Life on Delmarva: March 2016

Monday, March 21, 2016

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day 2016 | What is March 30th All About?

Years ago our country sent young Americans off to war, instructing them to go fulfill their duties and serve Uncle Sam. They did what was asked of them and thousands upon thousands of lives were lost. For those who returned home it was anything but a hero's welcome as they found a nation had turned against them in anger. How wrong that was for our Vietnam Veterans - and how many years it has taken to acknowledge what we as a country had done.

"Honoring our Veterans" | Memorial in Seaford, Delaware

The Veterans Memorial in Kiwanis Park is located in central Sussex County, off of Stein Highway in Seaford. It was dedicated in 1987 and although I not locate an official website for the memorial, here is what I could find.

There is a little information at memorialdayfoundation.org

"The parks and recreation department unveiled a 10-foot-tall stone memorial in 1987 that lists the names of Seaford residents who died in World War I, World War II, Vietnam and Iraq. The park is on Stein Highway." Via (via MilitaryHeritage.org)

Memorial bricks

Veterans from WWI through Iraq are included here

"A Summer Stroll on the Boardwalk" | Ocean City, Maryland

A stroll on the world-famous Ocean City boardwalk located along the Atlantic Ocean. Although we are locals here, our schedules have rarely offered the chance to go out during the summertime and actually see the sights of this town at night. So this was our trip down the boards, stopping at many of the iconic attractions and businesses which line the beach.

It wasn't dark yet when we arrived around 8PM...

...just in time to see the lights begin going on all up and down the beach.

Flags in the sand near the Kite Loft

Here you can see the sun beginning to set.

See the shark hanging out of the Ripley's building?

March 13th: Honoring our K9 Veterans

Throughout the history of our country thousands of dogs have served with honor, dignity and valor. These dogs have served at many jobs in all of our wars, having been employed by the United States Military from World War I to present conflicts.

To this day, dogs continue to serve on our borders and abroad every day,on both land and sea. Many State residents actively participate in and engage in K9 training and operational activities to assist the United States Military.

Joseph J. White, a retired Military Working Dog handler and founder of "K9 Veterans Day," pioneered a nation-wide effort to get the entire country to recognize March 13 as K9 Veterans Day.

Due to the current war on terror, such dogs as Customs Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, Border Patrol Dogs, Police Dogs, Secret Service Dogs and many more will be included with the Military Working Dogs in this recognition as they also help protect and serve our country.

It is well known that K9 dogs are loyal, loving, and devoted, and that they have knowingly placed themselves in harm's way, making the ultimate sacrifice by laying down their lives for their partners. It is appropriate to honor these dogs and to recognize their contributions by designating March 13 of each year as "K9 Veterans Day." Source:

The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument is a U.S. National Monument located at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded by John C. Burnam, published author and Vietnam Veteran Infantryman and German Shepherd Scout Dog Handler (1966-1968). The monument was designed by the John Burnam Monument Foundation.

It represents all wars since WWII and all five U.S. Armed Services (Army, Marines, Navy Air Force, and Coast Guard). The monument grounds encompass a 3,000 square feet granite plaza, granite pedestals, granite history wall, and granite benches. The granite pedestals have large bronze statues of dogs and handlers. Cost of construction was provided by corporate sponsors and public donations raised by the John Burnam Memorial Foundation. The monument was dedicated during a formal military ceremony on October 28, 2013. One of the inscriptions reads: "Dedicated to all U.S. Military Working Dog Handlers and their beloved dogs who defend America from harm, defeat the enemy, and save lives." Source: Wikipedia

Visit the Facebook Page for National K9 Veterans Day
"Proclaiming March 13 as National K9 Veterans' Day is meant to honor all military and working dogs for their service and sacrifice for our nation." Website
On National K9 Veterans Day, Salute Some Of America’s Finest Military Working Dogs

"Life on Delmarva" • #delmarvausa

Thursday, March 10, 2016

"Forgetting an important date" (I can't believe I did this)

I'm horrified by the fact I forgot what today was. It's not like me to overlook things like that...

This was a little graphic I'd posted earlier today on Pinterest, kind of a reminder to myself that I have to keep on going and working at lots of little tasks because I'm easily overwhelmed.

And I meant to post it on Facebook too but forgot....well, I got caught up in my day and things to do and before I knew it....it was 11:55PM on Wednesday, March 9th. And I'd missed something pretty important. ((HOW could I have just done that??))

Unfortunately, although I thought I was doing pretty well today and reached a LOT of steps....it's a pretty lousy feeling when you realize that you completely overlooked an important anniversary that means a great deal to some special people. And I didn't really forget it; I knew it was coming up; I had it written down as Thursday the 10th. But it was, in fact, today the 9th and I'm horrified that I forgot. Yes, people make mistakes but you know how those are the ones you think you will never forget? Well, I did. And now I'm wondering what I could do to try and make it up to my friends....feeling so stupid right now. :(

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Remember these?? The History of "Walnettos" Candy

Walnetto's were first introduced to the United States in 1919, and were a big hit from the very beginning! With their rich, distinctive, walnut-caramel taste, they soon became a popular item often purchased at movie theaters.

The little caramel squares went on to become one of the top ten best selling candies in the USA during World War II. In the 1960’s, the Cadbury Candy Company purchased the Walnetto product. Unfortunately, Cadbury retired the line in order to focus solely on their chocolate business, and the nutty caramel treat vanished for several decades.

The Virgil Wilson VFW Post 4961 in Seaford, DE

Photos taken of the Virgil Wilson VFW Post 4961 in 2016. Located on Middleford Road in Seaford, Delaware (Sussex County), there is an M-113 Armored Personnel Carrier on display out front, along with an anchor and "Commanders Row" plaque.

Signs, Icons & Logos of Ocean City, Maryland, part II

Familiar logos, local businesses and signage from Maryland's favorite beach town of Ocean City. Many of these favorites are eagerly seen by visitors as they return to our town for vacations; most of the ones included here are long-time, well loved and family-owned establishments. They all, in some small way, work together to make up the distinctive flavor of this community located along the Atlantic Ocean.

The Oceanic Fishing Pier