5-21-2025 5:02am

MD GUARD HONORS

Maryland National Guard hosts annual Fallen Warrior ceremony

Photo By Staff Sgt. Alexandra Huettner | The Maryland National Guard honored 13 Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice

REISTERSTOWN, Md. - The Maryland National Guard held its annual Fallen Warrior Memorial ceremony at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation, May 4, 2025, to honor the Maryland Army National Guard Soldiers who gave their lives in defense of the state and nation during the Global War on Terror.

The event included a wreath-laying ceremony and music by the Maryland Army National Guard’s 229th Army Band during the remembrance for Maryland’s 13 fallen Guard members.

Maryland Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Janeen Birckhead, the adjutant general of Maryland, Maryland Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Andrew Collins, assistant adjutant general – Army, and Maryland Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Drew Dougherty, assistant adjutant general – Air, participated in the wreath-laying and rendered a salute during the playing of Taps as part of the the official party.

“We are here today to remember 13 Maryland National Guard warriors who gave everything, 13 lives, each with hopes, families, friends and so much more,” said Birckhead. “It came with risk, it came with hardship, and it came with the ultimate cost. They didn't seek recognition. They didn't serve the glory. They stood up because someone needed to. They answered the call without hesitation.”

While the names of the fallen were announced, the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard placed identification tags of fallen Soldiers on a re-created memorial statue, while military members, elected officials, and family members of the fallen shared in the remembrance.

“It means everything to have opportunity for us to honor him and to have conversations with other people who knew our dad,” said Erin Bowen, daughter of Sgt. 1st Class Collin Bowen, who died March 14, 2008, from injuries sustained in Khost province, Afghanistan. “We are truly blessed to have the opportunity, and to be called to come out to this event. It's amazing to have so many people already come up to us and say, ‘What do you need? How can we help you? How else can we support you?’ It is just absolutely amazing.”

This year’s ceremony, which took place inside due to inclement weather, reaffirmed the Maryland National Guard’s steadfast pledge to preserve the legacy of the fallen.

The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Maryland State Senator Ben Brooks from District 10, a Vietnam veteran, who reflected on the importance of ensuring acts of courage are never forgotten—especially when someone gives their life in service.

“When we're having these type of memorials, it means a lot to me,” said Brooks. “They served. They protected our freedom. Liberty, it's predicated on what those particular comrades did. So we, we've got to acknowledge that.”