On Monday, May 26, 2025, Gold Star Mothers fathers, families, and the community were invited to attend the Annual Memorial Day Observance at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens located in Timonium Maryland. Janice Chance, Marie Moudry, and Linda Wiley represented the Gold Star Mothers Maryland Chapter. Major General Janeen L. Birckhead, US Navy Commander (Ret) Frank T. Goertner and The Honorable John Olszewski Jr., US House of Representatives gave memorial addresses. Music was provided by the 229th US Army Band Dundalk Sweet Adelines, and bagpiper Robert McCurdy. The opening procession included the Maryland National Guard Firing Party and Color Guard, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion USMCR, US Naval Sea Cadets/Fort McHenry Division, The Knights of Columbus O’Neill Council #4011, The Patriot Guard Riders Maryland Chapter and The Nam Knights of America Motorcycle ClubFort McHenry Chapter. Alan Walden served as MC.
Elba Keirn and other families of those military fallen since last Memorial Day, 5/27/2024 were presented with a replica of the memorial which depicts a woman embracing a folded flag.
Those honored were: PO2 Jack M. Brown, LTC Mickey M West Jr, PFC Charles M. Hyman, SSG Sean A. Lange, MSGT Justin S. Keirn, SRA Gregory K. Riley Jr, SPC William T. Brown III, CW2 Andrew L. Eaves, SPC Jacob W. Mullen, and SSG Jared A. Finnerty. Daneace Jeffrey, sister of Darold Martin, Gold Star Dad accepted a plaque. Janice Chance accepted a plaque on behalf of LTC Mickey West Jr’s family. Janice, Marie, and Linda were blessed to meet and provide comfort to the families and friends of those honored this year. They also met with many veterans and active-duty service members and their families. It was a truly beautiful and moving ceremony.
