The Maryland Day program began with a welcome and the raising of the
United State flag by members of the American Legion Post 221 in
Avenue, MD. |
Father John Barry offered a very heartfelt and meaningful
invocation at the Maryland Day program. Father Barry serves as
pastor of Holy Angels Catholic Church in Avenue, MD. and finds
great meaning in the first Roman Catholic Mass celebrated on St.
Clement's Island by the Maryland colonists in 1634, having escaped
religious persecution in England. |
Highlighting the Maryland Day program was the keynote address by St.
Mary's County Public Schools Superintendent Michael Martirano. As a
Maryland native and educator, he shared his love and passion for the
state of Maryland and the significance of it's history that begins
at its birthplace -- St. Clement's Island. |
The program concluded with the singing of Maryland's state song,
"Maryland, My Maryland, " performed by the Ladyes Fayre choral
group from Leonardtown High School, lead by choral director Jim
Bowser. |
