The weather was a cold 40 degrees on Nov. 11th for our 7th annual Veteran’s Day ceremony at the Rt. 100 Memorial Flag. It took many hands to make this a memorable day for our Veteran’s and active military. We want to “Thank” each and every one for attending, if it wasn’t for all of you we would not be afforded the freedoms that we each enjoy. We thank you for your service to our country and our community.
The Solley Cluster Girl Scouts that took over where the boy scouts left off; worked side by side with Himmels Farm & Garden & Ft. Meade Chief Petty Officers under the direction of Dotti Snyder, Retired Chief Kirk Towner, Adrienne Trout & Amanda Smith.
Northeast Vocal Ensemble under the direction of Sara DelSignor provided a wonderful array of patriotic songs throughout the ceremony. This was their 2nd year participating in the ceremony and they did a beautiful job, we thank you all.
We thank the students from Bodkin, Jacobsville & Pasadena Elementary schools for providing each veteran & active military “Thank you” cards & handmade wreaths. I will say that this was highlight of the day; I heard from several that they have the cards & wreaths proudly displayed in their homes for all to see.
We thank Rev. Henry Simon from Galilee Lutheran Church for presiding, The US Navy Honor Guard for the presentation of colors; Major Rick Barnes MD Defense Force Band for sounding “Taps” and Del. Nic Kipke for donating & paying tribute to WWII Veteran Sam Kemp (1920-2017) for his donation of the Flag, Flag Pole & Memorial Stone in 1993. Army Veteran Charlie Johns for his continued effort in keeping the area cut, trimmed & providing transport to and from the parking lot. Maher’s Florist for providing the wreath; Bay Country Rentals for the seating; Dick Parrish Design for the sound system; JB Machine for the electric & stage and Arundel Federal SB for the flags that were handed out, Paulette Morris Idea Weaver Promotions for the Veterans gifts & Vince Kelly FT Graphics for cannon signs.
We would also like to thank newcomers to the group the 29th Division Association who were instrumental in getting the 105MM Howitzers artefactual loans from the US Army; Odber Chapter Warfighters MC laying of the wreath and Colby Burl, local resident and WWII reenactor for bringing his collection of WWII & Vietnam artifacts for all to see.
Special thanks go out to County Executive Steve Schuh; Senator Brian Simonaire; Delegate Nic Kipke, Retired Scout Master Dan Demers; Dalton Nicklow Chesapeake HS & Morgan Mooney Mt. St. Joe who have been assisting the PBA with every event that we have held this year working towards their community service credits. Special thanks also to AA Co Rec. & Parks and AA Co Police for their participation.
As you can see it takes many hands to coordinate this ceremony for our community and on behalf of the flag committee Mike Jacobs JB Machine, Sandi Parrish PBA Ex. Director. Jerry Nicklow Huff Ins., Army Veteran Lois Gallagher Send out Cards & Lisa Hart Arundel Federal SB we pray for the continued safety of our military Brothers & Sisters.
Donations to the flag fund are welcome PBA Flag Fund PO BOX 861, Pasadena MD 21123-0861.
God Bless America
