Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art One-half Banana Stems

Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art One-half Banana Stems - www.kevindayhoff.com Address: PO Box 124, Westminster MD 21158 410-259-6403 kevindayhoff@gmail.com Runner, writer, artist, fire & police chaplain Mindless ramblings of a runner, journalist & artist: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, technology, music, culture, opera... National & International politics www.kevindayhoff.net For community: www.kevindayhoff.org For art, technology, writing, & travel: www.kevindayhoff.com

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Westminster's Matthew Seidler among honorees at Memorial Day observance

Westminster's Matthew Seidler among honorees at Memorial Day observance
Westminster's Matthew Seidler among honorees at Memorial Day observance


Airman 1st Class Matthew Seidler, of Westminster, died in January, and will be one of seven Marylanders honored at ceremonies at the annual Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens’ Memorial Day observance, in Timonium.

By Kevin Dayhoff, kevindayhoff@gmail.com


It was less than six years ago that Matthew Seidler accepted his diploma as a member of Westminster High School's Class of 2006.

He is recalled by classmates as a good friend, serious worker and talented artist and video production student.

It was less than six months ago that Matthew Seidler was healthy, happy and pursuing a job that his family said he felt he was called to do — serving in the U.S. Air Force as a member of an elite explosive ordinance disposal squadron.

Yet this Monday, May 28, Airman 1st Class Matthew Seidler will be remembered on the first Memorial Day since his death in January, while serving his country in Afghanistan.


The Westminster native will be one of seven Marylanders honored at ceremonies at the annual Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens' Memorial Day observance, in Timonium, an event that traditionally pays tribute to Marylanders who have fallen in the line of duty over the past year… http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/neighborhoods/westminster/ph-ce-seidler-memorial-0527-20120523,0,4272840.story


++++++++++++++++++++++++++

For #Memorial Day, we recall Air National Guard Lt. Col. Sherman E. Flanagan Jr loss in #Vietnam http://tinyurl.com/c52g3sk

Eagle Archive: For Memorial Day, we recall a fallen soldier who made sure we remembered others


On Monday, May 28, Carroll County will mark its 145th annual observance of Memorial Day with an expanded parade and ceremonies at the Westminster Cemetery.

In 1967, our community noted the 100th anniversary of Westminster's Memorial Day observances. According to local historian Jay Graybeal, who wrote about the occasion for the Historical Society of Carroll County in 1997, "Participants came from sixteen states and one newspaper estimated that the crowd numbered 15,000 people."

Ironically and tragically, it was just one year after that centennial celebration that Air National Guard Lt. Col. Sherman E. Flanagan Jr., 38, a Westminster attorney — and a member of the 100th anniversary committee — was shot down and killed while flying a mission over the Demilitarized Zone in Vietnam on July 21, 1968. He was flying an F-100 "Super Sabre" jet fighter at the time of his death.

According to an article in The Baltimore Sun's Carroll County edition, "Flanagan was believed to be the first Guardsman to die in Vietnam who was called to duty during that period." … http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/news/ph-ce-eagle-archive-0527-20120526,0,2171783.story#tugs_story_display

For #Memorial Day, we recall Air National Guard Lt. Col. Sherman E. Flanagan Jr loss in #Vietnam



For #Memorial Day, we recall Air National Guard Lt. Col. Sherman E. Flanagan Jr loss in #Vietnam http://tinyurl.com/c52g3sk

+++++++++++++

Eagle Archive: Wampler's life of service made him an apt participant on #Westminster #Memorial Day http://tinyurl.com/7vojfmx


Atlee Wampler was a tall man who maintained a military bearing forged in heavy combat throughout WWII, all his life

Wampler served as the #Westminster #Carroll Co #Memorial Day parade marshall from 1947 until his death in 1991 http://tinyurl.com/7vojfmx


On May 28, Carroll County and Westminster will mark the 145th observance of Memorial Day with an expanded parade and three-days of activities — thanks to all the hard work of American Legion Carroll Post No. 31 and leaders like Skip Amass, coordinator of this year's activities.

The tradition of the parade and ceremony in Westminster began in 1868, when Mary Bostwick Shellman followed General John A. Logan's May 5, 1868, General Order No. 11 — which called upon people to adorn the graves of Union soldiers with flowers.

