Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label People Tributes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label People Tributes. Show all posts

Monday, May 04, 2020

The Westminster Fire Department remembers past Westminster Fire Department Chief Robert DuVall


The Westminster Fire Department remembers past Westminster Fire Department Chief Robert DuVall

April 23, 2004 – April 23, 2020 by Kevin Dayhoff

WW II Marine Veteran, Small Business Owner, Welder, and an Avid Motorcyclist

On Friday, April 23, 2004, Carroll County and the greater Westminster community suffered a great loss with the passing of Robert Emerson DuVall, 81, of Westminster.

He was a 1939 graduate of Westminster High School.

During World War II, he served with the 3rd Marines, 4th Air Wing in the Marshall Islands, Guam, and Pelilu.

https://dayhoffwestminster.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-westminster-fire-department.html

Mr. DuVall was born July 12, 1922, in Carroll County, he was the son of the late G. Wilmer and Mercedes Brown DuVall.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 53 years, Leona Hammett DuVall, are daughter and son-in-law Donna and Robert Shaeffer of Westminster; son and daughter-in-law Robert Emerson DuVall II and Patsi DuVall of Atlanta; sister and brother-in-law Donna DuVall Sellman and Russell A. Sellman of Westminster. Granddaughters Nicole DuVall Pomeroy and husband Tim, and Laci DuVall Shaeffer; grandson Robert Emerson DuVall III; and great-grandson Daniel DuVall Pomeroy.

He was a 1939 graduate of Westminster High School. During World War II, he served with the 3rd Marines, 4th Air Wing in the Marshall Islands, Guam, and Pelilu.

He was the owner of Mobile Welding Service, which he founded in 1948. He was the 11th state certified welder in Maryland. 

An avid motorcyclist and trap shooter, he was the Maryland State Trapshooting Handicap Champion in 1966. He was a member of Westminster United Methodist Church, VFW Post 467 and a life member of North Carroll and Carroll County gun clubs. He was a past chief of Westminster Fire Department.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they adjust to life without him. This Memorial Tribute by the Westminster Mayor, Common Council and the Staff of The City of Westminster on behalf of the citizens of the City of Westminster, was signed in Westminster City Hall, this April Twenty-fifth in the year Two Thousand and Four. Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff






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Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Common Council
Westminster Municipal election May 14, 2019
Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT
Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/
Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

Dayhoff for Westminster: www.kevindayhoff.info
Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net
Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org
Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/  

Sunday, March 10, 2019

A tribute to the passing of 4 great Carroll countians who made a difference: Haddad McDonald Schaeffer Law


A tribute to the passing of 4 Carroll countians

10Mar2019 by Kevin Dayhoff

https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff/posts/10215983059342901

Seems that my Sunday article in the Carroll County Times is not online. Makes me sad. The good news is that the paper printed the long version. The story may be accessed in the digital edition – find it here: http://tinyurl.com/4GR8CCians

The year 2019 has hardly begun and already the march of time has not been kind for a number of older, distinguished Carroll countians.

Among the folks who have made a difference in the community, whom we have lost in the first two months of the year are: • Richard Haddad, 77, who died Thursday, January 31, 2019. • David McDonald, 68, a former pharmaceutical representative and owner of Westminster Rare Coins who died Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Bobbye Schaeffer, 93, of the Schaeffer Lumber Company family in Westminster, died Friday, February 15, 2019 at Lorien Nursing and Rehab Center in Taneytown. • Dr. Alton Law, 85, of Westminster died Tuesday, February 19, 2019 from complications related to a rare neurological disease.

