The Delaware Chapter is having the next Chapter Members Lunch meeting on April 21, 2018 at Fort Miles in the Cape Henlopen State Park. As you may know, Ft Miles was an active Army installation constructed in World War II to protect the Delaware coast and shipping near the Delaware Bay. It was linked to the many observation towers along the Delaware shoreline.
Over the past 12 years the Ft Miles Historical Association has worked to engage the community, local businesses, and State government to preserve and restore a portion of this facility. Battery 519 is the centerpiece of this restoration and is currently the Museum. The Association staff
will meet at 10am, have a site overview from a member of the Ft Miles Historical Association, followed by a tour of Battery 519. This battery, the last one constructed, was built to house two 12-inch guns, a railway, and a chart room. It now serves as the Museum.
After the tour, we will have lunch with a Chapter update. The cost of the lunch and tour is $15.00.
(Reduced, thanks to sponsor support).
Please RSVP with your check + contact info to CSM (Ret) Jim Vavala, 2628 Longfellow Drive, Wilmington, DE 19808 by April 10, 2018.
Guest Speaker Information
Dr. Gary Wray has been President of FMHA (Fort Miles Historical Association) since it began in 2003, and has led the organization in its goal of preserving and protecting all aspects of Fort Miles. Dr. Wray is co-author (with Lee Jennings, State Parks historian) of a of a book on Fort Miles, published by Arcadia Press in 2005. Dr. Wray also serves on the local Cape Henlopen School Board, and is an elected trustee of the Delaware Historical Society, the oldest historical society in the state. Dr. Wray, representing FMHA, was also chosen by the state of Delaware as the 2008 State Volunteer of the Year. Dr. Wray is currently a professor at Wilmington University, the University of Maryland, and Delaware Technical and Community College.
Dr. Wray will speak to us on the history of Fort Miles, what has been accomplished thus far, and the restoration plans for the future. He will also highlight the Fort’s role in the successful conclusion of World War II, the surrender of the German U-boat at Fort Miles, and Delaware
heroes during the War.