Notable News
Press Release
Howard County American Legion, VFW, and Marine Corps League
Memorial Day Ceremonies
The annual Howard County Veteran Service Organizations Memorial Day Ceremonies will occur on Sunday May 26th and Monday May 27th.
On Sunday May 26th at Noon, Howard County’s American Legion Post 156 and Marine Corps League Detachment 1084 will conduct a Memorial Day Ceremony at St. John Episcopal Church in Ellicott City, Maryland (9120 Frederick Road). The Color Guard will be provided by the Howard County Civil Air Patrol, and the Guest Speaker will be Cole Schnorf, a Gold Star Family Member, who will be providing comments on the meaning of Memorial Day for a Gold Star Family Member.
On Sunday May 26th at 2:00pm, Howard County’s VFW Post 7472 will conduct a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Ellicott City VFW Post 7472 Post (4225 VFW Lane). The Color Guard will be provided by VFW Post 7472, and the Guest Speaker will be Naomi Ling, a graduating River Hill High School Senior, National Merit Scholarship Winner, award-winning Poet, and Founder of the RHHS Students Partner with Veterans Club – Naomi will be providing a talk on the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn (and the ultimate sacrifice of the Maryland 400).
On Monday May 27th at 8:00am, Howard County’s Marine Corps League Detachment 1084 will take part in the Harriet Tubman Memorial Day Ceremony hosted by the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center, 8045 Harriet Tubman Ln, Columbia, MD. The Color Guard will be provided by the Howard High School Junior ROTC Unit, and the Guest Speaker will be the County Executive, Dr. Calvin Ball. Dr. Ball is the proud son and grandson of US military Veterans; his efforts have ensured the success of the Millie Bailey Park, the future Veterans and Military Families Monument located near the Columbia Mall, and numerous Veteran and Family Member initiatives for Howard County.
A wreath laying ceremony will occur during all 3 ceremonies. All are invited to observe this patriotic ceremony rendering final honors to Our Nation’s Colors.
Howard County Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) include the American Legion Posts 156 and 300, VFW Post 7472, Marine Corps League Detachment 1084, the Civil Air Patrol, The Colonel Dorsey Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Charles Carroll Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Maryland Gold Star Mothers and Maryland Chapter Chesapeake Blue Star Mothers, and the Students Partnering with Veterans Club.
For more information on Howard County’s Memorial Day Ceremonies, please contact: Greg Jolissaint, Public Affairs Officer, American Legion Post 156, email pao_legion_post_156_maryland@yahoo.com
Death Notice
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that MSgt Walter Taylor USMC Retired and brother of our namesake SSgt Karl G. Taylor, Sr. has reported to the Supreme Commandant.
Further will be reported to you as received. Please keep his devoted wife Jayne in your thoughts and prayers during this time of great sorrow.
Colonel Lou Schott, USMC, Ret. Honored
On Wednesday, November 29, 2023 close to 200 Veterans, active duty Marines, friends and family gathered to pay their final respects to Col. Lou Schott, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart recipient earned in the battles of Peleliu and Okinawa 1944/1945. Col. Lou Schott died at the age of 103 and was a resident of Howard County Maryland. He was an active member of the American Legion Post 156, VFW Post 7472 and Marine Corps League Detachment 1084. The Col. was buried with high honors. There was the March-on of the Marine Corps ceremonial detachment to include the riderless horse, empty boots reversed in the stirrups and the Col.’s Mameluke sword in the saddle. This was followed by a flyover of an Osprey Marine aircraft followed by a special appearance by the Secretary of the Navy. The ceremony ended with the delivery of the folded flag to the five daughters, a special hand salute from the Marine Corps league followed by the singing of the three versus Marines hymn. May his gallantry in combat, love for freedom and commitment to the Marine Corps and his family NEVER BE FORGOTTEN…
Colonel Lou Schott Interment
Col. Lou Schott’s Burial Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery
Wednesday, 29 November 2023
Col Lou Schott’s interment at Arlington National Cemetery.
Ceremony begins at 1100hrs.
Arrive NO EARLIER THAN 1000hrs and NO LATER THAN 1045hrs.
Carpool: via commercial bus courtesy of American Legion Post 156
Max capacity 48 seats: 30 seats remain avilable
No fee for the commercial bus
Tip for the driver, $2.00 per each is suggested
How to register: contact Past Commander Ed Hall
410-340-7892
EHALL@Telecomxchange.com
Special Instructions: There will be a Cemetery attendant with a sign bearing Col Lou Schott’s name who will instruct ceremony participants where they can park their vehicles.
Colonel Lou Schott Viewing
Retired Marine Colonel Louis John Schott of Marriottsville, Maryland passed away on July 10, 2023 after a brief illness. He was less than a month from turning 103 years old!
On July 16, 2023, numerous veterans for various organizations, friends, family, and Howard County Executive, Dr. Calvin Ball, attended the viewing. Active-duty Marines performed a sheathing of the sword ceremony. Lou will be greatly missed.
Due to a backlog in burials, the interment of Col. Lou Schott’s mortal remains at Arlington National Cemetery will be delayed.
Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey to Louis and Anna Schott and the youngest of eight children, he graduated from LaSalle University, joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was commissioned an infantry officer in 1943. He served as a rifle Platoon Leader in the battle of Peleliu in 1944. Wounded in action, he was medically evacuated where he recovered from his wounds and was sent back into action. As a rifle company commander in the battle of Okinawa, 1945, he was awarded the Silver Star medal for gallantry in combat against enemy forces. After the war, he joined the Marine Corps Reserve where he served until his retirement at the rank of Colonel. As a civilian, he worked as a management analyst for the Social Security Administration and retired in 1977. In his later years Colonel Schott was very active in Howard County military organizations.
– from Witzke Funeral Home – Louis John Schott obituary
Colonel Lou Schott awarded the Silver Star
On May 18, 2023, our detachment attended an award ceremony at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7472. Our own retired United States Marine Corps Colonel Lou Schott had his Bronze Star Medal officially upgraded to a Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action during the Battle of Okinawa on June 20, 1945. Schott’s valorous combat actions reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping within the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. At 102 years old, Scott is the oldest-ranking U.S. Marine Corps officer. The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces. For photos, see Defense Visual Information Distribution Service – WWII Era Marine Awarded Silver Star Medal.
Flag Retirement Ceremony
On April 23, 2023, our detachment, the American Legion Post 156, American Legion Columbia Post 300, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7472, Scout Troop 540, and Howard County Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron participated in a flag retirement ceremony.
The United States Flag Code, Title 4, Section 8k states
The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
Commandant Bill Swain salutes Marv Stocker, American Legion Post 156 Committee Chair for Flag Retirement and Sergeant-at-Arms for the burn detail.
Scouts present the colors.
The Howard County Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron stands in formation at parade rest.
Flag retirement is a solemn, dignified event.
Scouts participate in the burn detail.
Marine Corps League
Detachment # 1084
Meetings
Yingling-Ridgely VFW and Auxiliary Post 7472, 4225 VFW Lane, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043-5428.
Every fourth Tuesday of the month at 1900 (7pm).