WEST CAPE MAY — A crowd gathers to watch the sun disappear over Delaware Bay at Sunset Beach. As the bright orange light begins to dim, a ceremony is taking place. Every evening, about 20 minutes before sunset, an individual veteran of war is honored as the American Flag is lowered for the night. The sounds of patriotic music...
WEST CAPE MAY -- A crowd gathers to watch the sun disappear over Delaware Bay at Sunset Beach. As the bright orange light begins to dim, a ceremony is taking place.
Every evening, about 20 minutes before sunset, an individual veteran of war is honored as the American Flag is lowered for the night. The sounds of patriotic music play over the loudspeaker.
It was in 1973 when Marvin Hume purchased the property from a military colonel who started an impromptu flag lowering ceremony. Marvin loved the idea and decided to continue the tradition and honor veterans of war. Today, Marvin's son Larry continues the tradition.
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The ceremony is held daily from Memorial Day through September. According to Hume, he has no intentions of stopping any time soon.
"We love to instill patriotism into the people that visit us," said Larry Hume, current owner of the gift shops at Sunset Beach. "We honor the flag, we honor our country and we hope that we could help people appreciate what it's like to be an American."
Andre Malok may be reached at amalok@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AndreMalok. Find NJ.com on Facebook.