The Calvert County Memorial Day Service Monday afternoon on the courthouse grounds in Prince Frederick had a particularly poignancy, as it made a special recognition of Army Cpl. Frank W. Buckles, who was the last surviving veteran of World War I when he passed away on Feb. 27 at his farm near Charles Town, W.Va. He was 110 years old.
Attendees heard from a variety of speakers, among them Gold Star Mother Kelly Swanson of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 206. Her son Christopher was killed in action in July 2006, during his third tour of duty in Iraq.
“I will never forget that rainy night when the doorbell rang and I opened the door to three officers in uniforms,” she said. “People ask how we cope with the loss. It is through God’s mercy and grace. Every day, if you look, there are blessings from God.”
Swanson noted the many veteran-related activities that have become a part of her life since then, telling the attendees, “Much has happened since that night. Sadly, we have added more families to our group.”
She concluded, “Chris died doing what he knew was right. We want to let the fine men and women who serve know that we love them as if they were our own.”
The centerpiece of the ceremony was placing of wreaths on the memorials around the courthouse grounds, with veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm placing a wreath at the monument to Calvert County men who died in World War I in recognition of Mr. Buckles’ passing.
 