For now, until the story is posted online – you can read it in the digital edition: http://digitaledition.carrollcountytimes.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=71f79254-b725-40a7-9515-18ad93192e5b&fbclid=IwAR2Ei6OWXOJIr2U4oTbGC_spIxxuEguiDJfKVuORDewEzc64R9sz__AkgV4

The “Life&Times” section of the Carroll County Times may be found here: http://digitaledition.carrollcountytimes.com/html5/mobile/production/default.aspx?pubid=b45ee690-df4b-4d65-9c5f-583e98fcc731

https://wordpress.com/block-editor/post/kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/1014



https://dayhoffwestminster.blogspot.com/2019/03/a-tribute-to-passing-of-4-great-carroll.html

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Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Common Council
Westminster Municipal election May 14, 2019
Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT
Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/
Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

Dayhoff for Westminster: www.kevindayhoff.info
Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net
Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org
Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/  

John H. Cunningham was a charter member of the Md. State Fireman’s Assoc.

John H. Cunningham was a charter member of the Md. State Fireman’s Assoc.

 

At the time of his death, Cunningham “was believed to be McDaniel - Western Maryland College's oldest living alumnae… and the State's only living charter member of the Maryland State Fireman's Association

 

When John Cunningham died, he was America's Oldest Banker in Years of Continuous Service. He was a lifelong member of the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose co. No. 1.

 

February 24, 2019 by Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No 1 Chaplain Kevin Dayhoff

 

It is only fitting and appropriate that from time to time we take a moment to remember some of the many great Carroll Countians that have gone before us.

 

On December 31, 1965, John Cunningham passed away within a few hours of 99th birthday. Local historian Jay Graybeal wrote of “his rich life, including his interests in bicycling, walking and poker,” in a March 16, 1997 column in the Carroll County Times.

An earlier shorter version of this story appeared in the Carroll County Times on January 13th, 2019. Please find the article here: https://www.carrollcountytimes.com/columnists/features/cc-lt-dayhoff-011319-story.html. This version of a story about Mr. Cunningham is the long version with all the edits restored.

Finding a picture of Mr. Cunningham has been nearly impossible – except, I did finally find a picture of him at the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 - although the picture was damaged by the April 6, 1906 H. H. Harbaugh's Palace Livery Stable fire. The livery stable and residence was located next to the Fire House on East Main St in Westminster. The fire, which destroyed the huge building, also burned a portion of the Westminster fire station and the Westminster city offices that were located on the second floor of the station.

To put 1965 and the mid-1960s into some perspective, our country was just beginning a new phase of the Vietnam War; with the introduction of the first combat troops on February 9, 1965. Before we had, “advisors” engaged in the conflict. Later in the year, on November 14, the Battle of the Ia Drang began in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. It was the first major engagement of the war between regular American and North Vietnamese forces. Shortly afterwards, the pentagon told President Lyndon Johnson that the number of troops needed to be increased from 120,000 to 400,000.

At home, the Civil Rights movement was on the forefront of many as around 1965 was the last year that restaurants and such were segregated in Westminster. Malcolm X was assassinated in New York at the Audubon Ballroom on February 21.

Bloody Sunday had occurred on March 7 as 600 civil rights marchers were attacked by state and local police with billy clubs and tear gas. Led by Martin Luther King, Jr. civil rights marchers were finally successful, after three attempts, to walk from Selma to Montgomery in Alabama. On August 6, President Johnson signed into law the Voting Rights Act of 1965. 

It was 1964 that Carroll County administrator George Grier went to New York to begin negotiations with Random House to build a book distribution center in Westminster. At that time in the negotiations, adequate supplies of water was a sticking point, among many issues that were subsequently ironed out before the facility opened on July 14, 1967, according to “From Our Front Porch,” a history of Carroll County from 1900-1999, by Jim Lee.

And oh in 1964 ice cream cost 89 cents per half gallon

Graybeal shared with us Cunningham’s obituary, which appeared on January 1, 1966, in an unidentified newspaper. The obituary began: "John H. Cunningham, believed to have been the oldest banker in the United States, died yesterday at his home… His wife, the former Mary Irwin, died in 1949… He was a past master of the Masonic order and was a member of the Westminster Church of Christ.”

Cunningham was born on New Year’s Day in 1867. According to his obit, “On January 1, 1885, while a senior at Western Maryland College, Mr. Cunningham began his banking career as a clerk with the Farmers and Mechanics National Bank, [at 105 E. Main St. in Westminster] following the footsteps of his father William, who was a clerk there.”

