Community Corner

VIDEO: Local Vets Reflect On Service Time At Gaithersburg Memorial Day Ceremony

Major General (Ret.) Alan B. Salisbury delivered remarks at Gaithersburg's Christman Park.

The city of Gaithersburg welcomed United States veterans, distinguished guests and members of the community to Christman Park Thursday morning for its annual Memorial Day observation ceremony.

Joining Mayor Sidney A. Katz and the City Council were guest speaker Major General (Ret.) Alan B. Salisbury and Congressman John Delaney.

In his remarks, Salisbury highlighted the great sacrifice made by countless American families in order to preserve today's freedoms.

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"We are gathered here today to celebrate and honor the service and sacrfice of countless heroes who have worn the uniform of the United States military and kept our nation free for over 230 years," the General said. "In the grand scheme of the history of civilizations and nation states, that's not a particularly long time.

"Many great civilizations and nations have fallen to conquerers ir disintegrated in less time. I say this to remind us all that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Freedom isn't free, and it is our service members and their families who have paid the price for our great experiment in democracy to endure for more than two centuries."

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As part of the ceremony, local performer and teach Stephanie Bonte-Lebair sang the national anthem and "America the Beautiful." 


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