Mitchelle Stephenson - For the Capital Bob Hartge, left, and Bob McLaren both served in the Merchant Marines. Both are from Galesville and came to the Galesville Heritage Society’s Veteran’s Day event to honor fellow veterans.
The American Legion Post 226 on Mayo Road in Edgewater hosted nearly two dozen veterans on Sunday for a quiet afternoon of football, free barbecue and drinks at the third annual "Football with Friends" Veterans Day event.
Three years ago, Nora Sturba, past president of the Ladies Auxiliary, decided it would be a nice gesture to invite a group of World War II veterans residing at the Charlotte Hall Veteran's Home in St. Mary's County up for an afternoon of football.
The Ladies Auxiliary had raised funds to pay for food and sodas and the veteran's home provided the transportation.
She did the same thing in 2008.
But this year, Sturba decided to expand the get together to include wounded soldiers (and their families) from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
The 1 p.m. start time coincided with the kickoff for both the Baltimore Ravens and the Washington Redskins games on Sunday.
At noon, the Charlotte Hall veterans arrived, and a little while later, the Walter Reed soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan arrived on their bus with a police escort.
Sturba arranged for the bus to be met at the Davidsonville Park and Ride and escorted to the post. Joining the police escort in greeting the bus were 52 American Legion riders - motorcycle enthusiasts who are also veterans and members of the post. The escort brought the bus the final 9 miles.
Upon arrival, the World War II veterans from Charlotte Hall were sitting outside the front door of the post saluting the soldiers.
"We didn't want to put them on display, so we didn't advertise the event beforehand. We wanted this to be a low-key day for them to come down and watch a football game and get something to eat," Sturba said.
The post provided everything.
"They didn't spend a dime, and when they tried to tip, our volunteer bartenders pushed the money back," said Marcia Moreland, bar manager.
The visiting soldiers were all injured, but most were ambulatory, some also suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Sturba said. The soldiers were grateful for the chance to take a break from the hospital setting for a low-key afternoon of fun with their families. "We didn't really discuss their wounds, or future deployments or any of that, but if they wanted to talk, we listened," Sturba said.
The Charlotte Hall veterans departed after lunch while the soldiers stayed on until about 8 p.m., with many vowing to return for future parties.
Sturba had a cast of about a dozen volunteers to help make the day a success.
Mary Richardson was one. "This was the best time I've ever had here," she said.
Galesville event
About 100 people gathered to recognize Veterans Day yesterday at the Galesville Memorial Hall on Main Street, sponsored by the Galesville Heritage Society. Jack Smith served as master of ceremonies and several members of the General Assembly attended. Speaker of the House Michael E. Busch, D-Annapolis, State Sen. John Astle, D-Annapolis, and Del. Ron George, R-Arnold each gave remarks thanking the assembled veterans for their service.
Astle talked about his service during Vietnam, and how even though he was filled with pride upon returning stateside, he wasn't given a hero's welcome. But, "of all the things I've done in my life, I am most proud of my service in the Marines," he said.
Vocalist Heidi Kammer led the audience in "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America."
"Sing loud enough so our heroes up in heaven can hear you," she said. The late Roberta Cassard, a longtime community leader, was honored with a moment of silence followed by recognition for creating many of the displays that surrounded the perimeter of the room. She was also instrumental in collecting the names and history of those Galesville residents that had served in the armed forces.
At the end of the service, Smith read off the numbers of those from the tiny hamlet that had served. In total, 170 servicemen and women have served in combat from Galesville, with an additional 15 serving in between conflicts.
The annual Veterans Day event originated about 15 years ago.
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Mitchelle Stephenson is a freelance writer living in Edgewater.
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