The Local Source for News and Information Since 1980
CAMBRIDGE – Several members of Mannie Scott American Legion Post 193 in Denton journeyed to Cambridge to begin a new chapter for a new generation of military veterans.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore also made the Nov. 11 trip to Cambridge to help present a $10,000 grant to Post 193, which will be used to begin planning a new building and eventually renovating the nearly 70-year-old Post home at 22909 Saathoff Road.
Accompanied by several members of Post 193, Post Commander Jerome Burton attended a Veterans Day breakfast hosted by American Legion Post 91.
“I feel pretty good,” Burton said. “(The grant) gives us some kind of leeway” to start the planning process on the 4-acre property.
Post member Bradley Pierce, who is currently serving in the Army, said, “I think the grant is amazing.”
U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Anthony Woods, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families, announced the grant is one of three $10,000 grants awarded from the Maryland Veteran Trust Fund.
The crowd of well over 100 attendees included U.S. Rep. Andy Harris (R-1st), a Post 91 member; Post 91 Commander and former State Sen. Rich Colburn (R-37); former Secretary of Natural Resources Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio; Del. Tom Hutchinson (R-37B); former state American Legion Commander Ruth Higgins of Talbot Post 70; Maryland National Guard Assistant Adjutant General, Army Brigadier General Andrew Collins; and American Legion Department of Maryland Commander David Heredia.
In a brief address, Heredia reminded attendees, who represented several Eastern Shore American Legion Posts, of the history of Veterans Day and that members of the U.S. Armed Forces “consistently rise to meet every challenge.”
“Let us remember that Veterans Day is not only a day of solemn remembrance, but also one of gratitude and celebration,” Heredia said. “We celebrate the spirit of service that unites all veterans, past and present, and recommit ourselves to ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten.”
Moore delivered a heartfelt speech without notes and received a standing ovation, as did Heredia.
A retired Army captain who served in the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan, Moore listed his administration’s efforts to help veterans and their families. “Our ethos is to leave no one behind – ever,” he said.
“Those aren't talking points. It's how our society needs to function. It's who we stand up for,” he said. “And I think it's especially important, especially necessary right now, where we know we are dealing with a society – of this unbelievable divisiveness – a society where people aren't speaking to each other, aren't learning about each other, aren't learning their histories.”
Moore said a “beauty in the military culture” is overlooking the political affiliations of comrades-in-arms “because it didn't matter.”
He told the story of his minister grandfather who gave him a pocket New Testament and four words he tucked into his flak vest: “Have faith, not fear.”
“We fought for each other, we believed in each other, and we had a sole goal: make sure they got home,” he said.
Moore’s aim is to “make this the best state in the country for military veterans,” he said.
Woods said “leaving no one behind” is the “governing philosophy” of the department he oversees.
“I know (Gov. Moore) means all Marylanders, but if you look at the investments that we have made in supporting our veterans here at State, the growth of our department, the growth of our budget, the investments we've been willing and able to make, and to protecting and taking care of our veterans is actually truly incredible, and it shows that we have a real champion who gets it serving at the top of the State,” Woods said.
