Vets Memorial Foundation president honored for her years of volunteer service

(Aug. 19, 2021) Although the lack of a quorum prevented the Ocean Pines Association’s annual homeowners’ meeting from taking place Saturday, association officials did take the time to present the 2021 Sam Wilkinson Volunteer Award to Veterans Memorial Foundation President Marie Gilmore.

Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue bestowed the annual honor on Gilmore during a ceremony at the Ocean Pines Community Center.

Established in 2003, the award pays respects to the memory of Sam Wilkinson, 8, who died during a water accident in Ocean City.

Sam Wilkinson had participated in youth soccer under the watchful eye of his father, Bob, a volunteer coach in the Ocean Pines Recreation Department.

The award focuses on recreation and parks program volunteers, and this year Donahue took note of Gilmore’s contribution to the Veterans Memorial.

“Although there are many volunteers at the Veterans Memorial, there is one person that stands out in her efforts in making the memorial such an amazing location,” Donahue said.   

Since relocating to Ocean Pines in 1995 from Rhineback, New York, Gilmore has left her mark on the community, starting with the Women’s Club.

“She was very active in the club and served three years as club secretary and two years as club president,” she said.

Donahue also highlighted Gilmore’s time volunteering with other Ocean Pines groups, including the Garden Club, Craft Club and Boat Club.

Not limiting her service to one zip code, Gilmore has also served with the American Legion Post 166 Auxiliary and the Ocean City Parrot Head Club.

“While serving on the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Committee, she co-chaired the successful fundraising effort to build a skate park in Ocean Pines,” she said.

In 2005, Gilmore was inducted as a member of the Veterans Memorial Foundation by cohorts Roseann Bridgman and Sharyn O’Hare.

“She held the position of secretary for two years and president nine years, and currently serves as the president,” she said.

In her role as Veterans Memorial Foundation president, Gilmore was instrumental in establishing an educational component for fifth graders in Worcester County.

“She also led programs, events and exhibits, including Patriots’ Pathway, Flags for Heroes, Wreaths Across America, the POW/MIA tribute, and the Battlefield Cross,” she said.

In 2020, Gilmore led the charge to bring the Vietnam Veterans “Wall That Heals” traveling exhibit to Worcester County.

“She, along with many other volunteers, worked diligently for three years to convince them to bring the wall to Ocean Pines,” she said.

Regardless of last year’s covid-19 pandemic restrictions, Gilmore and company were able to stage a multi-day patriotic event that was well received by the community.

“She has put in countless hours volunteering,” Donahue said. “She is one of the most amazing women I know and is so well-respected in this community.”

As the crowd at Saturday’s meeting stood to applaud, Gilmore and Donahue shared a tearful embrace.

Gilmore was reluctant to be singled out for attention.

“I will accept this award … it has my name on it, but it’s really the Veterans Memorial Foundation who deserves this award,” Gilmore said. “There is nothing that I have done that I would have been able to do without the backing of a fabulous board of directors.”

Gilmore also credited the group of volunteers by her side during her tenure with the Veterans Memorial Foundation.

“Most importantly, we have the backing of the Board of Directors of Ocean Pines,” she said.

Gilmore credited O’Hare and Bridgman for initiating the idea of the memorial, which was dedicated in 2005.

Highlighting the “two amazing women,” who sparked the concept by initially proposing to install a flagpole in south Ocean Pines, Gilmore said the now departed Bridgman continues to be missed.

“Sharyn O’Hare … thankfully still serves as … a director emeritus on our foundation so we can pick her brain constantly, and I do,” she said.

“Thank you so much to, not only the board … but the Ocean Pines Public Works, who worked tirelessly for a year to be sure that we could host (last year’s Wall That Heals event,)” she said. “It looked like a simple thing, driving a trailer in and setting up a wall [but] there was a lot of infrastructure that went into doing that.”

Gilmore said the award was an unforeseen accolade that was deeply appreciated.

“I’m humbled by it,” she said.