Middle Peninsula Detachment #1317 of the Marine Corps League will host this year’s Memorial Day program in Gloucester. Sunday’s program will begin at 3 p.m. on the steps of the Gloucester courthouse in front of the Gloucester Veterans Memorial Wall.
American Legion Post 75 normally hosts the Memorial Day program, but that organization has switched with the Marine Corps League this year and will instead host the Veterans Day program while Detachment #1317 celebrates the 250th birthday of the Marine Corps on Nov. 10, said Jodey Clements, the detachment’s adjutant/paymaster.
Retired Navy Admiral William Will is Sunday’s guest speaker. A native of Pennsylvania, Will is also a reverend. While in high school, he joined the Pennsylvania National Guard with the intent to ultimately join the military as his career.
In early 1954, he felt a call to the ministry and enrolled in West Virginia Wesleyan College to begin the path to the ministry. He graduated in 1958, and then enrolled in Duke University’s divinity school, graduating in 1961. Chaplain Will also graduated from San Francisco Theological Seminary with a Doctor of Ministry.
After spending three years pastoring a local church, Will enlisted in the United States Navy as a Chaplain. He was commissioned a Lieutenant JG, USNR, in November 1964, reporting to his first duty station in June 1965, thus beginning his career, both active and reserve for 32 years.
He was selected for the rank of Rear Admiral in March 1994 and joined the Chief of Chaplain’s staff as the director and advisor to the Chief of Chaplains for all reserve matters, and also as director of mobilization. He retired from the Navy in 1996.
Among the highlights of his career, he served a tour with the United States Marines in Vietnam, and additionally, either active or reserve, he served five additional Marine commands, and a tour with the Coast Guard during his 32 years of service.
Following Will’s talk, representatives from a number of civic organizations and veterans’ groups will place wreaths at the wall, escorted by members of the Gloucester High School NJROTC.
In Mathews
Mathews American Legion Post 83 will conduct a Bell Ceremony and Honor Guard service to honor departed veterans at 1 p.m. on Monday, Memorial Day, at the “Flags for Heroes” display on Main Street in Mathews.
The public is invited to both events.