Good morning everyone.

Each year we do a volunteer of the year award for The Recreation and Parks Department. This year we looked outside of the Recreation Department and found our volunteer of the year at one of our most beautiful parks in Ocean Pines - The Veterans Memorial.

Although there are many volunteers at the Veterans Memorial there is one person that stands out in her efforts in making the Memorial such an amazing location.

She and her family moved from Rhinebeck, NY to their home in Ocean Pines in September of 1995. Always being interested in volunteering in her community, she joined the Women’s Club in Ocean PinesP. She was very active and served three years as club secretary and two terms as Club President. She has also been a volunteer for the Garden Club, Craft Club, and Ocean Pines Boat Club.

She is a member of the American Legion Post 166, Ladies Auxiliary. She served as the Treasurer of the Ocean City Parrot Head Club and served as a member of the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee. During this time, she co-chaired the fundraising effort to construct the Skate Park. As if this was not enough, when she was invited to join the Veterans Memorial Foundation by Sharon O’Hare and Roseann Bridgeman. She accepted the invitation and became a board member in 2005. She held the position of Secretary for 2 years and President for 9 years and currently serves as the President.

She has grown the Memorial into a wonderful tribute and celebration to all Veterans in our community.

To list a few of her accomplishments during her tenure :

• Grade School Education Program to all 5th grade Worcester County students
• Patriots Pathway History
• Flags for Heros
• POW/MIA Chair Tribute
• Battlefield Cross
• Wreaths Across America
• And of course, “The Wall that Heals”

She along with many other volunteers work diligently for 3 years to convince them to bring the wall to Ocean Pines. What an amazing event that was!

Even through the pandemic, she was able to work through challenges and manage to continue all of the mentioned efforts at the Memorial. She has put in countless hours volunteering for her community. She is one of the most amazing women I know and is so well respected in this community.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Please join me in showing our abundant gratitude for all her efforts and all of the time that she has put into making Ocean Pines an amazing community.

This year’s Volunteer of The Year, Mrs. Marie Gilmore!