Tears fell from many eyes as 30 names were read of fallen Delaware Hometown Heroes as the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 83, the national organization's state chapter, honored the Gold Star Families for the first memorial of its kind in the state.
"It is fitting that we remember our hometown heroes on the 75th Dover Days," said Maj. Gen. Francis D. Vavala, adjutant general of the Delaware National Guard. "Because of their sacrifice we can enjoy our liberties."
Each side of the promenade in front of the capitol building was lined with 2-by-4-foot commemorative banners featuring either photos of the slain military members or the crests of their respective branches.
As the names of the fallen were called, family members in attendance were escorted to the banner to lay a yellow rose at the base as members of the veterans chapter handed out the Gold Star pins.
The Gold Star Families refers to a gold pin given to immediate family members of fallen U.S. servicemen and -women.
"It's just as important to remember the families who have given their loved ones," chapter president Tom Daws said.
Among the soldiers honored was Dover resident U.S. Army Sgt. Jarrett B. Thompson, 27, who was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 7, 2003. He was posthumously presented with the Bronze Star.
Sgt. Thompson was with the 964th Transport Company at Camp Cedar, Iraq. He died when a civilian vehicle struck the one he was in while in a convoy.
"I think it's wonderful they are doing this," his mother Judy said. "I can't imagine anything nicer."
Sgt. Thompson's wife, Kelly, and two sons, Connor, 11, and Collin, 7, were also present with other family members.
"It was really nice," Connor said. "I was glad to see my dad on that poster and honored."
The chapter's Gold Star Families chairwoman, Judy Campbell, initially started the project to honor families who lost a loved one in the present Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, but it grew to include all known Delaware Gold Star Families.
Fallen soldiers from the Vietnam War, conflicts in Laos, Cambodia and Beirut were also among the more recent casualties.
The pin incorporates symbols that indicate the family's loss with a laurel wreath border signifying valor, a purple field representing grief or mourning and the gold star that has been used since World War I to signify "died in a combat theater."
A volley of rifle shots, a trumpeter playing taps and "Amazing Grace" played by a bagpiper closed the ceremony after Brig. Gen. Terry L. Wiley, assistant adjutant general with the Delaware National Guard, announced the final roll call of fallen heroes.
"Sir, they are now reporting to a high authority," he said after the last name.
In other cases, Ms. Campbell said she has heard of stories where family members were denied pins and instead purchased them at garage sales or on eBay.
Staff writer Ali Cheeseman can be reached at 741-8250 or acheeseman@newszap.com.