Commissioners ask administrator to convene veterans groups to sustain Memorial Day, Veterans Day events

Kent County commissioners voted to ask the county administrator to reach out to local veterans organizations and county staff to form a committee to organize Veterans Day and Memorial Day events going forward.

The request followed a presentation by Peter J. Sweetser, a resident who has organized Vietnam Veterans events for four years, and Katie Mulligan Waddell, who has helped revive the Memorial Day parade. Sweetser said the cost of the Vietnam veterans event is “just a little over $2,000” and that, over four years, “we had a total of a little over 200 Vietnam veterans step forward for the first time and receive their pin.” Waddell told commissioners “these events should be considered civic.”

The commissioners’ motion directs County Administrator Shelley (county administrator) to work with staff member Jamie Williams to contact the Chestertown American Legion, Betterton American Legion, Rock Hall American Legion, the VFW, Sumner Hall, the Daughters of the American Revolution and other groups about forming an oversight committee. Commissioners said the county would attempt outreach and notify Sweetser and Waddell if a committee commits to taking responsibility.

Why it matters: organizers said the events had regained momentum but were sustained largely by individual volunteers and one or two organizers, which they called unsustainable. Commissioners were asked to help secure ongoing organizational leadership and, where appropriate, limited county funding that previously supported the events.

Next steps: the county administrator and staff will contact the listed organizations and report back to the presenters if a committee forms or if the county provides interim support.