By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

The new gazebo at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines was officially opened and dedicated on Monday, Nov. 11, prior to the remembrance park’s 2024 Veterans Day ceremony.

Veterans Memorial Foundation President Marie Gilmore was joined by community officials, including Ocean Pines Association General Manager John Viola, the OPA Board of Directors, and Veterans Memorial Foundation members, as she expressed her gratitude for the creation of the new structure.

Gilmore said the gazebo was erected in collaboration between the Veterans Memorial Foundation, the OPA Board of Directors, Viola, OPA Public Works, and Whayland Construction, which is based in Laurel, Delaware.

The hope is that the pavilion will act as a space for family and friends to gather during a visit to the memorial park. “What you see today is the fruition of several years of wishing and a year of planning and building,” Gilmore said.

“This belongs to all of us now,” she added.

OPA and the Veterans Memorial Foundation also intend for the gazebo to serve as an “outdoor classroom” for the more than 650 fifth-grade students from all of Worcester County’s private and public schools who come to the site each year to learn about United States history, the flag, and former military members.

“This gazebo allows us to expand upon our programs, enhancing the students’ experience,” the foundation president said. “We are grateful to the Ocean Pines Board of Directors and the Ocean Pines General Manager John Viola, who so willingly joined us on our mission.”

Gilmore noted that Viola was “instrumental” in ensuring the structure was open in time for Veterans Day, as the goal reiterated by the general manager at community board meetings.

Gilmore expressed her gratitude to Ocean Pines Public Works, which played a vital role in the pavilion’s completion, and Whayland Construction, which she said was “amazing to work with.”

Viola also spoke at the Nov. 11 dedication.

“We have something very special here [in Ocean Pines], and this certainly is a part of it,” he said. “I have termed this a legacy structure which enhances this iconic area.”

The official opening concluded with a ribbon cutting performed by Viola and Gilmore.