He worked in the same office, with the same employer for his entire life – from 1885 until when he passed away in 1965. “Many days he walked the mile to work from his home at 95 West Green Street.” 

Graybeal reported; “His long career in banking was recognized by a telegram from President Kennedy in 1963.” 

The telegram said: "Congratulations on being named by your friends and associates in Westminster and Carroll County as "America's Oldest Banker in Years of Continuous Service." Your 77 years record as a banker is certainly an impressive one and you deserve all the honors, which have been given you…”

He was well-known for his punctuality and folklore attests that “fellow employees reportedly set their watches by him,” as he would arrive at his desk “every working day promptly at 9 a.m. and would not leave until 3 in the afternoon…” It was also noted “that Mr. Cunningham had not missed a town meeting in Westminster since 1883, the year he became old enough to vote.

Cunningham played poker every Tuesday night between 7 and 11 p.m. sharp, at “Thelma Hoffman's restaurant at 216 E. Main Street [later known as Cockey’s Tavern] in Westminster.” Among his partners were Ben Thomas, Paul Whitmore, Miller Richardson, Ralph Bonsack, Frank Leidy, Theodore Brown and Norman Boyle.”

Cunningham was also well known for his New Year’s Day tradition of an all day poker game, “that began promptly at 11 a.m., broke for dinner at 5 p.m., then resumed until 11 p.m.”

At the time of his death, Cunningham “was believed to be Western Maryland College's oldest living alumnae… and the State's only living charter member of the Maryland State Fireman's Association.”

The January 1, 1966 obituary reported that: “Cunningham's interest in politics was rewarded during the Coolidge Administration with his appointment in 1923 as Surveyor of Customs at Baltimore, a post he held for nine years. In 1911, Mr. Cunningham ran unsuccessfully for State Comptroller.”

“Beside politics and poker, Mr. Cunningham loved walking. On weekends as late as 1964, he hiked along country roads, a white handkerchief tied to his cane, for safety.”

When he was 97 years old, he explained in a November 1964 interview: "I only walk half as far and about half as fast as I used to… It's a strain to walk more than 4 or 5 miles…"

“In his earlier days… [he] was a bicyclist of renown… According to a banker's association bulletin, in 1898 he bicycled 200 miles from Westminster to Atlantic City, N.J…” He waited to give up driving until he was approximately 92 years old.

In full disclosure, I met Cunningham in the early 1960s upon the occasion of one of his visits to City Hall to talk with City of Westminster Mayor Joseph L. Mathias who served on the Westminster Common Council May 1927 to May 1937 and Mayor from May 18, 1942 to December 3, 1963. To the best of my knowledge, I have only written about Cunningham a couple of times. Most notably, a portion of this column was previously published in 2006.

Carroll County is fortunate to have many great community leaders still with us. We should all take time to pause and thank them for their service to our community – whether we agree with them or disagree. 

Every one of them is working hard to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. In 2019, may we all work hard to rekindle a renewed sense of civility and have as full and vigorous a life as Mr. John Cunningham – playing poker, bicycling and walking many four or five miles is optional. God Bless and Happy New Year. 




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Westminster, Maryland, Cunningham, history, MSFA, 

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Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Common Council
Westminster Municipal election May 14, 2019
Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT
Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/
Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

Dayhoff for Westminster: www.kevindayhoff.info
Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net
Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org
Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/  

Friday, February 08, 2019

Marine, local business owner Charles Zincon, 93, of Westminster

Marine, local business owner Charles Zincon, 93, of Westminster

Charles Zincon, a quiet community leader who owned Modern Ideal Laundry and Dry Cleaners for 40-years, passed away on January 12, 2019

By Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 Chaplain Kevin Dayhoff

February 7, 2019

About a month ago, a fellow Marine, Charles Zincon, a quiet community leader, who worked hard and tirelessly and helped make Westminster what it is today – passed away on January 12, 2019 at the age of 93. He was born in Tannery on September 22, 1925.

