Aberdeen Celebrates Memorial Day: Never Forget Those Who Have Sacrificed

Aberdeen veterans organizations collaborated on Monday for a Memorial Day ceremony to honor all veterans “living and dead of all wars," according to the event's program. 

The ceremony was sponsored by four Aberdeen veterans organizations: the American Legion Bernard L. Tobin Post 128, the Aberdeen Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10028, Fitzgerald-Moore Catholic War Veterans Post 1841 and Korean War Veterans Chapter 271.

Col. Andrew B. Nelson of the U.S. Army Garrison at Aberdeen Proving Ground, who was the guest speaker for the occasion, said the ceremony was a small part of the time devoted to those who are still missing and others who died in the line of duty.

“Thousands of our brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers have joined the ranks of the honored since our current conflicts began,” said Nelson, who is an Army engineer in charge of base realignment and closure issues at APG. “Many were our best and brightest, men and women who would have been honoring the fallen today instead of being among them, had they not made the choice to serve and fight.”

Wreaths were placed in Aberdeen Veterans Memorial Park to honor soldiers of the past, present and future. There was also a wreath laid to honor veterans of homeland defense.

“We do this because we know that our war fighters come from all parts of our country, so all parts of our country feel the pain of their loss,” Nelson said. “I know that you will keep our warriors and their families in your thoughts and prayers after we finish our ceremony here today. I trust that your voices will be among those that keep the needs of our warriors, our veterans and their families from slipping from our attention as they too often slip off the front page or the nightly news.”

More than 100 people from Aberdeen and the surrounding area gathered under sunny skies and took shelter under trees as Nelson and others paid tribute.

“It has been noted before that soldiers go to war for their countries, but they die for their friends in the foxhole with them,” Nelson said. “I feel safe in saying that this will please those we are here to honor today.”

Mayor Michael E. Bennett said the city of Aberdeen embraces Memorial Day services because of the municipality’s rich history with the military.

“We have quite a number of Aberdeen sons who paid the price,” said Bennett, who is a veteran. “I lost several high school friends and athletes during the Vietnam War. I was fortunate to make it home.”

The American Legion Bernard L. Tobin Post 128 Honor Guard gave a memorial-gun salute and post bugler Ralph Tanchuk played taps.

Sue Hopkins, the band director for Aberdeen Middle School, brought students to play the National Anthem at the beginning of the ceremony.

Hopkins said the experience was good for her students.

“I think it’s important,” Hopkins said. “They need to know what’s going on.”

After the ceremony, many moved to the Post 128 dining hall for lunch, where the Part Two Dance Company gave a performance dressed as USO girls.

“It’s just to give back with our soldiers overseas,” said Lisa Wiseman, who was one of the dancers.

Del. Glen Glass, who also attended the ceremony, encouraged all Harford County residents to sign a petition to overturn in-state tuition rates for the children of illegal immigrants as they left the reception hall. Glass said he collected more than 50 signatures.