Memorial Day Edition

May is the month where our thoughts go to gardens growing with spring in full bloom! Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May. We will be forever grateful and never forget the sacrifices of our brave warriors that have made our way of life possible. Memorial weekend is a time to reflect, honor, and remember the men and women who died to give us the very freedom and peaceful life we have in the U.S. We honor all Veterans who served and are still serving to keep us free.  

Keep reading this edition of our newsletter to learn more about:

• Merchandise
• Home Donations
• Upcoming Events Supporting our Cause
• Bruce in the USA Ticket Information
• Volunteer information
• Host Family Update

But first, two quick updates...

Congratulations in Order

Ferdinand (Ferd) Comolli (92), OSTD Volunteer, who was inducted into the Hall of Honor at Fort Miles in Lewes, DE on April 30. Ferd flew 73 missions over Germany as a fighter pilot Ferd, shown center – also shown left to right (Annette Reeping, Bob Reeping, Chris Ross)

Quilts of Valor

Several local groups have already started working on the quilts of valor that will be presented to our 2016 Warrior Families. The Serendipity Shop will collect and finish the Quilts of Valor over the next several months. Anyone interested in supporting this effort is welcomed to join in on the Quilt of Valor Days at the Serendipity Shop. The Shop has all the materials and sewing machines needed for this effort. And they will show you how to sew a straight line if you have not done so before. Many Soldiers from Dover join in on this effort and it is a lot of fun. So mark your calendars for June 11th and/or August 13th for Quilt of Valor Day at the Serendipity shop. Don’t miss a fun time! Anyone welcome!

2016 Official Merchandise

2016 Operation SEAs the Day official merchandise on sale at various locations:

• Sea Colony Beach Shoppe: The Sea Colony Beach Shoppe located at Sea Colony Marketplace, Rt. 1 near Bethany Beach, DE
• Bethany Fine Arts: located in downtown Bethany Beach at 106 Garfield -- #6
• Bethany Beach Farmer’s Market: beginning Mid-June on Sundays throughout the summer in the parking lot behind the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Department
• WSFS Bank: at 69 Atlantic Avenue (Route 26), Ocean View

House Donations

There is a need for approximately 6 additional houses in Bethany Beach Proper for use September 6 – 11 (Warrior Beach Week). If anyone is interested in donating the use of their Bethany Beach house please email Operation SEAS The Day at info@operationseastheday.org. The homes will be used for Warrior Families and Caregivers. The use of a Bethany Beach house is one of the ways that makes Warrior Beach week possible. Please email Operation SEAS the Day with any questions. Thank you for your continued support of the Warrior Families and Operation SEAs The Day.

Upcoming Events

Flags for Heroes

Remembering those who served and honoring those who served.The Southern Sussex Rotary Club will donate a portion of their donations to Operation SEAs The Day. Flags will be placed at Lord Baltimore School on Route 26, Ocean View, on Saturday, May 28, 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. Go to southernsussexrotary.com for more information.

A Celebration of American Music

A concert to benefit Operation SEAs The Day will be held at St. Martha’s Episcopal Church on Sunday, June 5, beginning at 4 p.m. Admission is free. There will be a free will offering that will benefit Operation Seas the Day. CoroAllegro presents a journey through the history of American music, featuring Aaron Copland, William Billings, Paul Simon, Steven Stucky, and a host of other American composers. Join with us as we bring you the very best of American choral music!

Bruce in the USA!

Buy your Freeman Stage tickets today

Be sure to get your tickets for the Bruce in the USA concert Friday, September 9 beginning at 7 p.m. Join the Warrior Families in this great USA celebration of music and recognition of the brave American Families visiting Bethany Beach. Bring your families and join in on this exciting patriotic evening! For tickets visit freemanstage.org.

Interested in Volunteering?

As we gear up for the 4th year of Operation SEAs The Day, we want to thank all volunteers who have given of their time and talents! OSTD is updating volunteer categories to reflect current needs for 2016. Volunteer signup will begin on Friday, July 15, on the OSTD website at operationseastheday.org/volunteer-opportunities/.

Warrior Hosts

We are happy to announce that Maureen and Jim Costas will be the 2016 Host Coordinators.

Maureen and Jim have been involved as Hosts over the past several years. Jim has a strong military background. They are the proud parents of two military sons (Air Force Academy grad and West Point grad) and a Daughter. They have been busy looking over the past history of Host information as well as becoming familiar with the details of their new role. Once they are fully knowledgeable, they will be in contact with past hosts as well as determine the need for new Hosts. Host information will continue to be published via the OSTD monthly newsletter.

OSTD thanks Sandy Diefenderfer for her great work over the past two years as well as wish her the very best. Once Maureen and Jim have fully transitioned into their Host Coordinator role, additional information will be provided to past Hosts and potential new Hosts. Any Host questions, feedback or recommendations can be sent to warriorhost@operationseastheday.org. Join us in welcoming Maureen and Jim as Host Coordinator 2016!