(11/20) The Town of Walkersville honored their local veterans on the Sunday before Veterans’ Day this year, coming together for a service planned by the Walkersville Veterans Committee at Memorial Park. By 1 pm, nearly 200 locals joined at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Main Street, filling all the chairs set out by staff and forming a crowd around the intersection. Don Schildt, the President of the WVC, began the event with a warm welcome and the Shangri-La Detachment Marine Corps League retired the flag.

The Veterans Committee conducted a wreath laying, followed by an honorable acknowledgement of Kiwanis Club members by Commissioner Tom Gilbert. The Kiwanis Club of Walkersville constructed the War Memorial Monument on May 31, 1981. The project cost about $6000 then, equivalent to just under $20,000 today. The cost was paid in part by local businesses sharing their support and contributing donations, as well as individuals from around the community. Sometime later, Walkersville government officials formally named the park "Memorial Park". The Glen W. Eyler Post 282 donated the flagpole that was installed by Walkersville Kiwanians. It now plays an instrumental role in the memorial display, and it has become tradition to retire and replace the flag at every Veteran’s Day service and any time they are damaged.

Ron Layman, a retired US Marine who served active duty from 1966 and 1969, spoke about what it means to be a wartime veteran, touching the hearts of many in the crowd. Kathy Sixx of the Veterans Committee noted that community members had requested for Mr. Layman to speak for several years now, but that he was only ready to share this year. Layman reflected on the request, stating that it took over a month of consideration after Don Schildt made the offer for him to speak at the service. "There’s some things even your own family doesn’t get to know," Layman said. In his speech, he shared memories of three close friends he knew during his service, of which two had given the ‘ultimate sacrifice’.

Layman spoke to the veterans in the crowd like an old friend, noting that they shared a bond that was difficult to explain. "They could be wearing the same uniform as me, been deployed in the same place at the same time as me, and still have a different experience. But it comes down to one thing—we’ve all been shot at" he added.

Burgess Chad Weddle and the commissioners also distributed flags to each veteran by branch of military. The crowd passed around more flags to be raised while the crowd sang "God Bless the USA" in unison. Flowers were distributed to veterans by Rhonda Ramsburg and Debbie Wallace of the Veterans Committee.

Mr. Shildt also shared a remembrance tribute for those involved in the conflicts with Afghanistan. "This compares to the Vietnam War 50 years ago in Saigon. It’s difficult to believe it was virtually the same scenario happening again in Kabul, losing thousands of lives, and demoralizing our veterans who served." He continued, "Let us hope and pray that whenever our nation enters into another conflict, either on foreign soil or here in America, that our leaders in Washington give our military men and women the power to defend our nation and hold their heads high with honor for serving our country."

Pastor Ken Mitchell of the Immanuel Temple of Praise Church in Walkersville concluded the service with a group prayer. "The highlight of this here is that when we get to go up here and have a meal together and come together once again" he said, in reference to the meal the Veterans Committee hosted at the Walkersville United Methodist Church. The sit-down meal allowed veterans and their families to share support and understanding while enjoying the company of a community coming together. "We’ve got a character that sticks with us until we leave this Earth—and long live our character," Mitchell added.

Just as Walkersville supported local veterans two days early this year, Woodsboro community members gathered two days after the holiday for a service by the Glen W. Eyler Post 282, the Woodsboro American Legion.

The American Legion held a Veterans Day buffet free to all veterans and with proceeds from the meals going toward a scholarship fund for Walkersville High School students and the other veterans related services the Legion holds. Many there had been personally invited by Dwight Reynolds, including Buck Musser and Robert Dozier, who frequent the Brunswick Legion but travel out multiple times a year for these special events. "This is our family," said Buck, before Robert added, "we put up with each other." Musser’s artwork is hung in American Legions all along the East Coast, including the Woodsboro Legion. Both men shared the importance of inclusion between Legions and the familial atmosphere the members create, especially during these public events where prospective members can see what it’s like to get involved.

When asked why it’s so important that these events be open to the community, Reynolds explained, "we have respect for all veterans. I want them to know this is for them, there is no better benefit for us than to see them enjoying themselves. It’s what we’re here for."

The Legion staff focuses on creating a welcoming environment and a fellowship of support. During the event, Reynolds initiated a circle of handholding as the crowd began to sing "God Bless America." The dinner also included a meat raffle with spiral ham, a hand-crafted wooden American flag raffle, and a door prize gift for veterans. The club filled quickly, with many veterans and their families settling in the dining hall. Reynolds noted that the Legion may need to host the event on both floors next year, utilizing the second kitchen and dining spaces, as they expect turnout to continue growing.

"After so many years of hosting these events, you get to know what people want and what they like," said Reynolds. The Legion does just that, as they have not only grown in membership in the past several years, but they have also seen an increase in eventgoers. Dwight estimated about a 20% growth in attendees over last yea’s veteran’s buffet.

Glenn W. Eyler Post 282 was chartered in 1962 by local World War II and Korean War veterans who wanted a voice in securing the benefits and services earned through their military service. The memorial monument and flagpoles are named after Glenn W. Eyler, a Woodsboro native killed in combat in Europe during World War II. The Post 282 Legion Family consists of the American Legion for eligible veterans, the American Legion Auxiliary for spouses and female descendants of those veterans, and the Sons of the American Legion for male descendants.

The Post 282 Legion Family has grown from its early beginnings to over 1,400 members today, but new members are constantly recruited. "Our strength is in our numbers and veteran members are passing away at an alarming rate. Any eligible veteran who is not a Legion member should consider joining for their own benefit and for fellow veterans as well", Reynolds said. "Just because veterans are granted benefits and services by law, doesn't mean they will receive them. I have had many veterans contact me in the past year with issues and/or questions regarding the benefits they have earned, and the Legion has the resources to get them the information and help they require," he added.

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.