Project to help veterans

CENTREVILLE - The Queen Anne's County Commissioners commemoration of the 240th Anniversary of 1776 this year continues with a special event in August. This Aug. 27 is the 240th anniversary of the Battle of Long Island, the day that Marylanders, including a substantial number of men from Queen Anne's County, saved the new United States Army from annihilation from the British at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Those men returning home were the first veterans. To commemorate that incredible story of bravery the Commissioners of Queen Anne's County will proclaim Aug. 27 a "Day of Service to Our Veterans."

Veterans are asked to sign up with their local service organizations, the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars. Veterans when signing up should indicate what their needs are, examples might include help with household needs, yard work and shopping. If they don't have such needs, they could request a visit from an individual or family, or go to lunch or attend a picnic.

Anyone wishing to help by providing a veteran with a day of service should email their name, phone number and address to mmrgsierrasadie@gmail.com.

This information is needed to be able to match each member of the public with their nearest veteran whose needs they might be able to help. In many cases it might only be spending the day with a veteran hearing their stories, or going to breakfast or lunch with them. Those who sign up should be prepared and capable to help with things like cleaning house or mowing a lawn or being able to sit and provide companionship by listening.

Queen Anne's County believes there is no better way to celebrate the enormous effort that early Queen Anne's County men made to give us our freedom in 1776, efforts that included serious injury and imprisonment by the British for a year and a half or longer, than to honor the men and women today who have continued to protect our freedom.