He attended Westminster High School before he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served in the Pacific Theater throughout World War II. After returning home, he and his late wife owned Modern Ideal Laundry and Dry Cleaners on East Green Street in Westminster, for over 40-years.

Mr. Zincon was awesome people. A little known fact – he was the bartender at my wedding reception.

He was not a sports star or a Hollywood actor. However, he was a big deal. He a local community business owner, who got up every day and worked about a 12-hour day, contributed to his community, his local church and local civic organizations.

He did not make a fuss. He was not one to boast or draw attention to himself. He died with little notice from the community. Many folks these days are not aware of his quiet contributions to our community.

His death was not the topic of headlines in the newspaper, or a segment on the local television news. There was little mention of his passing on social media.

Athletes and movie stars have never been my heroes. I always felt that such hero worship was misplaced, displaced, and inappropriate.

I always felt such Hollywood and sports hero worship sent the wrong message to our children and demonstrated a wrong set of values for our community. My heroes have always been local business owners, teachers, soldiers, police officers, fire fighters, and public servants.

As a native of Westminster and an avid amateur historian, I realized as a child that one could not study the history of accomplishment for a city such as Westminster without first understanding the history of leadership that this community has been provided by local business owners, teachers, soldiers, police officers, fire fighters, and public servants.

We all belong to God and to Him we shall return.

Rest in peace brother, your watch is over we will take it from here, you duty is done here, God has your place in heaven. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

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Obituary for Charles L. Zincon, Jr.

Charles L. Zincon Jr. “Junior,” 93, of Westminster passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 12, 2019 in Wellspring Village at Brightview surrounded by family and friends.

He was born on September 22, 1925 in Tannery (Westminster), Maryland, the son of the late Charles Lewis Zincon Sr. and Esther Freberthauser Lockard, brother of the late Eileen Zincon Gill, and the loving and devoted husband of the late Catherine Jane Zincon.

He attended Westminster Senior High School until he enlisted in the Marine Corps. Charles served as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After his service, he received an honorable discharge.

After his discharge, Charles attended the National Institute of Dry Cleaning. With his brother-in-law, Roy E. Gill Jr., he bought New Ideal Cleaning and Laundry. For over 40 years, he and his late wife owned Modern Ideal Laundry and Dry Cleaners.

Charles was a member of the Door to Virtue Masonic Lodge #46, Life Member of the V.F.W. Molleville Farm Post 467, and American Legion Post 31. He is a past President of the Westminster Optimist, and Parishioner and Council Member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Westminster.

Surviving are daughter and son-in-law Joyce A. and Michael Dempsey of Westminster, son and daughter-in-law Charles L. Zincon III and Joni Zincon of Westminster.

Grandchildren Kelly Dempsey and partner Chad Brough, Liam Dempsey and wife Casey, Haley Zincon, Macy Zincon; great-grandchildren Devin Andrews, Courtney Andrews, and Kieran Dempsey; nieces Sharon Gill, Melissa Stump, and Mary Armacost; and Brightview Family and Friends.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm at Pritts Funeral Home & Chapel, 412 Washington Rd., Westminster. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 11am at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Leister’s Church Rd. Reception to follow. Interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Carroll Hospice, St. John’s Lutheran Church, the Alzheimer’s Association, and any charitable organization supporting veterans.

Online condolences may be offered at www.prittsfuneralhome.com.

https://www.prittsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=4011599#/obituaryInfo

https://patch.com/maryland/westminster/marine-local-business-owner-charles-zincon-93-westminster

https://www.facebook.com/notes/kevin-earl-dayhoff/marine-local-business-owner-charles-zincon-93-of-westminster/10156189914427654/

https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/2019/02/08/marine-local-business-owner-charles-zincon-93-of-westminster/

*****

Saturday, May 06, 2017

Dayhoff: Judge Weant's distinguished service on the Md. Court of Special Appeals


Dayhoff: Judge Weant's distinguished service on the Md. Court of Special Appeals July 11, 2016 by Kevin E. Dayhoff http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/columnists/ph-ce-dayhoff-071016-20160710-column.html

For the reader that was looking for the article that I wrote about Judge Edward O. Weant Jr. July 11, 2016 by Kevin E. Dayhoff Please enjoy.

