By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer

(May 24, 2019) Several Memorial Day activities will take place this weekend, ranging from patriotic ceremonies to a parade.

Here are a few events planned Friday through Memorial Day Monday:

Ocean City:

• The Dunes Manor Hotel on 28th Street and Baltimore Avenue will host the American Legion Synepuxent Post 166, American Legion Riders and joint Color Guard processions oceanside starting at 8 a.m. on Monday.

The activities will begin in the parking lot in front of Dunes Manor and continue on the beach and include the playing of “Taps,” posting of colors, a firing squad, three-volley salute and the laying of a wreath in the ocean by the U.S. Coast Guard of Ocean City.

The ceremony will be led by Commander of the South Eastern Shore District Sarge Garlitz. Rosie Garlitz of Unit #166 will offer the poem “In Flanders Fields” and will lead attendees in “God Bless America.”

After the ceremony, the Dunes Manor hotel will offer a buffet style breakfast.

For more information, call the Dunes Manor Hotel at 1-800-523-2888.

• Jolly Roger Amusement Park on 30th Street will have a Memorial Day service at 1 p.m. led by Sarge Garlitz on Monday. For more information, call Garlitz at 443-735-1942.
• American Legion Post #166 will host a Memorial Day service at 5 p.m. on Monday at its facility on 24th Street.

Sarge Garlitz, commander of the South Eastern Shore District of the American Legion, will be the emcee.

Representatives from the First State Detachment Marine Corps League, Unit #166 American Legion Auxiliary, Chapter #166 American Legion Riders, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #1091, American Legion Post #166 Color Guard, Sons of the American Legion #166, and officers from the Worcester County Veterans Memorial will say a few words. Chaplain Ben Dawson will perform the invocation.

In addition, the Ocean City Lions Club and Elks of Ocean City will also participate in the event.

Troop #261 Boy Scouts, Pack #261 Cub Scouts and Unit #166 Junior Auxiliary will also be attending the event. The service features a post-everlasting moment, firing of the volley salute and “Taps” will be played.

Past Commander and Historian Nate Pearson will present the history of Memorial Day. Rosie Garlitz of Unit #166 will lead attendees in “God Bless America.”

Refreshments will be served after the ceremony, which is free and open to the public.

For more information, call Commander Tom Wengert at 443-994-2513.

Ocean Pines:

• The Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation will host its 14th annual Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. on Monday.

“It’s a solemn ceremony to remember those who lost their lives,” Marie Gilmore, president of the Worcester County Veteran’s Memorial, said. “It will be a patriotic service.”

The ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines on Route 589 near the South Gate.

Graham Caldwell will be the Master of Ceremonies. Gold Star Mothers and former American POWs will also be honored. The guest speaker this year will be former Sheriff Reggie Masson, a Vietnam veteran.

The Delmarva Chorus, Frank Nanna and the WWIIunes, Todd Crosby and Randy Lee Ashcraft will perform patriotic music during the hour-long event.

Troop #261 Boy Scouts, Pack #261 Cub Scouts and Unit #166 Junior Auxiliary will also be in attendnace. “Taps” will be played, along with a salute from the rifle team and honor guards.

The Ocean Pines Memorial Day ceremony is always well attended and though some seating is provided, attendees should bring lawn chairs. Golf carts will be on hand for those who need assistance from the parking lot.

The ceremony will be moved indoors to the Ocean Pines Community Center in the event of inclement weather.

For more information, call Gilmore at 410-208-6612 or visit www.OPVETS.com.

Berlin:

• A memorial ceremony will take place at Mystic Harbor on Route 611, this Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.

Sarge Garlitz, commander of the South Eastern Shore District of the American Legion, will be the emcee. Chaplain Teddy Rozzano will say a prayer and the World War I poem, “In Flanders Fields” will be recited.

A memorial wreath will be placed at the flag pole by military veterans.

The American Legion Rifle Team consisting of members from Boggs-Disharoon Post #123, Synepuxent Post #166 and Duncan-Showell Post #231 will fire the three-volley salute. Following the salute, “Taps” will be played before the singing of “God Bless America.”

For more information, call Garlitz at 443-735-1942.

• A memorial ceremony will take place at American Legion Boggs-Disharoon Post #123 in Berlin at 8 a.m. on Sunday. Sarge Garlitz, commander of the South Eastern Shore District of the American Legion, will be the Masters of Ceremonies.

For more information, call 410-641-3760.

• The annual Old-Fashioned Memorial Day Parade will start at 11 a.m. on Monday. The procession will travel from Stephen Decatur Middle School southwest on Flower Street to a staging area near Dr. William Henry Park. Free parking is available in a lot opposite of the park.

There will be food, entertainment and children can enjoy activities while their parents check out the different vendor booths and yard sale tables.

For more information, call 410-973-2051.

Pocomoke City:

• Downtown Pocomoke will celebrate Memorial Day during its Fourth Friday Street Festival, Friday, May 24, from 5-8 p.m. The block party-style event will be held within the two blocks of Market Street between Front Street and Second Street.

Artists, craftsmen and vendors will fill the sidewalks of Market Street to sell their work, including paintings, photography, jewelry, bath and body products, home décor and fashion apparel and accessories.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase, including beer and wine.

Live music will be provided by Iris, with a patriotic tribute by Bay Brass at 6 p.m. as well as a special performance by Phoenix Fire World Class Cheer at 6:30 p.m.

The theme for the celebration is “USA Kicks Cancer.” A Relay for Life Jail and Bail fundraiser, where participants must raise money to get out of “prison,” will take place in the middle of the street during the event.

There will also be a luminaria service to remember those who have lost their battle with cancer, support those fighting the disease and to celebrate survivors, at 7:30 p.m.

In the event of rain, Fourth Friday will be canceled and will resume in June.

For more information, visit www.downtownpocomoke.com.