In August 1776, approximately 400 Maryland soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice at the Battle of Long Island, enabling General Washington’s army to fight another day. In August 2025, we gather to honor a different kind of hero – the service dogs who make daily sacrifices to ensure our veterans can live another day.
BLUF: Yesterday’s grand opening of the Maryland Museum of Military History’s renovated WWII and Civil War rooms, with special dedication to the Maryland 400, demonstrates our state’s commitment to preserving military heritage – a mission that continues with Charles County’s groundbreaking Veterans Service Dog Memorial launching September 20th.
🎖️ A Day of Military History Honor
On September 2nd, Major General Janeen L. Birckhead, The Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard, welcomed military history advocates to witness the unveiling of beautifully renovated World War II and Civil War exhibition rooms at the Fifth Regiment Armory in Baltimore. This grand opening, featuring a special dedication to the legendary Maryland 400, showcased our state’s dedication to preserving and honoring military service across all eras.Standing in those renovated halls, surrounded by artifacts and stories from America’s defining conflicts, reinforced a powerful truth: preserving military history isn’t just about the past – it’s about ensuring future generations understand the price of freedom.
🏛️ The Maryland 400: Heroes Worth Remembering
The special dedication to the Maryland 400 particularly resonated with those of us working to honor military service. These brave Continental soldiers, who fought valiantly during the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776, exemplified the sacrifice that has defined American military service for nearly 250 years. Their story – holding the line against overwhelming odds to allow Washington’s army to escape – represents the same spirit we see in today’s veterans and their service dog partners.
📚 Lessons from History
🎯 Sacrifice for others – Maryland 400 held the line so others could survive
🤝 Brotherhood in battle – Soldiers supporting soldiers under fire
🏛️ Legacy preservation – Their story inspires us 249 years later
💝 Community recognition – Maryland honors those who served
These same principles drive our Veterans Service Dog Memorial project – honoring sacrifice, celebrating partnership, preserving legacy, and demonstrating community recognition.
🔗 Connecting Past and Present Military Recognition
🏛️ Museum Network Collaboration
Baltimore’s Maryland Museum of Military History and Charles County’s Maryland Veterans Museum represent a powerful network of institutions dedicated to military heritage preservation:
✅ SHARED MISSION:
- 📚 Educational purpose – Teaching future generations about military service
- 🎖️ Veteran recognition – Honoring all eras of military sacrifice
- 🤝 Community engagement – Bringing military history to local audiences
- 💝 Preservation commitment – Ensuring stories survive for posterity
✅ COMPLEMENTARY FOCUS:
- Baltimore focus – Civil War, WWII, and Maryland military units
- Charles County innovation – First Veterans Service Dog Memorial nationwide
- Historical preservation – Past conflicts and heroes
- Contemporary recognition – Current veteran-service dog partnerships
🐕🦺 From Historical Battles to Modern Healing
While Baltimore’s museum preserves stories of battlefield courage, our Veterans Service Dog Memorial honors a different kind of heroism – the daily battles veterans fight with PTSD, TBI, and physical disabilities, supported by their four-legged partners.
🌟 Evolution of Military Support
- Civil War era – Field hospitals and battlefield medicine
- WWII generation – Advanced medical care and rehabilitation
- Modern warfare – Comprehensive mental health and service dog partnerships
- Future vision – Continued innovation in veteran care and support
The Maryland 400 fought with muskets and bayonets. Today’s veterans fight invisible battles with anxiety, nightmares, and hypervigilance. But the principle remains the same: no one fights alone.
🎯 Major General Birckhead’s Leadership Example
Major General Janeen L. Birckhead’s leadership in hosting yesterday’s grand opening demonstrates the kind of military leadership that inspires community action. Her commitment to preserving military history at the state level encourages local communities like Charles County to step forward with innovative recognition projects.
🎖️ Leadership Lessons Applied
- Vision casting – Seeing the importance of military history preservation
- Resource commitment – Investing in renovations and improvements
- Community engagement – Bringing people together around shared values
- Legacy building – Creating lasting tributes to military service
These same leadership principles guide our Veterans Service Dog Memorial project.
🏠 Charles County’s Historic Contribution
🚀 Innovation in Military Recognition
While Baltimore preserves historical military artifacts, Charles County is creating something unprecedented – America’s First Veterans Service Dog Memorial. This innovation represents:
🎯 GROUNDBREAKING RECOGNITION:
- 🐕🦺 First of its kind – No previous memorial dedicated specifically to veteran service dogs
- 🏛️ Permanent installation – Lasting tribute at Maryland Veterans Museum
- 🤝 Partnership focus – Honoring the bond between veterans and service dogs
- 🌍 National significance – Model for communities across America
📅 September 20th: Making History
Just 18 days after Baltimore’s grand opening, Charles County makes its own military history with the VSDM kickoff at the Maryland Veterans Museum. This timing isn’t coincidental – it represents Maryland’s comprehensive commitment to honoring military service across all eras and all forms.Just as the renovated rooms at Baltimore’s museum preserve the memory of the Maryland 400’s courage, our Veterans Service Dog Memorial will ensure future generations remember the four-legged heroes who continue serving our veterans today.
