County Honors Fallen Service Members, Submissions Welcome

GERMANTOWN, MD — The Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs has set up a webpage to pay tribute to local fallen service members.

The site — which honors veterans who were killed in action as early as World War I — is being promoted in time for Memorial Day.

"It seems that every day we are reminded of how our freedom is so special, and throughout the history of our nation, some special men and women have given their lives to protect that freedom," said Wayne Miller, a Vietnam veteran who now chairs the county's Commission on Veterans Affairs. "The Commission on Veterans Affairs wanted residents of all ages to know more about these people and our 'Fallen Heroes' website is a great way to learn their fascinating and heroic stories."

The site can be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/bfvty9fk.

"The COVID-19 health crisis has highlighted for us how precious life is — and how quickly it can end," County Executive Marc Elrich said. "For many county residents who served in the military, their lives ended while serving our country. The 'Fallen Heroes' website shows how ordinary people, when asked to serve their country, answered that call — and sacrificed their lives for others."

To share the story of a friend or family member, email Carly.Clem@montgomerycountymd.gov and provide the following information:

• Servicemember name
• Your name and relationship to the individual
• Branch of service and rank
• Years of service
• Brief narrative of their service
• If they lived in Montgomery County, what high school they attended in the county, and the name of the school they graduated from
• Photo(s) — preferably one during service time and one present-day

Per county officials: By sending an e-mail with this information, the sender agrees to have the information shared on the County's website and on the Commission on Veterans Affairs social media. Submissions may be edited to conform to Montgomery County Government standards.