The Third annual Stars and Stripes Festival in Calvert County began with a reflection of the randomness of war. The three-day event is organized and hosted by the Town of Chesapeake Beach, with Route 261—the main road through that town and nearby North Beach, providing the venue for a much-anticipated occurrence.
The mid-morning opening ceremony Saturday, May 24 was held at Veterans’ Memorial Park.
Patriotic music was rendered by the United States Naval Academy Brass Quintet. The Presentation of the Colors was done by the Northern High School NJROTC Color Guard. The invocation and benediction were offered by the Rev. Robert P. Hahn of Chesapeake Church.
The 2014 festival is focusing on the Vietnam War and during the closing ceremony Memorial Day–Monday, May 26—The Nam Knights of America Motorcycle Club’s Old Line Chapter will be unveiling and dedicating a memorial and donating it to the town for permanent display at the park.
Several months ago town officials put out a call for a volunteer, specifically a Vietnam veteran to share remembrances of the conflict.
Their selectee—California native, writer and teacher Wayne Karlin, a decorated Marine veteran who resides in St. Mary’s County—delivered a brief but moving recollection. Karlin, who is a professor of languages and literature at the College of Southern Maryland, spoke about his emotional experiences of visiting the wall at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. He read “the names of my brothers” he served with who lost their lives in the conflict and specifically mentioned a 19-year-old lance corporal. Towards the end of his tour, Karlin was scheduled to fly on a helicopter patrol but the lance corporal requested that he be part of the crew instead. Karlin stated that he initially was not aware of why his mission was switched that day. The lance corporal died of a single gunshot during the mission. “He died in my place,” said Karlin. “I survived and he didn’t. That’s the simplest reason memorials are placed.”
“These are the kinds of stories that give me chills,” Chesapeake Beach Mayor Bruce Wahl remarked after Karlin’s address. Wahl, himself a Vietnam War veteran, recalled many servicemen returning from the war did not wear or display any emblems of their service during the conflict, as public opinion on the U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia was still an acrimonious subject.
During the afternoon, the Nam Knights and other veteran motorcycle riders roared through the Twin Beaches area. Most were in the Washington, DC area for Rolling Thunder.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
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