Memorial Day service.
Past president of the Delaware Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Jack C. Lewis of Leipsic salutes the American flag as he honors the memory of those who sacrificed all to secure the freedom of the American people during Monday’s Memorial Day service at The Triangle.
American Legion Fox Post 2 member Ken Roberts of Magnolia plays "Taps" on his bugle to conclude the ceremony.
With the American flag at half staff at The Triangle surrounded by miniature flags and crosses.
Dover Air Force Base honor guard members give Delaware's fallen soldiers a 21-gun salute on State Street Monday.
Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen recites the pledge of allegiance with his hand over his heart during the Memorial Day service at The Triangle Monday morning.
Dover Air Force Base chaplain Capt. Rory Pitstick looks to the heavens as he gives the invocation.
U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Isaiah Martin of Dover Air Force Base, right, salutes America with his fellow airmen during the ceremony.
Vietnam veteran U.S. Sen. Thomas R. Carper (D-Del) smiles before leading the crowd in a recitation of the Preamble to the the U.S. Constitution.
James E. Cole, commander of American Legion Walter L. Fox Post 2, reads the names of Delaware's deceased veterans with the U.S. flag at half staff.
DOVER — People gathered Monday on the sidewalks around the triangle in downtown Dover, where Kings Highway, South State and Loockerman streets meet.
Many sat on folding chairs, fanning themselves in the heat. There were World War II veterans as well as small children with their families.
They all fell silent, though, when the names were read — the roll of fallen Dover area residents.
Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., was the guest speaker at the Memorial Day event in downtown Dover.
During his remarks, he lead the group in reciting the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution.
Those words, he added, were read just down the street, at the Golden Fleece Tavern in December 1787.
“They said ‘We like this’…and Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution,” he said.
“…I think it turned out pretty well, what do you think?
“These words of the Constitution are words, written on a sheet of paper,” Sen. Carper said in closing.
“You know what it’s taken over the years, is men and women willing to risk their lives — so that we can have a day like this where we can go to the beach, we can have a barbecue, we can go to the swimming pool … I just want to say to all of you, thanks for taking a few minutes in the morning.”
The brief ceremony, which started at 11 a.m., has been celebrated at the triangle for more than 50 years.
After James Cole, the commander of the American Legion Walter L. Fox Post 2, and Dave Curnock, the commander of the Delaware Veterans Post 2, read the names, wreaths from various groups were set around the triangle.
The honor guard at Dover Air Force Base performed a 21-gun salute and “Taps” was played — all rose solemnly once more as the flag was hoisted from half-mast.
