A Community Based Celebration
of National Service

The 2019 Our Community Salutes High School Senior Recognition Ceremony was held on 29 May at the Cavaliers Country Club just north of Newark, Delaware.

This year there were over 75 enlistees from all branches of the services, twenty-seven of who were able to attend the reception, dinner and awards presentation accompanied by their parents, other family members and their recruiters.

Each enlistee received letters of appreciation signed by both Senators, Chris Coons and Tom Carper, and Representative Lisa Blunt-Rochester and a letter of commendation signed by the Chairmen of the State House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees.

They were also presented with a traditional Challenge Coin.

Gary Dawson served as our master of ceremonies.

Our speakers were BG David Fleming, Assistant Adjutant General, Delaware National Guard, and Larence Kirby, Executive Director of the Delaware Veterans Affairs Committee.

Enlistees honored at the 2019 Our Community Salutes Ceremony

The 2018 Our Community Salutes High School Senior Recognition Ceremony was held on 23 May at the Cavaliers Country Club just north of Newark, Delaware.

This year there were over 69 enlistees from all branches of the services, forty-two of who were able to attend the reception, dinner and awards presentation accompanied by their parents, other family members and their recruiter.

Each enlistee received letters of appreciation signed by both Senators, Chris Coons and Tom Carper, and Representative Lisa Blunt-Rochester and a letter of commendation signed by the Chairmen of the State House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees.

They were also presented with a traditional Challenge Coin.

NBC10's Tim Furlong once again served as our master of ceremonies.

Our speakers were BG Mike Berry, Director of the Joint Staff, Delaware National Guard, and Larence Kirby, Executive Director of the Delaware Veterans Affairs Committee.

Enlistees honored at the 2018 Our Community Salutes Ceremony

The 2017 Our Community Salutes High School Senior Recognition Ceremony was held on 16 May at the Cavaliers Country Club just north of Newark, Delaware.

This year there were over 110 enlistees from all branches of the services, forty-two of who were able to attend the reception, dinner and awards presentation accompanied by their parents, other family members and their recruiter.

Each enlistee received letters of appreciation signed by both Senators Chris Coons and Tom Carper and Representative Lisa Blunt-Rochester and and a letter of commendation signed by the Chairmen of the State House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees.

They were also presented with a traditional Challenge Coin.

NBC10's Tim Furlong once again served as our emcee (sixth year in a row).

Our speakers were MG Troy Kok, Commander of the 99th Reserve Support Command (USAR) from Fort Dix, New Jersey and Larence Kirby, Executive Director of the Delaware Veterans Affairs Committee.

One high school guidance counselor, Christopher McGuire, of Dover High School, was presented with the General Colin L. Powell Award for his efforts in assisting students seeking to begin their career in the military.

Enlistees honored at the 2017 Our Community Salutes Ceremony

Wilmington University and the Delaware Chapter, Association of the US Army hosted the Fifth Annual “Our Community Salutes” ceremony in Delaware on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at Wilmington University’s Doberstein Center in New Castle.

This ceremony recognizes and thanks those Delaware high school seniors who have chosen to join one of the military services after graduation.

58 student enlistees and their parents enjoyed a welcome reception with food, beverages and information tables for Delaware Joining Forces, the USO, Red Cross, the Veterans Administration and Military One-Source.

Sponsors in attendance included Summit Aviation, Navy Federal Credit Union, and Ameriprise Financial.

Tim Furlong of NBC10 returned (fifth year in a row) as the emcee.

This year’s speakers included Mr. Larence Kirby, Executive Director for Delaware Commission of Veteran Affairs, and Brigadier General Michael Berry, Land Component Commander, Delaware Army National Guard.

Student enlistees received letters of appreciation signed by U.S. Senators Carper and Coons, and U.S. Representative Carney.

They also received a letter from the State of Delaware House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees.

The General Colin L. Powell award was presented to two high school counselors, Kim Denhardt (Delcastle) and Gloria Huynh-ba (William Penn).

