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Daughters of the American Revolution Support Local Troops

During a monthly meeting at the Lamky Luther Whitehead Veterans Memorial in Middle River, the group recognized those who were injured or killed in the line of duty.

The local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held its monthly meeting Saturday, April 16, at the Lamky Luther Whitehead Veterans Memorial (LLW Memorial) at Holly Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Middle River.

The meeting provided the organization the opportunity to honor local troops who were injured or died while protecting the United States.

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was founded in 1890.  It is headquartered in Washington as a nonprofit, non-political women’s volunteer service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children.

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Mary Freyer, Regent of the Soldiers Delight -Thomas Johnson Chapter of the Maryland State Society Daughters of the American Revolution, explained this patriotic group of women supports our troops just as their predecessors have done since the Revolutionary War. The group often goes to BWI Airport to welcome home returning men and women who have served overseas, most recently those serving in the war zones in the Middle East.

Also in attendance at Saturday's meeting in Middle River were Honorary State Regent Elizabeth Ann Musgrove, Vice State Regent Linda Corinne Mistler and Regent Linda Marlene Noll, Benjamin Bradford Norris Chapter. The group laid two wreaths at the memorial's center to honor those who have served.

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Boy Scout Troops 117 and 355 did the honors of Presentation of Colors. Each troop rounded the monuments to raise the flags, and the Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance. DAR members recited The American’s Creed and the preamble to the Constitution. Barbara Thomas sang the national anthem.

Dianne Keatley, representative of Holly Hills Memorial Gardens, welcomed everyone to the memorial and expressed best wishes to all who serve in some way. Al Clasing, president emeritus of the LLW Memorial, thanked Keatley and the Holly Hills staff for their cooperation and generosity in maintaining the site before giving a brief overview of the memorial’s history.

Former District 7 state senate candidate Rebecca Weir Nelson then joined me in reading the names engraved on the Star Spangled Banner Memorial honoring those who were recently added to the monument. Nelson then presented Clasing with a citation from County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, which recognized Clasing's  service to the men and women who have served their country.

There was also U.S. flag donated specially inscribed to honor the wounded warriors who have served their country. It is believed to be the first such flag in the United States dedicated to the men and women who are injured in combat.

Chairman of the Board of the LLW Memorial Delmar Dickson invited all veterans in attendance to step forward, introducing them by name, unit and war. Men stepped forward representing World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraqi Freedom.

Former District 6 House of Delegates candidate Ric Metzgar, an ordained minister, opened the meeting with a prayer, and Emily Marshall concluded with a benediction before Thomas led the crowd in singing “God Bless America” as all surrounded the monument, hand-in-hand.

The next program at the memorial will be on May 30. Scouts and those gathering for the Parade of Colors will meet at 9 a.m. The program will begin at approximately 10 a.m. 

All veterans’ graves will be marked with a U.S. flag. In the past, Scouts worked diligently to place luminaries across the field representing each name on the monuments. These efforts are planned again this year.  All Scout troops are invited to participate in these ceremonies.

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