We remember those who sacrificed all
Each year around Memorial Day, we ask our readers to pause and remember those brave servicemen and servicewomen who gave their lives in the fight to protect and uphold our country’s freedoms. We ask you to do no less this year — and we are even doing a little bit more ourselves.
Last fall, APG of Chesapeake Media’s Southern Maryland newspapers launched the Tributes Program, which aims to honor local heroes in our community through special bonus publications themed around certain national holidays. Our first bonus edition, published around Veterans Day, paid tribute to local veterans by sharing some of their stories, and proceeds from the Mar yland Independent’s bonus edition sales were donated to Maryland Veterans Museum in Newburg.
This weekend, we announce the launch of our second Tributes publication, this time geared toward honoring those who not only fought for our country, but also gave the ultimate sacrifice in doing so. This Memorial Day edition will be delivered to our subscribers and hits newsstands tomorrow, May 28. In it, you will read about: • A Prince Frederick man who fondly remembers his twin brother, the first African-American from Calvert to be killed in combat in Vietnam;
• A Leonardtown paratrooper who died after his boat was hit by German fire while crossing a river in Holland in World War II;
• More recently, a U.S. Marine from North Beach who was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom; and
• The history behind Maryland Veterans Memorial Museum at Patriot Park in Newburg and its work to preserve the memories of those who died while serving our country.
The names and faces featured in this Memorial Day edition are just some of the individuals from Southern Maryland who, throughout our nation’s various military conflicts, gave their lives for their country and the freedoms we enjoy today. The very least we can do for our part is offer a means of recording and sharing their stories.
In addition, we plan to donate a portion of the proceeds from this special publication to the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, which has served tri-county veterans and their spouses since 1985 and offers assisted living, onsite medical services and a nursing home care program.
“Charlotte Hall Veterans Home truly depends on donations and volunteers to add that ‘special touch’ that sets us apart from other long-term care and assisted living facilities,” said Sharon Mattia, the veterans home’s director. “Through donations we have been able to provide new rehab equipment, wheelchairs, 50-inch TVs for dayrooms, an electric messaging system, dances, special meals, ballgames, fishing trips, eyeglasses, burial for indigent veterans, dental services, an outdoor covered pavilion for residents to enjoy outdoor activities . ... Our motto is ‘serving those who served.’”
So, as we enter into a three-day weekend famous for its cookouts, swimming pool openings and family gatherings, we once again ask you to reflect on the reason behind the holiday, and — if you would please take some time — to read the stories about and pay respect to some of our region’s bravest service members who never made it home.