The annual Fort Miles Open House – Delaware Goes to War – was held on April 28th and produced a new attendance record exceeding 2017’s mark of 1,509.  The 2018 final count will likely come close to exceeding 2,000 attendees from Delmarva and beyond.  Under bountiful sunshine and thanks to the efforts of Delaware State Parks, the staff of Cape Henlopen State Park, the Board of Directors of Fort Miles Historical Association (“FMHA”) and the FMHA “Bunker Busters” volunteers as well as the new Women’s Auxiliary volunteers, the day was a huge success.

Those attending were treated to a variety of events featuring re-enactors from the 261st Coast Artillery and other units, along with the Milford Delaware Boy Scouts.  These events included a firing of a 3-inch artillery gun (black powder only!), a reenactment of the surrender of German U-Boat 858 (with the Boy Scouts quickly morphing into German POWs), soldiers on horseback, views of a soldier’s life at Fort Miles, Battery 519 plotting room demonstrations, on-site artists sketching military scenes and more.

One of the day’s events was a presentation by Tim Nosal from the American Battle Monuments Commission (‘ABMC”), a federal agency that operates and maintains 26 overseas cemeteries commemorating American war dead.  The ABMC presentation also featured a talk by Delaware resident Billie Meeks, who told the story of her father’s death in action late in WWII and his subsequent burial at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten.  Ms. Meeks put a personal face on the great work done by ABMC.

Visitors also viewed numerous vehicles, weapons, military equipment and memorabilia brought into Fort Miles by the dedicated re-enactors.  The new FMHA Mess Hall fed nearly 500 guests, with the Boy Scouts and their parents overseeing much of the operation.  FMHA volunteers assisted with the Mess Hall operation as well as setting up the various elements needed to efficiently serve a large volume of hungry customers.

261st Coastal Artillery re-enactors fire the type of 3-inch artillery gun that guarded the beaches at Fort Miles

This was truly a day where the sun shone on Fort Miles and the annual Open House to honor and remember Delaware’s World War II veterans and families.