Weant was born in Westminster on April 9, 1918. He died on February 10, 1999 at the age of 80. A Feb. 13, 1999… Weant, another well-respected jurist from Carroll County served on the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, the second highest court in Maryland — from 1979-1988.

Weant was elected to the Maryland State Senate in 1958 and 1964. In 1963, "he sponsored a move to allow Carroll County residents to vote on whether to approve the Maryland Accommodations law. The law was the first in a state below the Mason-Dixon Line that required public businesses to open to African-Americans. July 11, 2016 by Kevin E. Dayhoff http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/columnists/ph-ce-dayhoff-071016-20160710-column.html


For the reader that was looking for the article that I wrote about Judge Edward O. Weant Jr. July 11, 2016 by Kevin E. Dayhoff Please enjoy.

Dayhoff: Judge Weant's distinguished service on the Md. Court of Special Appeals July 11, 2016 by Kevin E. Dayhoff http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/columnists/ph-ce-dayhoff-071016-20160710-column.html

Recent articles about the June 1 appointment of Carroll County native son Joe Getty to the state's highest court and his subsequent investiture on June 27 have prompted quite a number of reader questions.

Several readers wanted to know more about the four judges from Carroll County that sat on the Maryland Court of Appeals before Getty was appointed — and why Judge Edward O. Weant Jr. was not mentioned.

Weant, another well-respected jurist from Carroll County served on the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, the second highest court in Maryland — from 1979-1988. According to the Maryland State Archives, "The Court of Special Appeals is an appellate court. It was established in 1966 to ease the caseload of the Court of Appeals and to facilitate resolution of cases requiring appellate adjudication.

Weant was born in Westminster on April 9, 1918. He died on February 10, 1999 at the age of 80. A Feb. 13, 1999, Baltimore Sun article written by Fred Rasmussen indicates that "Judge Weant lived his entire life in the 1890s brick house on Willis Street in Westminster where he was born and raised, the son of an attorney. He was a familiar figure on the streets of Westminster, where he took daily walks to and from the courthouse."

Many in the community also fondly mentioned his wife, Sarah Morriss Weant, who died just a few years ago, on Dec. 1, 2010 at the age of 87.

Judge Weant earned his bachelor's degree from Western Maryland (now McDaniel) College in 1941. He was months away from a master's degree at Harvard Business School when he was drafted into the Army, according to Rasmussen.



*****

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Writer and author Joseph F. Steffen Jr., 57, died Fri. Jan. 27, 2017


Writer and author Joseph F. Steffen Jr., 57, died Fri. Jan. 27, 2017
By Jacques Kelly and Luke Broadwater, The Baltimore Sun, Feb. 1, 2017 http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/obituaries/bs-md-ob-joseph-steffen-20170201-story.html

Joseph F. Steffen Jr., a Republican political operative who enjoyed describing himself as the "Prince of Darkness," died of coronary disease Friday at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. The Dundalk resident was 57.

His daughter Jennifer Steffen, with whom he lived, said her father suffered two strokes several years ago.

Born in Baltimore and raised in Reisterstown, he was the son of Joseph F. Steffen Sr., a machinist, and Anne Steffen. He attended Sacred Heart School and was a 1977 Franklin High School graduate. He then did odd jobs before he began working as a speechwriter in Republican politics.

"He was noticed for an article he wrote in a Reisterstown newspaper, and went on to work for [conservative figures] Linda Chavez and Richard Viguerie," his daughter said. "On the basis of that initial article, he was noticed by the National Conservative Action Committee, and at age 23, he became a press secretary for it."

