Individual family members were on the minds of some. For others it was the fact that serving in the Armed Forces means: “Some gave all and all gave some.” The annual Memorial Day service at American Legion Post 255 in Ridge drew what many said was the largest crowd ever. They witnessed the first-ever Ridge Ramblers for Vets motorcycle ride down Route 5 before the formal ceremony.
Guest speaker Patuxent NAS Commander Capt. Ted Mills said he would never have thought when he joined the Navy 25 years ago that during half of that time the country would have been at war. He noted that many of the men and women he served with lost their lives during that time in combat.
Congressman Steny Hoyer (D: 5th) noted it was the 50th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War and asked everyone to remember those who served there, “Those who didn’t receive the honor and praise they should have received.”
Delegate John Bohanan (D: 29B) said in his remarks that a great uncle, Joseph Bohanan was killed during World War II and is buried in France. Post Commander Skip Disharoon also remarked about the number of cemeteries around the world that have American heroes buried in them.
Captain Mills also noted the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the impact that war had along the shores of St. Mary’s County. He said recently one of the sailors who served at the base’s inception almost 70 years ago, recently revisited the base. He said that man was one of the “plank owners” of the base. He said by analogy, “The people of St. Mary’s County are plank owners of the freedom in the United States.”
The following are prepared remarks from Rep. Hoyer: “Today we pause to remember the fallen – the brave men and women who gave all to protect this nation and our values.
“From the first shots at Lexington to the charges at Antietam, from the beaches of Normandy to the jungles of Vietnam – heroism and sacrifice have been their enduring example.
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