Virtual Veterans Day ceremony to honor those who served

Virtual Veterans Day ceremony to honor those who served 

(Nov. 2, 2020) The Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation will present a virtual Veterans Day program this year, rather than hold the traditional ceremony at the memorial grounds in Ocean Pines.  

The virtual ceremony can be viewed online, here: Youtube.com/c/OceanPinesAssociation1. Links can also be found on website and social media for both the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation and the Ocean Pines Association.  

Ocean Pines also will run the ceremony on Mediacom and Comcast public access channels at 11 a.m. on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11.  

Veterans Memorial Foundation President Marie Gilmore said concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the in-person ceremony this year. 

Annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies have been a hallmark of the foundation, and Gilmore said the holiday this November is too important to pass without commemoration.  

“We have a duty and an obligation to honor our veterans, to keep their memory alive,” Gilmore said. “The mission of the Veterans Memorial Foundation is to remember and honor all those who have served, and Veterans Day is a perfect opportunity for us to do that.” 

Veterans Day ceremonies in Ocean Pines typically draw thousands of people from across the region. Because of the circumstances this year, Gilmore said a virtual ceremony was the next best thing. 

“In light of the current environment with COVID-19, rather than cancel our usual ceremony, we have chosen to put together a virtual ceremony,” she said. “The segments were recorded separately and compiled into a cohesive video by Josh Davis, the Ocean Pines Association’s marketing and public relations director.” 

The virtual ceremony includes an introduction by Gilmore, emcee duties by U.S. Air Force retired SMSgt. Mike Masterson, a keynote address by Maryland National Guard CW3 Kaylan Harrington, and performances by the Delmarva Chorus, and Eric Nilsson of American Legion Post 166.  

Additionally, American Legion Post 123 of Berlin and American Legion Post 166 of Ocean City jointly offer the posting of colors and a closing rifle volley, and a wreath ceremony honors three female veterans. 

Along with producing the virtual ceremony, Gilmore said the Veterans Memorial Foundation continues to seek funding for its education programs. In August, the foundation announced it would not hold its biggest fundraiser of the year, an annual golf tournament, also because of COVID-19 concerns.  

Educational programs each year include a tour of the memorial grounds and distribution of an educational booklet for children. Last year, more than 650 fifth graders from all Worcester County schools visited the site.  

Gilmore said it’s her hope that the program can safely resume next year.  

 “These programs were designed to educate our children about veterans and the sacrifices that they and their families made to preserve our freedoms,” she said. “We believe that’s an essential part of what the foundation does, and we hope to get back on track next year with our regular schedule, beginning in the fall. 

“We are so very grateful for the past support of people and local businesses in our community. This is a difficult time for many, but we ask, if it is still possible, that people consider making a donation to the Worcester County Memorial Foundation so we can continue our education program,” Gilmore added.  

For more information on the Memorial Foundation or to donate, visit www.opvets.org.