She gathered a group of schoolchildren for that task, and they walked from the old schoolhouse on Center Street to Westminster Cemetery.

As with all the many stories in Carroll, the hands and hearts of countless individuals and community organizations have guided and nurtured the observances over the years. The list is long and celebrated.

However, one of the names historically synonymous with Memorial Day is particularly worthy of note — Atlee Willis Wampler Jr… READ MORE: http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/news/ph-ce-eagle-archive-0520-20120519,0,5649787.story



+++++++++++++++++


Recently on Explore Carroll and Eagle Archives - by Kevin Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/7q46ksr



[20120526 To those who serve thank you] http://tinyurl.com/7q46ksr
+++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Reflections on #Memorial Day by Kevin E. Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/br3hams The Tentacle Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The Tentacle Wednesday, May 23, 2012 Reflections on #Memorial Day by Kevin E. Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/br3hams



+++++++++++++++++


Recently on Explore Carroll and Eagle Archives - by Kevin Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/7q46ksr



[20120526 To those who serve thank you] http://tinyurl.com/7q46ksr

To those who serve thank you http://tinyurl.com/7q46ksr

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Reflections on #Memorial Day by Kevin E. Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/br3hams The Tentacle Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The Tentacle Wednesday, May 23, 2012 Reflections on #Memorial Day by Kevin E. Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/br3hams



Next Monday is Memorial Day. For many it is more than a holiday, it is a day when we gather as a community to express our gratitude to our country’s men and women in uniform, who by their sacrifice cannot be with us to enjoy the day… http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=5122

This year, Westminster and Carroll County will mark its 145th observance of Memorial Day with an expanded parade and four-days of activities.

The tradition of the parade and ceremony in Westminster began in 1868, when Mary Bostwick Shellman followed General John A. Logan’s May 5, 1868, General Order No. 11 to adorn the graves of Union soldiers with flowers. She gathered a group of schoolchildren for the task and they walked from the old schoolhouse on Center Street to Westminster Cemetery.

[…]

Last week I wrote about a local community leader, Atlee Willis Wampler, Jr., who served as the Westminster Memorial Day parade marshal for more than 44 years, from just after World War II until he passed away March 11, 1991.

[…]

That said, I have grown exhausted with the gut-wrenching existentialism and overwhelming fatigue that accompanies covering military funerals for the paper.

I was quite struck by a May 6 article in The Washington Post by Ian Shapira, “Barbara Robbins: A slain CIA secretary’s life and death,” about a little-known Vietnam War casualty from a bombing that occurred in Saigon March 30, 1965.

According to the article, “The CIA director revealed only a few details about the 21-year-old woman, a secretary among spies. In the agency’s annual memorial service for employees killed on the job, then-Director Leon E. Panetta announced that a new name had been inscribed with calligraphy inside the CIA’s Book of Honor: Barbara Annette Robbins, who had volunteered to go to Saigon during the Vietnam War…

[…]

The story of Ms. Robbins is compelling and evocative. Yet for me, what I found particularly haunting was the black and white picture of a very young American, in a far-off land, defending our freedoms, staring right at us.


The Tentacle Wednesday, May 23, 2012 Reflections on #Memorial Day by Kevin E. Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/br3hams




++++++++++++++++++++++

'Skip' Amass leads the charge for Westminster's 145th Memorial Day observance


Keeping the focus on community, service ... and good weather



Not long after the sun comes up on Memorial Day, and hours before Westminster's 145th Memorial Day parade kicks off at 9:30 a.m., Arnold "Skip" Amass will be on site, helping set up the TV cameras and tying up last-minute loose ends.

Most of all, he'll be praying for good weather during an event that he's been busy planning almost from the moment that last year's 144th Memorial Day parade wrapped up.

"To give you some idea of the scope of this project, the committee that's working on this with me has about 145 people on it," said Amass, who for the past 15 years has also been the voice of the parade, providing commentary for Carroll County's public access TV channel 19's live coverage of the event.

This is the first year he's taken on the far more demanding role of principal coordinator.


