Charlotte Hall, MD — More than 150 cars cruised along a 101-mile route throughout Southern Maryland Saturday, May 23. It was fitting that the fourth annual Cruisin’ Southern Maryland was held on Memorial Day weekend because the beneficiaries of the event were the veterans at the Charlotte Hall Veteran’s Home.
The event is presented by the Southern Knights Rod and Custom Club and Charlotte Hall Square and has a number of corporate sponsors. John Parlett organized the event four years ago and in consultation with the veteran’s home staff came up with the idea of directly helping them with needed projects.
According to Charlotte Hall Veteran’s Home Director Sharon Mattia, this year’s project is rehabilitation equipment for the second floor. The price tag is $50,000. Monies not raised through Cruisin’ Southern Maryland for Veterans are raised throughout the year with direct donations and fundraisers to accomplish that year’s project.
The cruise started Saturday morning at Charlotte Hall Park and Ride and proceeded through Chaptico and Clements for the first stop in Leonardtown. The entourage then rambled down Route 5 to Point Lookout State Park and back up Route 235 to the parking lot of SAIC at Park Place in California.
After a stop at SAIC they proceeded across the Gov. Thomas Johnson Bridge, up Routes 2/4 through Calvert County and then over Route 231 through Charles County and back to the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. Parlett said different routes are chosen every year to bring in riders from various locations throughout the area.
The cars (and motorcycles) upon arrival at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home then lined up for a popup car show to be enjoyed by everyone, especially the veterans who came outside in the beautiful spring sunshine to gawk and reminisce. Free food was available under the pavilion, which was one of the projects accomplished from a previous year’s cruise and from donated monies and labor. Prizes were awarded at the end of the afternoon.
Please enjoy the Photo Gallery from this year’s Cruisin’ Southern Maryland for Veterans.
Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com
