FILE PHOTO
Members of the American Legion Post #166 and Post #123 lead a riffle volley at the conclusion of the Memorial Ceremony last year at the Worcester County Veteran’s Memorial in Ocean Pines.

By Kara Hallissey

Staff Writer

(May 25, 2018) An assortment of Memorial Day activities are slated to take place this weekend, from patriotic ceremonies and light displays to a parade.

Here are a few events planned Friday through Memorial Day Monday, May 28:

Ocean City:

• The Dunes Manor Hotel on 28th Street and Baltimore Avenue will host the American Legion Synepuxent Post 166/American Legion Riders and Boggs-Disharoon Post #123 Color Guard processions oceanside starting at 8 a.m. on Monday.

It will begin in the parking lot in front of Dunes Manor and head to the beach and includes 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 Past Commander Sarge Garlitz and Chaplin Ben Dawson. Rosie Garlitz of Unit #166 will offer the poem “In Flanders Fields” and will lead attendees in “God Bless America.”

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan, Del. Mary Beth Carozza and Sen. Jim Mathias are slated to say a few words.

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

• Jolly Roger Amusement Park on 30th Street will have a Memorial Day service at 1:30 p.m. led by Sarge Garlitz and will include members of the American Legion Synepuxent Post 166 Color Guard and American Legion Riders.
• American Legion Post 166 will host a Memorial Day service at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 28, 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 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.

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 lay the wreath during the service. The event 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.

• Beach Lights return to North Division Street this summer. The three-minute spectacles take place nightly through Labor Day weekend from 9-11 p.m.

The free attraction features high-powered searchlights that move and sway in the sky to musical selections playing though speakers on the Boardwalk. The lights also change into a variety of colors.

For more information, call 410-289-2800 or email infoevent@specialeventpro.com.

Ocean Pines:

• The Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation will host its 13th annual Memorial Day public ceremony at 11 a.m. on Monday.

It will take place at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines on Route 589 near the South Gate.

Col. Janeen Birckhead-Morton will be the keynote speaker at this year’s event. She will be receiving her first star on June 2 and taking command of the Maryland Army National Guard, said Marie Gilmore, a Veterans Memorial volunteer.

Gold Star Mothers and former American POW’s will also be honored.

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

The Ocean Pines Memorial Day ceremony is always well attended and though some seating is provided, attendees should bring lawn chairs to the event. 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.