"The people on the committee, who meet at the American Legion, represent just about every organization and every government in the county, including the library, the farm museum, the police departments," said Amass, 80, himself a Korean War veteran and long-time member of Westminster's Carroll Post 31 American Legion Post… http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/ph-ce-skip-amass-0604-20120523,0,1578592,full.story

+++++++++

#Westminster 2012 #Memorial Day Celebration Calendar of Events - 145th Anniversary

Westminster 2012 Memorial Day Celebration
Calendar of Events - 145th Anniversary

Saturday, May 26

* 9 a.m.-2 p.m. -Antique car show on the City of Westminster parking lot in front of City Hall, Longwell Avenue, Westminster. Entries by the AACA Gettysburg Region Antique Car Club, the Street Cars of Desire and the Free State Corvette Club.

* Noon-5 p.m. - Carroll County Farm Museum - Military reenactors depicting the life and times of soldiers during the War of 1812, the Civil War, World War I, WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Kuwait and other conflicts. There will be demonstrations and displays and encampments. Also jeep rides for kids and a rock climbing wall. Free admission to events.

* 3 p.m. - Carroll County Farm Museum - music concert featuring the Westminster Municipal Band and the Old Line Statesmen Barbershop Group.

* 4-7 p.m. - Fried chicken dinner and entertainment at the VFW Post, 519 Poole Road. Cost is $8 adults; $5 children ages 3 to 8. For tickets, call 410-848-9888, Ext. 1, or Deb Carns at 443-677-0361.

* 7-11 p.m. - Heroes Dance at the VFW Post. Ticket $5; call 410-848-9888, Ext. 1, or 443-677-0361.

Sunday, May 27

* Noon-5 p.m. -Events at the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St., Westminster, continue with 20th century military reenactors, jeep rides and a rock climbing wall. Free admission to events.

* 3 p.m. - Band concert at the Carroll County Farm Museum featuring the Winters Mill High School Band and Joe and Audrey Cimino performing patriotic songs.

Monday, May 28

* 9:30 a.m.-Noon -145th Memorial Day Parade, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Main Street to the Westminster Cemetery. At the conclusion of the parade observance held at the cemetery with comments by grand marshal Commander Matthew Shipley, USN.

* 2 p.m. - Memorial Day service at VFW Post, 519 Poole Road, with guest speaker, retired Army Chaplain Col. Joel Cocklin, a Westminster native who graduated from Westminster High School in 1965. Also an open house, refreshments and special music. Call 443-677-0361 for details.

#Westminster 2012 #Memorial Day Celebration Calendar of Events - 145th Anniversary



++++++++++++

Memorial Day 2012 by Maryland State Senator Joe Getty

Westminster's 145th Consecutive Celebration
Marylanders for Joe Getty
May 26, 2012



+++++++++++

+++++++++++++++
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoffTwitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff
Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net

Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
+++++++++++++++

The well-used historic Westminster playground enjoys a slow sleepy southern day

All reports r Westminster city govt been gr8 to work with 4 prep 4 #Memorial Day

The #Westminster Cemetery the day before the 145th #Memorial Day observances

1st LT John William Murray Virginia Confederate States Army 29JE1963 Corbit's

Detail of Legh Master tomb stone Westminster Maryland

The tomb of Legh Master March 22 1796 late of New Hall Lancashire England

Carroll County Maryland Court House the day before #Memorial Day

The executive committee of the Hoff Barn project of CC Farm Museum is recognized

CDR Shipley tomorrow's #Memorial Day parade marshall Westminster is Farm Museum

Communion the Sunday before #Memorial Day at Grace Lutheran Church Westminster

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime® 6.5 or higher is required.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

For #Memorial Day, we recall Air National Guard Lt. Col. Sherman E. Flanagan Jr loss in #Vietnam


Eagle Archive: For Memorial Day, we recall a fallen soldier who made sure we remembered others

By Kevin Dayhoff, May 26, 2012 http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/news/ph-ce-eagle-archive-0527-20120526,0,2171783.story#tugs_story_display


In 1967, our community noted the 100th anniversary of Westminster's Memorial Day observances. According to local historian Jay Graybeal, who wrote about the occasion for the Historical Society of Carroll County in 1997, "Participants came from sixteen states and one newspaper estimated that the crowd numbered 15,000 people."

