Wicomico Civic Center hosts annual Memorial Day event to honor veterans

SALISBURY, Md. – Every year, the Wicomico County War Memorial Committee gathers veterans from across Maryland at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center, to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

It’s a tradition that Master Sergeant Retired, Demetrius Matthews, experienced for the first time, and he said Memorial Day events like this can help the younger generations learn from those who served before them.

“It’s like passing heritage,” Matthews said. “You see the guys that did the wars and served way before me, they passed their knowledge down to us, and then we pass our knowledge down to the future.”

Vietnam veteran, James Jackson, has been attending the ceremony for 20 years and said not only does it help honor the veterans, but their families, who fought their own battles back home.

“Our obligation is to come back and remember those guys who were ahead of us, and never forget their wives and sons and daughters who also shared the burden,” Jackson said.

If you have a veteran in your life, Matthews said it’s never too late to show your appreciation for their service.

“Just talk to them, see how they’re doing, reach out to them if they’re currently serving and not home,” Matthews said. “Write them a letter send them an email, try to give them a call, let them know that you’re still there and you do care.”