A service to honor the men and women of America’s armed forces who sacrificed all in the defense of the nation was held on Sunday afternoon on the steps of the Gloucester courthouse in front of the Gloucester Veterans Memorial Wall.
This year’s Memorial Day service was hosted by Middle Peninsula Detachment 1317 of the Marine Corps League, who had swapped heading up this year’s observance with American Legion Post 75, which in November will host the Veterans Day program, allowing Marine Corps League members to take part in the observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Marines on Nov. 10, 1775.
Commandant Dave Clements, who served as master of ceremonies, said that the program was being held to “honor the brave souls who laid down their lives to keep us free … not for glory, but for duty.” He urged those present to “teach your children their names … May God bless our fallen heroes.”
Gloucester High School senior Mary Ashton VanFossen opened the program by singing th...