Ironically and tragically, it was just one year after that centennial celebration that Air National Guard Lt. Col. Sherman E. Flanagan Jr., 38, a Westminster attorney — and a member of the 100th anniversary committee — was shot down and killed while flying a mission over the Demilitarized Zone in Vietnam on July 21, 1968. He was flying an F-100 "Super Sabre" jet fighter at the time of his death.

According to an article in The Baltimore Sun's Carroll County edition, "Flanagan was believed to be the first Guardsman to die in Vietnam who was called to duty during that period." … http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/news/ph-ce-eagle-archive-0527-20120526,0,2171783.story#tugs_story_display

For #Memorial Day, we recall Air National Guard Lt. Col. Sherman E. Flanagan Jr loss in #Vietnam

Eagle Archive: Wampler's life of service made him an apt participant on #Westminster #Memorial Day http://tinyurl.com/7vojfmx


Atlee Wampler was a tall man who maintained a military bearing forged in heavy combat throughout WWII, all his life

Wampler served as the #Westminster #Carroll Co #Memorial Day parade marshall from 1947 until his death in 1991 http://tinyurl.com/7vojfmx


On May 28, Carroll County and Westminster will mark the 145th observance of Memorial Day with an expanded parade and three-days of activities — thanks to all the hard work of American Legion Carroll Post No. 31 and leaders like Skip Amass, coordinator of this year's activities.

The tradition of the parade and ceremony in Westminster began in 1868, when Mary Bostwick Shellman followed General John A. Logan's May 5, 1868, General Order No. 11 — which called upon people to adorn the graves of Union soldiers with flowers.

She gathered a group of schoolchildren for that task, and they walked from the old schoolhouse on Center Street to Westminster Cemetery.

As with all the many stories in Carroll, the hands and hearts of countless individuals and community organizations have guided and nurtured the observances over the years. The list is long and celebrated.

However, one of the names historically synonymous with Memorial Day is particularly worthy of note — Atlee Willis Wampler Jr… READ MORE: http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/news/ph-ce-eagle-archive-0520-20120519,0,5649787.story



+++++++++++++++++


Recently on Explore Carroll and Eagle Archives - by Kevin Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/7q46ksr



[20120526 To those who serve thank you] http://tinyurl.com/7q46ksr
+++++++++++++++++

Reflections on #Memorial Day by Kevin E. Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/br3hams The Tentacle Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The Tentacle Wednesday, May 23, 2012 Reflections on #Memorial Day by Kevin E. Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/br3hams



+++++++++++++++++


Recently on Explore Carroll and Eagle Archives - by Kevin Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/7q46ksr



[20120526 To those who serve thank you] http://tinyurl.com/7q46ksr

To those who serve thank you http://tinyurl.com/7q46ksr

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Reflections on #Memorial Day by Kevin E. Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/br3hams The Tentacle Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The Tentacle Wednesday, May 23, 2012 Reflections on #Memorial Day by Kevin E. Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/br3hams



Next Monday is Memorial Day. For many it is more than a holiday, it is a day when we gather as a community to express our gratitude to our country’s men and women in uniform, who by their sacrifice cannot be with us to enjoy the day… http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=5122

This year, Westminster and Carroll County will mark its 145th observance of Memorial Day with an expanded parade and four-days of activities.

The tradition of the parade and ceremony in Westminster began in 1868, when Mary Bostwick Shellman followed General John A. Logan’s May 5, 1868, General Order No. 11 to adorn the graves of Union soldiers with flowers. She gathered a group of schoolchildren for the task and they walked from the old schoolhouse on Center Street to Westminster Cemetery.

[…]

Last week I wrote about a local community leader, Atlee Willis Wampler, Jr., who served as the Westminster Memorial Day parade marshal for more than 44 years, from just after World War II until he passed away March 11, 1991.

[…]

That said, I have grown exhausted with the gut-wrenching existentialism and overwhelming fatigue that accompanies covering military funerals for the paper.

I was quite struck by a May 6 article in The Washington Post by Ian Shapira, “Barbara Robbins: A slain CIA secretary’s life and death,” about a little-known Vietnam War casualty from a bombing that occurred in Saigon March 30, 1965.

