Lottery and Gaming employees assist in effort at Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Nearly 100 employees from Maryland Lottery and Gaming, the Maryland Stadium Authority, the Maryland Department of Commerce and the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs joined forces on a clean-up and maintenance project on Oct. 1 at the Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The event was part of Governor Larry Hogan’s Day to Serve initiative, in which state employees participate in community service projects.
The effort took on special significance, as Governor Hogan has proclaimed 2019 as Maryland’s Year of the Veteran. The Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial occupies a three-and-a-half acre site in Middle Branch Park in Baltimore. The names of Marylanders who died during their service in Vietnam are carved into the display.
Despite record-breaking temperatures that topped 95 degrees, employees of the four state agencies spent four hours removing weeds and brush, trimming the hedges that ring the memorial, spreading mulch, repairing wooden planter boxes and power washing the memorial. Several veterans were among the group.
“It was truly a team effort, and we were privileged to play our part, especially in connection with a project that honors our veterans,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director Gordon Medenica. “Maintaining a culture of service is the guiding principle for state agencies. The annual Day To Serve reminds us of that, but it’s also a chance for us to have some fun as we get out into the community and work together to make a difference.”
In addition to Medenica, participants included Michael Frenz, executive director of the Maryland Stadium Authority; Dana Burl, director of outreach and advocacy for the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs; and Russell C. Ware, director of cemetery and memorial programs for the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs.