Lighthouse Keeper recognition ceremonies for Seven Keepers in Mathews County on October 3rd, 2020

Descendants of honored Keeper Walter M. Shawn
Descendants of honored Keeper Walter M. Shawn at his grave site. Granddaughter, Shirley Shea, is 2nd from the left.
Photo by Betty Collins
Descendants of honored Keeper William Thomas Brooks
Descendants of honored Keeper William Thomas Brooks at his grave site. Great grandchildren: Christopher Miller (2nd from left); Wallace Brooks Twigg, Jr. (3rd from left); Nancy Brooks Katsuki (3rd from right) and Jeanne Brooks Dyche (on right).
Photo by Alma Pasek
Descendants of honored Keeper Charles Franklin Sadler
Descendants of honored Keeper Charles Franklin Sadler at his grave site. Grandson, Weldon Lewis Sadler II, is 2nd from the right.
Photo by Alma Pasek
Decedant of Keeper William Thomas Brooks
Frances Twigg Ellis displaying photo of her great grandfather, Keeper William Thomas Brooks.
Photo by Alma Pasek
Honor Guard (Station Milford Haven, USCG) at ceremony honoring Keeper Shawn. L to R – Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Romash, Petty Officer 2nd Class William Perdue and Seaman Dylan Caporaletti.
Photo by Alma Pasek
Descendants of honored Keeper Henry Luther Dow
Descendants of honored Keeper Henry Luther Dow at his grave site. Grandson, Walter R. Brooks, is on the 2nd row, 2nd from the right.
Photo by Alma Pasek
Decendant of Keeper Robert Harold Matthews
Great-nephew Dale Fitchett at grave site of honored Keeper Robert Harold Matthews.
Photo by Betty Collins
Gravesite of Keeper Shawn
L to R Tony, Ron and Alma prepare the grave site of Keeper Shawn.
Photo by Betty Collins
Descendant Susan Powell speaking at ceremony honoring Keeper Andrew Broaddus Sadler.
Photo by Alma Pasek
Honor Guard (Station Milford Haven USCG) and Color Guard (Flotilla 66, USCG Auxiliary Milford Haven) at ceremony honoring A. B. Sadler.
Photo by Alma Pasek
Descendants of honored Keeper James Garnett Williams at his grave site, including great granddaughter Suzanne Carmean.
Photo by Betty Collins
Descendants of honored Keeper Andrew Broaddus Sadler
Descendants of honored Keeper Andrew Broaddus Sadler at his grave site.
Photo by Betty Collins
Betty (Coordinator) and Tony (MC)
Betty (Coordinator) and Tony (MC) officiate at the ceremony honoring Keeper Matthews.
Photo by Alma Pasek
Color Guard (Flotilla 66, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Milford Haven) at ceremony honoring Keeper Shawn. L to R – Nick Koch, Matt Smith, Ray Procopio, Don Connolly and facing National Ensign – Jim Gierlak.
Photo by Alma Pasek
Tom Edwards (Flotilla 66, USCG Auxiliary Milford Haven) playing “Taps” at H.C. Smither Cemetery.
Photo by Alma Pasek

On a crystal-clear early October day, the Chapter honored seven well-deserving Chesapeake Bay lighthouse keepers who served at 14 different Virginia stations, three in Maryland, and two Coast Guard tenders.  The weather on October 3 in Mathews County was “picture-postcard-perfect”. With a color guard from Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 66 and three Coast Guardsmen from Station Milford Haven, we paid tribute to – Keepers Walter M. Shawn, Henry Luther Dow, James Garnett Williams, William Thomas Brooks, Robert Harold Matthews, Andrew Broaddus Sadler and Charles Franklin Sadler.  Event coordinator Betty Collins opened and closed each ceremony with an assist from MC Tony Pasek that included the “Pledge of Allegiance”, a review of the Keeper’s life, his lighthouse duty with the USLHS and USCG, a Lighthouse Keeper’s Prayer, remarks by the descendants and the playing of “Taps”. Special thanks to Betty, her husband Ron, Hobie and Winnie Statzer, Chapter Historian Jennifer Jones, Marie Vincent of the USLHS, Paula and Lauren Liebrecht, MC Tony and his better half, Alma for an event well-done and one that will be long remembered. There were over 200 in attendance for the entire day. Also, thanks to Tom Edwards and his steadfast crew from Flotilla 66 and the young “Coasties” from Station Milford Haven. All were in uniforms and participated in all the events. Look for a complete write up in the Winter 2021 Chesapeake Lights.

Keeper Grave Dedication Ceremony

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Programs

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