BEAR – The staff of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear were recognized Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for their outstanding service to the state’s veterans and their families.

Gov. John Carney joined the Bear team and the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs in accepting the Operational Excellence Award from Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Randy Reeves of the VA’s National Cemetery Administration. The award places the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery among the top five percent of state veterans’ cemeteries in the nation.

“The Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery truly is hallowed ground for those Delawareans who served their country in our armed forces, and for the loved ones who carry on the legacy of their deeds,” said Governor Carney. “I’ve always been extremely proud of the dedicated team that works every day to ensure that this resting place is maintained to the highest standards of excellence, and I congratulate them on earning the recognition they deserve.”

The VA established the Operational Excellence Award program for state and tribal cemeteries in May, 2018 to recognize outstanding service to veterans and their family members in all areas of operations. The Bear cemetery met or exceeded 82 of 90 applicable performance measures for a combined score of 91 percent in the areas of Interment Operations, Grounds Maintenance, and Headstone, Marker, and Niche Cover Operations.

“Cemeteries like the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear are a model of excellence, on par with some of the best national cemeteries in the country,” said Under Secretary Reeves. “The dedication to maintaining this cemetery as a shrine truly commemorates veterans’ service and sacrifice to our nation.”

In 2016, the VA awarded a $3.67 million expansion grant for the Bear cemetery, which provides a final resting place for 45,000 Delaware veterans and their eligible family members. The Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery is administered by the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs.

“The whole team at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear does outstanding work to honor the memory of our state’s veterans, and to support their families in their times of mourning,” said Larence Kirby, executive director of the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs. “Our mission is support those who served, and I can’t think of a better group of individuals who embody that goal.”

For more information on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration, contact Richelle Taylor, Public Affairs Specialist, at richelle.taylor@va.gov or call (202) 632-8011.

DOVER – The Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs welcomes veterans, their families and the public at large to join in two Memorial Day observances scheduled for the holiday weekend.

As in previous years, the Commission will host ceremonies on separate days at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear and at the foot of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, honoring those who lost their lives in the service of their nation.

What: DCVA Memorial Day Observances

Who: Gov. John Carney; Secretary of State Jeff Bullock; DCVA Commissioners; members of the Congressional Delegation; state legislators; local officials; Delaware veterans and their families

When/Where: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 27
Parade Field Grounds, Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery
2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear

When/Where: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 30
War Memorial Plaza, Delaware Memorial Bridge
163 Cherry Lane, New Castle

Contact: Larence Kirby, Executive Director
Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs
Department of State
larence.kirby@delaware.gov
302-739-2293

When/Where: Monday, May 25, 2015 @ 11:00 am. Memorial Day Service being held at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE 19701.

When/Where: Saturday, May 30, 2015 @ 10:30 am. Memorial Day Service will be conducted at the War Memorial Plaza, Delaware Memorial Bridge, New Castle, DE 19721.

The Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs will be honoring all the men and women who sacrificed their lives while serving in the U.S. Military. We would like to extend this invitation to our fellow Delawareans and our neighboring states in paying tribute to all our deceased veterans on this most solemn day. The service held on May 25^th will be hosted by the Military Officers Association of America-MOAA. The next service held on May 30^th will be hosted by American Veterans- AMVETS.

Did you know that Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day? It originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries, memorials and participating in parades.

Also, look out for all the Buddy Poppy distributions during this holiday. “To honor the dead by helping the living,” as stated by VFW’s Buddy Poppy Program. On that note, we would like to share this following poem by John McCrae, In Flander’s Field: In flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row, that mark our place; and in the sky, the larks, still bravely singing, fly, scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead. Short days ago, we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved and now we lie, in flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe to you, from failing hands, we throw, the torch, be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us, who die, we shall not sleep, though poppies grow, in flanders fields.