According to the article, “The CIA director revealed only a few details about the 21-year-old woman, a secretary among spies. In the agency’s annual memorial service for employees killed on the job, then-Director Leon E. Panetta announced that a new name had been inscribed with calligraphy inside the CIA’s Book of Honor: Barbara Annette Robbins, who had volunteered to go to Saigon during the Vietnam War…

[…]

The story of Ms. Robbins is compelling and evocative. Yet for me, what I found particularly haunting was the black and white picture of a very young American, in a far-off land, defending our freedoms, staring right at us.


The Tentacle Wednesday, May 23, 2012 Reflections on #Memorial Day by Kevin E. Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/br3hams




++++++++++++++++++++++

'Skip' Amass leads the charge for Westminster's 145th Memorial Day observance


Keeping the focus on community, service ... and good weather



Not long after the sun comes up on Memorial Day, and hours before Westminster's 145th Memorial Day parade kicks off at 9:30 a.m., Arnold "Skip" Amass will be on site, helping set up the TV cameras and tying up last-minute loose ends.

Most of all, he'll be praying for good weather during an event that he's been busy planning almost from the moment that last year's 144th Memorial Day parade wrapped up.

"To give you some idea of the scope of this project, the committee that's working on this with me has about 145 people on it," said Amass, who for the past 15 years has also been the voice of the parade, providing commentary for Carroll County's public access TV channel 19's live coverage of the event.

This is the first year he's taken on the far more demanding role of principal coordinator.


"The people on the committee, who meet at the American Legion, represent just about every organization and every government in the county, including the library, the farm museum, the police departments," said Amass, 80, himself a Korean War veteran and long-time member of Westminster's Carroll Post 31 American Legion Post… http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/ph-ce-skip-amass-0604-20120523,0,1578592,full.story

+++++++++

#Westminster 2012 #Memorial Day Celebration Calendar of Events - 145th Anniversary

Westminster 2012 Memorial Day Celebration
Calendar of Events - 145th Anniversary

Saturday, May 26

* 9 a.m.-2 p.m. -Antique car show on the City of Westminster parking lot in front of City Hall, Longwell Avenue, Westminster. Entries by the AACA Gettysburg Region Antique Car Club, the Street Cars of Desire and the Free State Corvette Club.

* Noon-5 p.m. - Carroll County Farm Museum - Military reenactors depicting the life and times of soldiers during the War of 1812, the Civil War, World War I, WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Kuwait and other conflicts. There will be demonstrations and displays and encampments. Also jeep rides for kids and a rock climbing wall. Free admission to events.

* 3 p.m. - Carroll County Farm Museum - music concert featuring the Westminster Municipal Band and the Old Line Statesmen Barbershop Group.

* 4-7 p.m. - Fried chicken dinner and entertainment at the VFW Post, 519 Poole Road. Cost is $8 adults; $5 children ages 3 to 8. For tickets, call 410-848-9888, Ext. 1, or Deb Carns at 443-677-0361.

* 7-11 p.m. - Heroes Dance at the VFW Post. Ticket $5; call 410-848-9888, Ext. 1, or 443-677-0361.

Sunday, May 27

* Noon-5 p.m. -Events at the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St., Westminster, continue with 20th century military reenactors, jeep rides and a rock climbing wall. Free admission to events.

* 3 p.m. - Band concert at the Carroll County Farm Museum featuring the Winters Mill High School Band and Joe and Audrey Cimino performing patriotic songs.

Monday, May 28

* 9:30 a.m.-Noon -145th Memorial Day Parade, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Main Street to the Westminster Cemetery. At the conclusion of the parade observance held at the cemetery with comments by grand marshal Commander Matthew Shipley, USN.

* 2 p.m. - Memorial Day service at VFW Post, 519 Poole Road, with guest speaker, retired Army Chaplain Col. Joel Cocklin, a Westminster native who graduated from Westminster High School in 1965. Also an open house, refreshments and special music. Call 443-677-0361 for details.

#Westminster 2012 #Memorial Day Celebration Calendar of Events - 145th Anniversary



++++++++++++

Memorial Day 2012 by Maryland State Senator Joe Getty

Westminster's 145th Consecutive Celebration
Marylanders for Joe Getty
May 26, 2012



+++++++++++
 Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/ “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

#Memorial Day 2012 by Maryland State Senator Joe Getty


Westminster's 145th Consecutive Celebration
Marylanders for Joe Getty
May 26, 2012



This Monday, May 28, I will attend the Catherine A. Mulliken Memorial Run/Walk sponsored by Catherine's Cause and the Lineboro-Manchester Lions Club. This is the 8th annual event in memory of Cathy who at age 20 was tragically killed by a drunk driver. The run/walk begins at 10 a.m. at the Manchester Pool on Victory Street.

