Sunday, May 27 - Annual Memorial Day Celebration Planned

BERLIN - A unique celebration of Memorial Day will be held Monday morning along Route 589 at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial.

In May of 2006, US Navy Captain Edwards (Ed) S. Little, Sr. was the keynote speaker at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial celebration of Memorial Day. Following in his father\'s footsteps, Major Edwards (Ted) S. Little, Jr., (USANG) will be the keynote speaker at the 2007 celebration of Memorial Day on May 28.

Hundreds of people have attended the ceremony in years past, and organizers expect a large crowd once again to take part in the patriotic gathering, which features numerous musical performances, speeches and tributes.

Little attended Gettysburg College, where he studied history and participated in Army ROTC. He graduated cum laude as a Distinguished Military Graduate in May of 1989 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Serving five years on active duty with the 197th Infantry Brigade and then the 3rd Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, he performed a number of assigned officer duties to include battalion staff officer, platoon leader, company executive officer and brigade staff officer. He saw combat duty in Iraq for the first time during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. His active duty awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Kuwait Liberation Medal, and the Southwest Asia Service Medal.

Little joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 1997 and has been with the 28th Infantry Division (Mechanized) ever since. In 2002-2003, he was deployed on a peace-keeping mission to war torn Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of Operation Joint Forge (SFOR 12). On this mission, he specifically worked as a liaison officer with the armed forces of that country to foster established peace initiatives.

Little was again activated in January of 2005 for participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom. As a member of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Little served as an operational planner in Ramadi (Al Anbar Province) and returned home in June of 2006. For his combat service in Iraq, he earned the Bronze Star.

The public is invited to participate in the Memorial Day event, which begins at 10 a.m. It is suggested that attendees bring lawn chairs. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the Community Church of Ocean Pines on Racetrack Road.

For further information or for special parking passes at the Memorial, contact Roseann Bridgman at 410-641-7243 or rosnbridgm@aol.com.

The following is a look at the ceremony's agenda:

Welcome - Sharyn O'Hare, President, Worcester County Veterans

Memorial Foundation, Inc.

Introduction - Ron Fisher, Master of Ceremonies

Invocation - The Reverend Russell Lehman (USN), Salem and

Bethany United Methodist Church, Pocomoke

Posting of Colors - NJROTC Stephen Decatur High School

Pledge of Allegiance - Carrie DuPuie (TSGT) 166 ANG - Medical

Unit, New Castle, DE, and Scouts

National Anthem - Caitlan Whalan, Worcester Preparatory School

Memorial Day Proclamations - Senator J. Lowell Stoltzfus and

County Commissioner Judy Boggs

When the Sun Goes In and Proud to Be an American - Studio Chorale

Medley of Service Anthems and Salute to Freedom - Salem Brass

Address - Edwards S. (Ted) Little, Jr. (MAJ USANG)

America the Beautiful and Here's to the Winners - Delmarva Chorus

Sweet Adelines International

Presentation of POW-MIA Wreath - EX-POW's MD East Chapter

Amazing Grace - Ocean City Pipe Band

Proud to Be an American - Randy Lee Ashcraft (USA)

Presentation of Wreath - Women Veterans

Many Gifts, One Spirit - ECHOES, Ecumenical Choir of the Eastern

Shore

Tribute to Military Families/Introduction of Gold Star Mothers - Roseann Bridgman, Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation

Heal Our Land and Battle Hymn of the Republic - Chancel Choir of

Community Church of Ocean Pines

Dedication of 'The Waiting Bench'

The Last Full Measure of Devotion - Richard Jacobs

Benediction - The Reverend Dr. Harry Wolpert, St. Peter's Lutheran

Church, Ocean City

Finale