First Flag Raised At New Pines Yacht Club Has Normandy Link

First Flag Raised At New Pines Yacht Club Has Normandy Link
First

BERLIN –Two World War II veterans honored the Ocean Pines community last weekend by raising a flag that once flew over the American cemetery at Normandy in front of the Ocean Pines Yacht Club.

Maryland Senator Jim Mathias speaks with World War II Army veteran John Sauer at last Saturday’s ceremony. Photos by Charlene Sharpe

Maryland Senator Jim Mathias speaks with World War II Army veteran John Sauer at last Saturday’s ceremony. Photos by Charlene Sharpe

On Jan. 10, more than 100 people braved brisk winter temperatures to watch veterans John Sauer and Nate Pearson raise the first flag at the Yacht Club. It was just the third time the flag has flown.

“This means so much,” said Sharyn O’Hare, a member of the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors. “We’re very honored to have this flag at the Yacht Club.”

The flag, which was flown in 2004 over the American Cemetery at Normandy and again at the dedication of the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in 2005, was raised Saturday and will soon be on permanent display inside the Yacht Club.

Marie Gilmore, president of the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Board of Directors, said the organization wanted to honor the new $4.75 million Yacht Club with the flag because Ocean Pines is home to a number of World War II veterans.

“It’s very special because it flew over the American cemetery in Normandy,” Gilmore said. “It’s flying today in honor of Ocean Pines residents who were in World War II who have passed.”

Sauer, an Army veteran, said he felt privileged to be asked to raise the flag. He reminded those present how many Americans died fighting for their country during World War II.

“Thanks to everybody who’s been to see their graves,” he said.

Sauer, who received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service during the war, was part of the fourth wave of soldiers that

Veterans Nate Pearson and John Sauer are pictured with Ocean Pines Association General Manager Bob Thompson raising a flag from Normandy last weekend.

Veterans Nate Pearson and John Sauer are pictured with Ocean Pines Association General Manager Bob Thompson raising a flag from Normandy last weekend.

landed at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944.

Nelson Kelly, president of the Ocean City chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, thanked Sauer and his fellow veterans. He said his group wanted to offer area veterans the chance to see the Washington D.C. memorials in their honor and would be hosting an all-expenses-paid bus trip to the nation’s capital on March 24.

“We’d love to have all World War II veterans come,” he said.

O’Hare, too, thanked the community’s veterans and added that there would be a large ceremony honoring America’s soldiers on Memorial Day to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Worcester County Veterans Memorial.

Gilmore, who was amazed with Saturday’s turnout, said the memorial had proved surprisingly popular with area residents during the past decade.

“This is an extremely patriotic community,” she said, adding that the annual Memorial Day ceremony attracted thousands of people. “People love the memorial.”

Resident Les Purcell said he attended last Saturday’s flag raising ceremony and events like it because he liked celebrating his country and the soldiers who fought for it.

“I think it’s important we keep it that way,” he said.