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Memorial Day through Patriots' Day
Every evening at sunset, members of the Cape May Kiwanis Club gather
at the western end of the promenade - the Cove - for a patriotic event
with music and a Kiwanis Club Member as Master of Ceremonies.
Watch one of the most beautiful sunsets in New
Jersey as it sets behind the lighthouse. And bring your camera!
We invite children to JUST SHOW UP and help us lower the flag. Each
child receives a certificate signed by the Mayor of Cape May and the
President of the Kiwanis Club, indicating their participation, for
show-and-tell about their vacation.
Please join us!
In conjunction with daily flag lowering, miniature toy soldiers are distributed to attendees to remind them of the soldiers who have and are serving our country.
Every evening from Memorial Day through September
11th Kiwanians gather together a small group of young people to join
them in lowering the flag at day’s end. They teach the children flag
etiquette and how to properly fold it into its traditional triangular
shape. Each participant receives a certificate signed by the Cape May
City Mayor proclaiming their participation and an American Flag lapel
pin. Many take their certificates to school for show-and-tell about
their summer vacations. This tradition is the brainchild of Kiwanian
Robert Elwell, former Mayor of Cape May, a Cape May lifeguard, and
life-long fire fighter. Bob was the driving force behind the building of
the pavilion. September 11 denotes the last day of the summer season for
the flag lowering ceremony until next year.
Learn More: 9/11 Patriot Day Ceremony
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Tony Williams, a Kiwanian for over fifteen
years, passed away December 18, 2017. Tony was one of the “old
guard” made up of a core of members who served the club with
heart and soul during the last three decades. Tony was quiet,
and yet, a person who sought out challenge and met it with
leadership in his service to the club and the community. In
2007, Tony formed the first car raffle committee. Over the past
ten years, this small step began the largest fundraiser in the
history of the Kiwanis club organized in 1923 and one of the
largest Kiwanis clubs in New Jersey. Car raffle proceeds
are designated to provide scholarships for our local students
going on to college. The Kiwanis Car Raffle committee and
club members have made their goal every year since its
inception. Tony was steadfast for years in attending
Conversation Comrades at the Cape May Elementary school, the flag lowering ceremony, along with other duties he
took on as needed to keep the club in good order. Tony served as
club President from October 2007 through September 2008.
Read More:
Kiwanis Club of Cape May
Remembers Tony Williams
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In the history of the flag ceremony, we include
the late Vince Panzano, a devoted Kiwanian in our community. Vince
served as a second class pharmacist’s mate for 26 months aboard the USS
Quincy (CA-71) — a heavy cruiser.
Vince and the Quincy were everywhere
in the action during WWII. They bombarded enemy-held territory in both the
European and Pacific War zones. They saw action in the Normandy invasion
at Utah Beach on June 6, 1944 in support of troops in southern France.
They were
involved in the Battle of Okinawa, fought their way across the Pacific,
and entered Tokyo Bay for the surrender of Japan.
Mr. Panzano and fellow
crew members were awarded four Bronze Stars and the Victory Medal for
their service. Vince Panzano was the one of the “Greatest Generation”
who fought for our country.
Vince was an active Kiwanian and adopted our
sunset flag ceremony as his favorite project. He participated almost
every night throughout the summer months for many years. Even when he
became wheelchair bound he would appear at sunset to make sure the
ceremonies went off without a hitch.
Vince left us on November 12, 2012.
His spirit continues to reside here at the sunset end of Beach Avenue. His license plate was “June 6”.
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Cape
May Kiwanis Sunset Flag Ceremony