Gaithersburg Veterans Day Observance

(from City Press Release):
The entire community is invited to join the City of Gaithersburg for its annual Veterans Day Observance on Friday, November 11, honoring and recognizing all U.S. military personnel who play an important role in safeguarding our nation and our future. City officials and members of local veterans groups will be on hand to honor those who have served in all branches of the military. Officials, veterans and community organizations will also participate in a solemn wreath laying ceremony.  Following the ceremony there will be a reception inside City Hall. 

Veterans Day remarks will be delivered by General Henry J. Hatch, who completed a distinguished 35-year career in the United States Army, retiring as a Lieutenant General.  He was the Chief of Engineers and the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, whose missions include military construction and environmental engineering for the Army and Air Force and the Army’s civil water resources program. After eight years in the private sector, he continues his active life as a volunteer in a number of professional organizations. General Hatch graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1957 and received a Master of Science degree from Ohio State in 1964.

The City of Gaithersburg is once again supporting the efforts of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), which adopts various units deployed overseas.  At the observance we will be collecting items to send as part of the Adopt-A-Unit program.  Items most needed include:  Powdered drink mixes, Silly String (to detect lasers in a room), cherry flavored lip balm, men’s undershirts, boxers and briefs, flypaper, cans of salted nuts, travel size toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, shampoos and lotions, sealable plastic bags, trail mixes, disposable cameras, and AA and AAA batteries.        

The VFW also accepts cash and check donations, which they use to purchase postage and calling cards in bulk at a discounted price.  Donations can be dropped off between 4 and 9 p.m. at the VFW John M. Carter Post #9862, 211K N. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD  20877, 301-948-0781.  Please make checks payable to VFW Post #9862.