Maryland National Guard pays tribute to State’s Fallen Heroes
Story by 2nd Lt Enjoli Saunders
REISTERSTOWN, Md. (June 1, 2024) – The Maryland National Guard held their Fallen Warrior Memorial ceremony with a wreath-laying today at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation to honor the Maryland Army National Soldiers who have died during the Global War on Terrorism.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Janeen Birckhead, the adjutant general of Maryland, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Andrew Collins, assistant adjutant general – Army, and U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Drew Dougherty, assistant adjutant general – Air, all paid their respects during the wreath-laying by saluting the memorial, paying tribute to all of Maryland’s fallen military personnel.
“Today, we gather with heavy hearts and deep gratitude to honor the memory of 13 brave Soldiers from Maryland who made the ultimate sacrifice for us,” said Birckhead. “Throughout their military service they showed us the very best of what it means to serve and be Maryland strong.”
This event marks the first Fallen Warrior Memorial ceremony since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. The fallen warrior’s identification tags were draped over the memorial statue in recognition of their sacrifice.
The guest speaker for the ceremony was Dr. James Dula, the Veterans Affairs Officer, Office of the County Executive for Prince Georges County and an Air Force veteran. Dula, a Vietnam War veteran, serves and supports the largest number of veterans in the state of Maryland.
“The military can prepare you for many things, but one of the things they can’t prepare you for is that return home,” said Dula.
The ceremony brought together families, friends, and community leaders to pay homage to those who paid ultimate price in service to our country. Among those remembered were Maryland Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Kenneth Cropper. Cropper was assigned to the 200th Military Police Company, and was a 29-year veteran of the National Guard.
“This is the first ceremony we’ve attended since 2019, and we have not been forgotten,” said LaVerne Dennis-Cropper, the widow of Staff Sgt. Kenneth Cropper. “This family, the Maryland National Guard family, remembers Kenny and all the others. The words and actions of the Guard members from the day he passed to the present have proven true. Their continuous support through ceremonies, phone calls, and emails has been a source of comfort and remembrance that means so much. It means a lot to me.”