On Saturday, Americans gathered across the country to honor the brave men and women who served our country. WBOC was able to catch up with some Veterans Day ceremonies, shining a light on local service members, and remembering those we have lost.
The Wicomico County War Memorial Committee held its annual Veterans Day ceremony Saturday morning at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center. The event included a gun salute, patriotic music, prayer, and a remembrance for all veterans.
"It's good that veterans recognize each other," said Ralph Cordery, Vice President of the War Memorial Committee. "It's good that veterans recognize people who are serving today, and maybe encouraging some young people who I have met here today who are willing to serve themselves".
Veterans were honored in a unique way in Sussex County. A "Veterans Family Fun Day" took place at Courageous Hearts Farm in Lincoln from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. More than one hundred veterans and their families showed up for all of the activities. The focus there, however, was on more than fun. It was also about substance use disorder within the veteran community. Rosemary Baughman of Courageous Hearts says there is still a stigma around substance use.
"Substance use disorder is a problem," she says. "And there's still a stigma surrounding it and we wanted to have something fun and exicting so that people could come out and understand its a brain disease there's no shame in it."