Later in the morning, I will catch up to the Memorial Day celebration in Westminster. The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Main Street. I will likely miss most of the parade but hope to attend the ceremony in the Westminster cemetery and visit the grave of my Civil War ancestor, Capt. Thomas Ocker.

Other events are scheduled throughout the weekend in Westminster and are listed below. Also printed below is my Northern News column from May 24, 2012:
  
WESTMINSTER'S 145TH MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION
  
The 145th celebration of Memorial Day will be held this weekend in Westminster. Veterans' organizations will be hosting a series of events in commemoration of this long-standing continuous tradition since 1868.

Known originally as "Decoration Day," the first Westminster observance was organized in 1868 by Mary Bostwick Shellman who led a children's parade to decorate the graves of Civil War veterans in the Westminster Cemetery. This year's festivities have been coordinated by American Legion Post 31 with Korean War veteran Arnold "Skip" Amass as chairman of the organizing committee of over 150 volunteers.

My great-great-uncle, Thomas Ocker, was one of the Union casualties from Westminster whose grave was decorated at that first "Decoration Day." In fact, my great-grandfather H. Scott Roop may have participated in that first children's parade as a six-year-old. He was the nephew of Capt. Ocker by virtue of being the son of Ocker's sister, Henrietta Ocker Roop.

Ocker served with many local men who volunteered for service in the Union Army with the 6th Regiment, Maryland Volunteer Infantry. He mustered in on August 18, 1862 as a private and received a series of promotions until 1865 when he was mortally wounded on April 2 during the Petersburg Campaign. Ocker survived the surrender of General Robert E. Lee on April 9 at Appomattox but died twenty-five days later on May 4, 1865.

His body was returned home for burial in the Westminster Cemetery. A worn and eroded inscription remains on the white obelisk monument that stands only a hundred feet from where this year's memorial service will be held after the parade on Monday.

Ocker's nephew and my great-grandfather, H. Scott Roop, grew up in Westminster and ran several local businesses. He married Kate McCollum who was a citizen activist engaged in many progressive movements of the early 20thcentury including the women's right to vote. Their son, Harold S. Roop, served with other Westminster servicemen during World War I as part of the U.S. Army's 29th Division, Company C, 112 Machine Gun Battalion.

In the archives of the Historical Society of Carroll County is a poem written by Kate McCollum Roop as a patriotic call to support those called to duty and serving overseas during World War I.

As we honor our veterans and especially our fallen heroes on Memorial Day 2012, I offer my great-grandmother's World War I poem as words of remembrance for those who have served and those who continue to serve our country:

Maryland, My Maryland

We'll all be soldiers everywhere,
In Maryland, My Maryland,
Sure everyone will do his share,
In Maryland, My Maryland.
The Khaki or the Blue we'll wear
To Toll for hours, we must in air,
To save our land, our soil prepare,
In Maryland, My Maryland.

With plow and rake, with pick and hoe,
In Maryland, My Maryland.
Out to the yards and fields we'll go,
In Maryland, My Maryland,
Yes, dig and plant the test we know,
And all the seeds, we have we'll sow,
For Uncle Sam they'll surely grow,
In Maryland, My Maryland.

Our work at home will have no end,
In Maryland, My Maryland,
Till all our strength and time we spend,
In Maryland, My Maryland.
On fields and Trench we must depend,
Our Boys in War our cause defend
While we in turn our food must send,
In Maryland, My Maryland.
  
Our Victory won through days of stress,
In Maryland, My Maryland.
Her freedom then we will possess,
In Maryland, My Maryland.
Then to her Sons we'll shout success
And Welcome home with tenderness,
Assured that God will greatly bless,
Our Maryland, Dear Maryland.

KATE McCOLLUM ROOP 

++++++++
[20120526 Memorial Day 2012 by Joe Getty]

See also: #Westminster 2012 #Memorial Day Celebration Calendar of Events - 145th Anniversary http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2012/05/westminster-2012-memorial-day.html

*****
 Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/ “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10