Maryland Weekly News
Morgan State Marches into History
By Michele D. Manigault Photos Courtesy Morgan State University
More than 100 band members from Morgan State University found themselves on the world's stage during the 80th Anniversary celebration of D-Day—the fierce World War II battle that marked a turning point in the war against Nazi Germany.
Although the hard-fought battle didn't end the war in Europe, it created the path to victory. Paris was liberated from Nazi Germany just a few short months later on Aug. 25, 1944.
Students and staff got to walk on the very beach where allied troops went ashore in the largest land, air and sea invasion of its kind.
"Being there was surreal, " said band director and music professor Jorim Reid, whose grandfather Willie Barron Sr. served during the historic battle. "People reallly need to grasp and understand what went into this experience."
The bullet holes and damage from artillery rounds are still visible on the clifts at the beach said Reid. More than 2,000 American service members died on that day and were buried in the American cemetery in Normandy.
"My grandfather always said, 'War is not glamorous,'" said Reid.
The band participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the American Cemetery and marched and performed in the 80th-anniversary parade and a parade at Disneyland in Paris.
At the cemetery, the band played a version of "Taps " and "America the Beautiful" arranged by Reid.
He described the music as "solemn and melodic with a triumphant ending that was still reverent. "
"The trip was a life-changing experience for our students," said Reid, an avid supporter of travel experiences for students.
The celebrations drew more than 25 heads of state from around the world including President Biden to the event which commemorated the Allied invasion of France on June 6, 1944.
"This single day stands out in history," according to World War II museum historians. "The stakes were so great. The impact so monumental."
BALTIMORE VIGIL
HONORS LIVES
BY MICHELE D. MANIGAULT
On Wednesday, Jan. 3, Mayor Brandon M. Scott ,city officials, elected leaders, community partners and church and other religious leaders attended the City of Baltimore's Annual Vigil of Remembrance, marking the first time the event has been held in person since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The vigil honored the memory of residents who lost their lives in 2023 due to violence, suicide, fatal overdose or those who died in the line of duty in Baltimore.
"The Vigil of Remembrance is about holding space for and remembering those we lost this year from our children to our elders, no matter whether the causes is viol0ence, fatal overdose or suicide, " said Brandon M. Scott, Baltimore's mayor. "We remember those we lost as neighbors, as Baltimoreans,"
"They are not statistics— they are parents, children, brothers, sisters, friends and neighbors. Every loss we have experienced this year, we feel as a community. As a city we take this time to wrap our arms around the loved ones they leave behind and commit ourselves to collective healing — all while working every single day to build a safer, brighter future for Baltimore. "
The names of 263 people who died as a result of violence were read aloud by elected leaders, city officials and members of the community.
"The men and women of our police department feel the loss of every Baltimorean, and it is a deep desire to save lives that drives us to go out there and do the work to build a safer city each and every day," said Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley. "It's important that we stand together to memorialize those we've lost to remind ourselves of why we do this work."