Page 26 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch September 13, 2013 Veterans Memorial FoundationEarns Recognition By TRAVIS BROWN STAFF WRITER Pictured, from left, are Senator Jim Mathias, Sharyn O'Hare, Sheriff Reggie Mason, Ed Little, Marie Gilmore, Comptroller of Maryland Peter Franchot and Delegate Mike McDermott. Photo by Ted Page BERLIN – The Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation Inc. (WCVMF) received the William Donald Schaefer Helping People award this week for its educational outreach and positive impact on veterans. A veteran himself, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot praised the WCVMF for making the memorial in Ocean Pines a reality and emphasized the importance of service in the country, especially for youth. Accepting the award for WCVMF was Chair Marie Gilmore, who spoke about the initial founding of the memorial in 2005. It started as just a joint idea between Roseanne Bridgman and Sharyn O’Hare but boomed from there, said Gilmore. “The vision of a place of comfort, remembrance and education swelled into a grassroots movement which culminated with the dedication of this memorial on Memorial Day, May 30, 2005,” she said. Since then it has served as a beacon in the county for students who want to learn about Worcester’s proud history of service, Gilmore continued. “More than 4,000 Worcester County students have visited here with their teachers and learned of the many sacrifices made by veterans to secure their freedoms,” she said. “The memorial continues to grow as we expand our educational program.” It is likewise a wellspring for weary veterans. “Every day we see veterans visiting this site and drawing comfort from it,” she said. “Here they know they are not forgotten.” O’Hare continued on that track with her own remarks. “I know that this is a hallowed ground. It is very special,” O’Hare said. “If you need a healing place, this is the place to come.” A number of county and state representatives were also on hand for the event. State Sen. Jim Mathias told the gathering that it puts his mind at ease to know that veterans like the ones at the ceremony existed. SEE NEXT PAGE THE FINEST SEAFOOD, S T E A K S A N D P O U LT RY Locals’ Favorite For 57 Years The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel 15th St. & Baltimore Ave. Ocean City, Md. For Reservations: 410-289-7192/7191 captainstableoc.com DAILY FRESH FISH SPECIALS OR YOUR CHOICE OF PREPARATION OPEN ALL DAY, EVERY DAY Breakfast 7 a.m.-1 p.m., Lunch 11:30 a.m., Dinner/Lite Fare 4 p.m., Bar 10 a.m. Phil Perdue On Piano Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday And Thursday Friday, Sept. 13: Everett Spells Large Parties Welcome CHILDREN’S MENU EARLY BIRD MENU 4-6 P.M. HAPPY HOUR DAILY 3-7 P.M. SATURDAY AND SUNDAY $2 BLOODY MARYS AND MIMOSAS $10 OFF $15 OFF ANY $50 CHECK ANY $75 CHECK Cannot be combined with other coupons/EB/Discount • Exp. 09-30-13