Fort Miles Historical Association hosted its annual D-Day Ceremony at Fort Miles Museum in Cape Henlopen State Park on Saturday, June 6. It was a moving tribute to the brave souls who sacrificed their all on D-Day. It was well attended.

Our guest trumpeter, bagpiper, Chaplain, Honor Guard from the Mason Dixon VFW Post 7234 and numerous volunteers contributed so much to our special ceremony.

Group of elderly veterans in colorful jackets and hats, sitting outdoors and reading a flyer together

2026 D-Day Ceremony: Walt Koopman

Walt Koopman, Korean War veteran

Man playing bagpipes at an outdoor ceremony, wearing a black hat with a red plume, beside a wooden podium and an American flag in the background.

2026 D-Day Ceremony: Bagpiper Lani Spahr

Bagpiper Lani Spahr

Man wearing a beige polo and cap speaks into a handheld microphone at an outdoor podium, sunglasses on. Proximity shows Fort Miles emblem on the podium badge.

2026 D-Day Ceremony: Will Short

Will Short, Vice President of Fort Miles Historical Association

Three people in WWII-era military uniforms pose with gear in a sunny, scrubby outdoor area with driftwood nearby.

2026 D-Day Ceremony: Reenactors

2026 D-Day Ceremony: Reenactors

Older man in a beige cap and sunglasses speaks at a wooden podium, microphone in front, with an American flag behind him.

2026 D-Day Ceremony: Ed Paterline

2026 D-Day Ceremony: Ed Paterline, President of Fort Miles Historical Association

Military officer in tan uniform salutes with his right hand near his temple outdoors.

D-Day Ceremony: Scott Wallen

Scott Wallen from the Harbor Defenses of Delaware

Silver chalice, cruets, and liturgical vessels arranged on a white cloth altar with a cross backdrop inside a display cabinet.

D-Day Ceremony: Chaplain Kit

U.S. Army Chaplain the Rev. Morris Arnold chaplain's kit. Arnold swam the kit ashore at Utah Beach.

Group of older veterans in white dress uniforms with US flags on sleeves, one man playing a trumpet, others with rifles during a parade.

D-Day Ceremony: Bugler

Bugler from the VFW Mason Dixon Post 7234

Elderly veterans sit outdoors; man in a red shirt reads a paper while adjusting his cap as others applaud.

D-Day Ceremony 2026: George McCarthy

World War II veteran George McCarthy, aged 102

Outdoor ceremony on a sunny day by the coast with an audience seated in rows and a speaker at a podium under a white canopy; American flags line the area.

2026 D-Day Ceremony

2026 D-Day Ceremony on the scenic overlook