Bethesda Observes Veterans Day
Veterans gathered with politicians and other local figures to observe Veterans Day today in Woodmont Triangle’s Veteran’s Park.
The Kiwanis Club of Bethesda and the American Legion, Fitzgerald Cantrell Post No. 105 combined to sponsor the event, which included remarks from Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D) and County Council President Roger Berliner (D-Bethesda-Potomac).
Both spoke about Bethesda’s unique role in veterans affairs, with the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center now home to both the Army’s and Navy’s main medical centers for wounded and recovering veterans.
American Legion, Fitzgerald Cantrell Post No. 105 Commander Bob Waters lowered the flag to half-staff at the beginning of the ceremony before raising it at the end. The Post placed a floral wreath near the fountain in the park, along with organizations such as the Bethesda Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce, Bethesda Chevy Chase Rotary Club, Bethesda Urban Partnership and Kiwanis Club.
The ceremony was the 53rd annual edition of the event.
Morning Notes
B-CC Expansion Must Go Forward, Officials Say — Expansion plans at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School must happen, according to MCPS officials, who fear the gradually increasing amount of students at the school will be too much for the county’s smallest high school campus to handle. Many parents had expressed concern that MCPS planners could not adequately account for the new students arriving from ongoing development. [The Gazette]
Bethesda Veterans Day Ceremony — The Bethesda Kiwanis Club will hold its annual Veterans Day ceremony at 10:45 a.m. at Veteran’s Park in Woodmont Triangle. [Bethesda Patch]
Fairmont Avenue Shop Celebrates Grand Opening — Take5 Boutique, a new fashion shop on Fairmont Avenue, celebrated its grand opening this weekend. Azerbaijan native and store co-owner Sakina Iskender says it will be the exclusive outlet for a number of leading Turkish clothing designers. [Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row]
Veterans Day Closings For Monday
A few Montgomery County government operations will be affected by Monday’s celebration of Veterans Day, which actually falls on Sunday.
State offices and courts, county offices and libraries will be closed and recreation and senior programming will not happen. Parking at county lots and meters will be free.
County trash and recycling will operate on its regular schedule.
County liquor stores, indoor aquatic centers and schools will be open and operate regularly.
Metrobus and Metrorail will operate on Saturday schedules and Ride On will use a modified holiday schedule.
MoCo To Honor Veterans With TV Marathon
Montgomery County will run a 13-hour marathon of interviews with World War II veterans this Sunday, Veterans Day, and again on Monday, Nov. 12 to honor those in the county who have served.
The tribute will include extended interviews with 14 local vets of World War II and start off with the broadcast of a September ceremony honoring those veterans hosted by former Nightline anchor Ted Koppel.
The marathon will start each day at 9:30 a.m. and continue to 10:30 p.m. Many of the veterans, including 97-year-old Dee Paris, are approaching 100, making documenting their stories all the more important.
Paris, who was a tank commander in the Battle of the Bulge, sat down with a local college student. His interview will air at 10 p.m. on both nights.
The program will be shown on County Cable Montgomery (Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon).
