Governor O'Malley Hosts Memorial Day Crab Cake Picnic For Returning Maryland Army National Guard Unit
Honors Maryland World War II Veterans in Advance of 65th Anniversary of D-Day
Governor O'Malley to travel to Normandy as guest of 29th Infantry Division Association to commemorate 65th Anniversary of D-Day and Maryland's Historic Role
ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 24, 2009) - Governor Martin O’Malley, joined by First Lady Katie O’Malley, in recognition of Memorial Day, today hosted a welcome home ceremony for the Maryland Army National Guard’s 224th Area Support Medical Company which included a crab cake feast on the lawn at Government House. The unit recently returned from an 11-month deployment, which included service in Iraq.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Memorial Day – remembering not only the sacrifices that the men and women of our armed forces have made in every generation – but also the blessings that we’re able to enjoy because of their dedication, service and commitment,” said Governor O’Malley. “The last time I spoke to the 224th, I promised you crab cakes when you came home. We couldn’t be happier to deliver on that promise for you and your families today.”
The Soldiers deployed to Iraq in April 2008 where they provided direct medical support, including retrieval and stabilization of wounded troops, immediate triage care, and pass-on care to medical-surgical teams. They also conducted basic dental, physiological, and psychological care.
Governor O’Malley attended the deployment of the 224th Area Support Medical Company in March of 2008. In December, Governor O’Malley held a video teleconference with the soldiers where he wished the troops Happy Holidays and made phone calls to all of their families. When the Governor asked what they missed most about home, the troops requested to have Maryland crabs. The unit returned home in February 2009.
“The support provided by Governor O'Malley and Lt. Governor Brown for the 224th Area Support Medical Company during our deployment in Iraq was greatly appreciated,” said Captain Brad Hudson, commander of the 224th. “I also want to thank the Governor for his genuine concern for us while we were deployed and for our families here at home. That concern was clearly evident during our Video Teleconference with the Governor and his personal outreach to our families during the holidays - something that was greatly appreciated by all of us.”
The Governor also honored Maryland’s WWII Veterans and hosted a ceremony commemorating the 65th anniversary of D-Day. The Governor plans to travel to France in early June as a guest of the 29th Infantry Division Association where he will commemorate the 65th anniversary of D-Day and Maryland’s historic role in the Allied landing on the French shores of Normandy. The 29th Division was the only National Guard division to land on D-Day and was comprised of units from Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
While in Normandy, the Governor will attend commemoration ceremonies at Omaha Beach, including ceremonies at the American cemetery at Coleville-sur-Mer, as well as the National Guard and the 29th Infantry Division Memorials, both of which are located at Vierville-sur-Mer.
“Sixty-five years ago our nation asked the impossible of a group of young Americans,” said BG James A. Adkins, Maryland’s Adjutant General and Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “They entered the continent of Europe on D-day to free the oppressed from tyranny. Their efforts changed the course of world history and they became known as our nation's greatest generation.”
“Our nation is built upon the generations of brave men and women who squared their shoulders against the forces of fear and tyranny so that we could continue to enjoy the blessings of this nation and our way of life,” said Governor O’Malley. “Just as these veterans have always been there for us through times of turmoil and tranquility, famine, flood and war, we as a people are committed to being there for them.”
“Today, Governor O’Malley and the citizens of Maryland have honored several Maryland members of the 29th Infantry Division who nearly 65 years ago stormed the beaches of Normandy, France to free Europe from German occupation,” said Robert Finn, National Commander of the 29th Division Association. “In a larger sense, Governor O’Malley has also honored all of our men and women who have served our state and nation not only during World War II but throughout our history. On Monday, May 25th, our nation remembers the more than 1,300,000 men and women who, as President Lincoln said, ‘gave the last full measure of devotion’ to defend our freedoms that we have today. May we continue to remember those who have passed before us and thank our military men and women who serve us now.”
There were 288,000 Maryland men and women who served in World War II. Of these, 6,454 did not come home. Their names appear on Maryland’s World War II Memorial near Annapolis and are honored by its visitors.
There are currently more than 280 Soldiers and Airmen deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. There have been more than 10,500 Soldiers and Airmen of the Maryland National Guard mobilized and deployed since 9-11 for Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Jump Start, KFOR as well as Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Gustav.
While overseas, the Governor will also travel to the Republic of Estonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to meet with military and civilian leaders representing both governments as well as business leaders as part of the State Partnership Program (SPP). The State Partnership Program brings together U.S. states and territories and their respective National Guard units with new or emerging democracies throughout the world.
The State of Maryland and the Maryland National Guard have long-standing partnerships under the State Partnership Program with both Estonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Maryland’s partnership with Estonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina dates back to 1993 and 2003 respectively. During that time, Maryland has played a key role in working with both governments in fostering democracy, encouraging a market-based economy, and promoting regional cooperation and stability.
While in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Governor O’Malley is expected to meet with the Charles L. English, U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nebojsa Radmanovic, member of the Tripartite Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr. Selmo Citokic, Minister of Defense for Bosnia and Herzegovina and local business leaders during a luncheon hosted by the local chamber of commerce. In Estonia, Governor O’Malley will meet with Lieutenant Colonel Raivo Lumiste, Commander of the Estonian Defense League (“Kaitseliit”), as well as Juhan Parts, Minister of Economic Affairs for Estonia.
In July 2008, the Maryland Air National Guard deployed engineers from its 175th Wing to conduct humanitarian assistance including the renovation of a primary school in the town of Vlasenica and the Mount Igman War Memorial, which was dedicated to the three American diplomats and a French Soldier who lost their lives during the Bosnian War.
