Salute to Heroes rouses pride, patriotism

By LAURA WORMUTH Special to Record Observer | Posted: Monday, September 23, 2013 2:00 pm

GRASONVILLE — Gathering for prayers and a moment of silence, firefighters, EMTs and the public came together for a Salute to Heroes at The Jetty restaurant in Grasonville on Wednesday evening, Sept. 11, 2013.
After raising the flag high on the fire engine ladder, the procession of servicemen was led by bagpipes and drum through the crowd that waited to honor the fallen and the dedicated men and women who served during the tragedies of 9/11.
“Thank you for being our heroes,” called out one patron. “We  love you.”
The ceremony opened with a prayer for those lost during 9/11. “God, please hold those souls close to you,” said Dan Mautz, a lifetime member of the Tilghman Island Fire Department. “Please protect those who  are still protecting our freedom — our police officers, our firefighters, EMS and military.”
The audience joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moving rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” which was followed by a reading of the EMT prayer, the firefighter’s prayer, the police officer’s prayer and the soldier’s  prayer.
The whole crowd joined in a verse of “God Bless the U.S.A.,” originally written and recorded by Lee Greenwood, and performed Wednesday evening by John Frase
Justin Davis, lead coordinator of the event, read an emotional letter from a member of the team that traveled to Ground Zero during that time to bring supplies and assistance from Queen Anne’s and Kent counties.
“Immediately following the nightmare on Sept. 11, people were so patriotic. They flew flags from their homes, overpasses, bridges and buildings, and had flags attached to their cars,” Davis read. “What we  must do  is keep supporting our troops, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and EMS personnel and stand up for what we believe.”
The  evening closed with a moment of silence and a toast to all of the servicemen who  were heroesduring Sept. 11, and in service to Queen Anne’s  County every day.