Chesapeake Beach and the surrounding areas recognized the nation’s war dead at a Memorial Day Service hosted by American Legion Stallings-Williams Post 206 at 10 a.m. Monday.
The half-hour service at Veterans Memorial Park also included recognition of those who died in the line of duty as law enforcement officers and fire fighters.
Post Unit Chaplain Clara Mae Buckmaster, as part of the invocation, read the obituary of James F. Stallings, one of the two men who died in World War Two for whom the post is named.
Stallings was lost in action over Holland on Sept. 22, 1944 (Jesse W. Williams, the other post namesake, perished in France on Aug. 17, 1944). Both were born in Chesapeake Beach.
“I was seven years old then,” said Buckmaster, “and I still remember the pain the family felt that day.”
Post 206 First Vice Commander Jack Custis and Chesapeake Beach Mayor Bruce Wahl welcomed the crowd, reminding them of the day’s purpose: “To honor veterans and those who have fallen in defense of our country.” Said Wahl, “Thank you all for coming out to remember our veterans living and dead, as well as those who currently serve and those who will serve.”
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