🤝 Community Champions Building Legacy
🎖️ Local Leadership
The Veterans Service Dog Memorial is being brought to life by dedicated community champions:
- “Sarge” Julie Muster Bryson – U.S. Army veteran and retired Charles County Veterans Service Manager, leading the memorial initiative with 23 years of VA claims experience
- Brian Piaquadio – Marine Corps veteran and Chewy’s partner, the inspiration behind this memorial representing countless veteran-service dog partnerships
- Maryland Veterans Museum with Mr. Lawrence Abell – Providing the perfect venue for this historic tribute
- Community partners who recognize that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off
💰 Investment in Recognition
- $9,000 major donation – Community leader’s significant financial commitment
- Business partnerships – Local companies providing services and sponsorship
- Brick campaign momentum – Individual donors joining the permanent memorial
- Volunteer support – Community members donating time and expertise
📚 Educational Mission Alignment
🎓 Teaching Future Generations
Both Baltimore’s renovated museum rooms and our Veterans Service Dog Memorial serve crucial educational purposes:
BALTIMORE’S CONTRIBUTION:
- 📖 Historical context – Civil War and WWII artifacts and stories
- 🎖️ Maryland military units – State-specific military heritage
- 🏛️ Traditional warfare – Conventional military conflicts and heroes
CHARLES COUNTY’S INNOVATION:
- 🐕🦺 Modern partnerships – Veteran-service dog relationships
- 🧠 Mental health awareness – PTSD, TBI, and invisible disabilities
- 🤝 Healing recognition – How service continues after combat ends
- 🌟 Hope demonstration – Showing that recovery and purpose are possible
🌍 Statewide Military Heritage Network
🤝 Collaborative Impact
Maryland’s military museums and memorials create a comprehensive network:
🏛️ HISTORICAL PRESERVATION:
- Annapolis – Naval Academy Museum and heritage
- Baltimore – Maryland Museum of Military History
- Frederick – National Museum of Civil War Medicine
- Charles County – Veterans Service Dog Memorial (launching September 20th)
📚 EDUCATIONAL COVERAGE:
- Revolutionary War – Maryland 400 and colonial military service
- Civil War – Maryland’s divided loyalties and battlefield contributions
- World Wars – Industrial mobilization and overseas service
- Modern conflicts – Vietnam through current operations and veteran care
🎯 September 20th: Continuing the Legacy
🎪 Historic Kickoff Event
The VSDM kickoff on September 20th at the Maryland Veterans Museum continues Maryland’s tradition of military recognition:
🎉 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
- 📸 Professional documentation – Step-and-repeat photography for this historic moment
- 🎤 Veteran testimonials – Real stories of service dog partnership transformation
- 🎨 Memorial design reveal – First public viewing of the permanent memorial vision
- 🧱 Brick campaign launch – Opportunities for individual memorial participation
- 🍽️ Community hospitality – Food service and fellowship for all attendees
🌟 Beyond September 20th
The memorial launch creates lasting impact:
- 🏛️ Permanent recognition – Service dogs honored for generations
- 📚 Educational resource – Teaching communities about service dog importance
- 💰 Funding catalyst – Inspiring donations to service dog training programs
- 🤝 Partnership platform – Connecting veterans with service dog organizations
💭 Reflections on Military Heritage
🎖️ Common Threads
Standing in Baltimore’s renovated museum rooms yesterday, surrounded by artifacts from the Maryland 400, Civil War regiments, and WWII units, the connection to our Veterans Service Dog Memorial became clear:SHARED VALUES:
- 🎯 Service before self – Putting others’ needs above personal comfort
- 🤝 Brotherhood/sisterhood – Supporting fellow service members
- 💪 Perseverance – Continuing the mission despite obstacles
- 🏛️ Legacy building – Creating something that outlasts individual service
These same values drive modern service dog partnerships and deserve the same recognition we give to historical military achievements.
🚀 Looking Forward: A Legacy of Recognition
🌟 Vision for the Future
Maryland’s commitment to military heritage preservation, demonstrated through Baltimore’s museum renovations and Charles County’s memorial innovation, creates a template for comprehensive veteran recognition:
🎯 IMMEDIATE IMPACT:
- September 20th kickoff – Historic launch of America’s first veteran service dog memorial
- Community engagement – Bringing people together around veteran support
- Educational platform – Teaching about modern veteran challenges and solutions
- National attention – Media coverage inspiring other communities
🏛️ LONG-TERM LEGACY:
- Permanent recognition – Memorial honoring service dog partnerships for generations
- Educational continuity – Ongoing teaching about veteran-service dog relationships
- Community gathering space – Venue for annual events and recognition ceremonies
- National model – Template for other communities to create similar memorials
🎖️ The Mission Continues
Yesterday’s grand opening in Baltimore reminded us that preserving military history requires community commitment, leadership vision, and ongoing investment. Today, Charles County carries that mission forward with our Veterans Service Dog Memorial.
🎯 From the Maryland 400’s sacrifice in 1776 to today’s veterans finding healing through service dog partnerships, the thread of service continues. Our memorial ensures that thread remains unbroken for future generations.
When visitors see both Baltimore’s historical exhibits and Charles County’s service dog memorial, they’ll understand the complete story of military service – from battlefield courage to post-service healing, from historical sacrifice to modern partnership.
September 20th at the Maryland Veterans Museum – Where military history preservation meets innovative veteran recognition.
For information about the September 20th VSDM kickoff event, memorial brick purchases, or volunteer opportunities, contact the organizing committee. Together, we’re continuing Maryland’s proud tradition of honoring military service across all eras.
🎖️ ~Sarge
Julie Muster Bryson, M.S., CAP
Boots 2 Benefits LLC
sarge@boots2benefits.com | +1 (443) 924-6809
“You served. You earned it. Now file with confidence.”
⚠️ Even Sarge isn’t infallible—I’ve been known to mix up my left from my right during formation 🤷♀️, so always double-check everything I tell you because while my heart’s in the right place, my brain occasionally goes AWOL. The last thing we need is a friendly fire incident! 🚫🔥