This award recognizes counselors that were most helpful to students seeking to begin their career in the military, and awardees are nominated by military recruiters.

Enlistees honored at the 2016 Our Community Salutes Ceremony

Wilmington University and the Delaware Chapter, Association of the US Army conducted the fourth annual “Our Community Salutes” ceremony in Delaware on Thursday, May 7, 2015 from 6:30pm to 8:30 pm.

This ceremony recognized and thanked those high school seniors in Delaware who have chosen to join one of the military services after graduation.

Tim Furlong of NBC 10 Philadelphia returned as the emcee, and speakers this year included Delaware Attorney General Matt Denn and Major General Glenn Lesniak, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Reserve

Student enlistees received letters of appreciation signed by U.S. Senators Carper and Coons, and U.S. Representative Carney.

Also, each attendee received letters from the State of Delaware House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees, and an ‘Our Community Salutes’ challenge coin.

The General Colin L. Powell award was presented to Mr Justin Null, a high school counselor at St Georges’ Technical High School.

This award recognizes a Delaware high school counselor who has been particularly helpful in assisting students interested in beginning their career in the military.

Enlistees honored at the 2015 Our Community Salutes Ceremony

Wilmington University (WU) and the Delaware Chapter, Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) conducted the third annual “Our Community Salutes” (OCS) event at Wilmington University’s New Castle, DE campus on May 6th from 6-8pm, to recognize and honor the Delaware high school seniors (and their parents) who have chosen to enlist into the military after graduation this spring.

Over 160 people participated in the event, including local celebrities, area college officials, and support agencies such as Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), Red Cross, Military OneSource, and the USO.

Sponsors included Navy Federal Credit Union, USAA, Summit Aviation, Calvert Comfort Heating and Cooling and the Delaware City Refining Co.

Forty-four high school seniors and their families attended the event and Tim Furlong, the Delaware Correspondent for NBC News Philadelphia, returned as the emcee.

Our speakers included Major General Frank Vavala, the Adjutant General of the Delaware National Guard, and Lieutenant Colonel Donald Moor, Executive Officer of the 4th Marine Corps District.

The Junior ROTC cadets from William Penn High School handled the colors and provided an exhibition rifle drill team.

Each attending enlistee received Letters of Appreciation from both U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative Carney.

Also, student enlistees received a letter of commendation from the Delaware General Assembly signed by the Chairmen of both the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees.

Enlistees honored at the 2014 Our Community Salutes Ceremony

The 2013 ceremony was held on May 1, again at Wilmington University in New Castle.

Tim Furlong of NBC10 Philadelphia served as the emcee, and speakers included Brigadier Generals Terry Wiley and Carol Timmons, and Command Chief Master Sergeant James Smith (Dover AFB).

Twenty-six student enlistees and their parents were part of a reception with colleges, vendors and support groups. Each enlistee received letters of appreciation from the House and Senate Veterans Affairs committees.

Enlistees honored at the 2013 Our Community Salutes Ceremony

Wilmington University and the Delaware Chapter, Association of the US Army conducted the first annual “Our Community Salutes” ceremony in Delaware on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 from 6:00pm to 8:00 pm.

This ceremony recognized and ‘thanked’ those high school seniors in New Castle County who chose to join one of the military services after graduation.

Tim Furlong from NBC10 Philadelphia served as the Ceremony’s emcee, and the speakers include Delaware’s Attorney General Joseph ‘Beau’ Biden.

Brigadier General Carol Timmons, the Assistant Adjutant General (Air), Delaware National Guard and the founder of Our Community Salutes, Dr Ken Hartman.

Enlistees honored at the 2012 Our Community Salutes Ceremony

Sitting from left: Delaware National Guard and the founder of Our Community Salutes, Dr Ken Hartman Delaware’s Attorney General Joseph ‘Beau’ Biden Brigadier General Carol Timmons, the Assistant Adjutant General (Air) COL (Ret) Gary W. Dawson