On August 7, the Circle of Angels Initiative continued the tradition of honoring World War II and other veterans at the pavilion on Solomons Island with its annual USO Night.

Beginning at 5 p.m., the celebration and honorarium had music from the WWII period followed by welcoming remarks by Roseanna Vogt, Director of Circle of Angels Initiative. Then John Pomerville performed songs and music from the WWII era. At 7 p.m. there was a ceremonial wreath laying honoring veterans. Attending veterans and others spoke briefly about their experiences during the war. At sunset there was a stirring taps ceremony and then the music continued well into the evening.

During the evening, there was a tribute to Ryan Patrick Bauman as well. Ryan Patrick Baumann worked at Target in First Colony Center from its opening until he went to boot camp. He graduated from Great Mills High in 2003.

Bauman wanted to do something after the September 11 terrorist attack and enlisted in the Army in May 2004. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

The brave young man took leave and drove up from Ft. Campbell, KY, to take the majority of the photographs in the walking guide printed by the St. Mary’s county health department. He served first in Iraq, then Afghanistan.

“He loved the people ... he felt he was making a difference. He loved the United States and he loved what he was doing,” said Ryan’s fiancé, Lauren Smith of Ridge.

Tragically, on August 1, 2008, Bauman’s humvee hit an IED on Route Alaska in Afghanistan. According to accounts, his unit was going downhill when Ryan saw the IED. With no way to avoid it, he directed the driver to veer left, positioning the IED under him and taking the brunt of the explosion.

TheBAYNET.com was there to capture the images and the stirring ceremony.