Mr. Steffen was best known for his work in the rough-and-tumble world of Maryland politics, including more than a decade working for former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.


Writer and author Joseph F. Steffen Jr., 57, died Fri. Jan. 27, 2017 http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2017/02/writer-and-author-joseph-f-steffen-jr.html
*****

Monday, January 30, 2017

Our community lost a number of distinguished community leaders in 2016


Our community lost a number of distinguished community leaders in 2016  http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2017/01/our-community-lost-number-of.html

Dayhoff: Carroll made great by many who have recently passed away

By Kevin Dayhoff January 27, 2017 Our community lost a number of distinguished community leaders in 2016. http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/columnists/features/history/ph-cc-dayhoff-012917-20170127-column.html

Recently, a number of us gathered to trade stories and pay our respects to Woody Swam at the Eckhardt Funeral Chapel in Manchester.

[…]

“An old African proverb says, "When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground." This winter I have attended more funerals than I care to recall. Many of the folks were in their 80s or 90s. Community leaders, who by their sacrifice, hard work, and endeavor, helped make Carroll County what it is we enjoy today. In their passing, they take volumes of history with them…”

[…]

Our community lost a number of distinguished community leaders in 2016. Folks such as T. Bryan McIntire, who passed away on Dec. 16 at age 86. McIntire served as the Carroll County state's attorney from 1962 to 1970.

Dave Schaeffer, 96, died on Dec. 20. After Schaeffer served in the Army during World War II, he started the Schaeffer Lumber Company in 1946 with his dad, and his brother.

“My Westminster High School class of 1971 classmates Bob Hyer and Doug Menchey died in 2016. Menchey worked for many folks in Carroll County with the Menchey Construction Company. Hyer was a 1975 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy…”

*****

Tuesday, June 02, 2015

Charles Kennedy, former UK Liberal Democrat leader dead at 55

Charles Kennedy, former UK Liberal Democrat leader dead at 55

June 2, 2015 Tuesday morning.

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Likeable and talented, former Liberal Democrat Party leader Charles Kennedy dead far too young at 55. Sad and great loss for UK.  http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2015/06/charles-kennedy-former-uk-liberal.html

He died suddenly and unexpectedly at his home in Fort William. He was the leader of the Liberal Democrat Party from 1999 to 2006

“Chat Show Charlie,” as he was known for his frequent popular appearances on talk shows; was an affable and friendly Member of Parliament for about 31 years. He was first elected at age 23 in 1983 as a member of what was known then as the Social Democrats. He lost his seat last month in the SNP landslide in the general elections.

Leaders from throughout the political spectrum in the UK have heaped praise and honors on the life an accomplishments of Mr. Kennedy.

The popular elected leader was well-known for his spirited and principled opposition to the war in Iraq in 2003.

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BBC: Former Liberal Democrat Party leader Charles Kennedy has died at his home in Fort William aged 55. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32970337

His family said they were devastated to lose a "fine man and loving father".

David Cameron said politics had lost a man of "immense ability", while Nick Clegg said his opposition to the Iraq war had been "enormously courageous".

Mr. Kennedy, who led his party from 1999 to 2006, lost his seat last month. No cause of death has been given but police said it was not suspicious. Read more from the BBC:

*****

Thursday, December 04, 2014

Obituary for the The Honorable Jerry Francis Barnes, 66 of Westminster

Obituary for Jerry Francis Barnes

The Honorable Jerry Francis Barnes, 66, of Hampstead, Maryland died Saturday, November 29, 2014 at Carroll Hospital Center.



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See also: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2014/11/we-mourn-passing-of-late-carroll-county.html

See also: We mourn the passing of the late Carroll County Md. State’s Attorney Jerry Barnes 

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2014/11/we-mourn-passing-of-late-carroll-county.html

Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry Barnes - Baltimore Sun:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/westminster/ph-ce-eagle-archives-1207-20141202-story.html

Born October 9, 1948, he was the son of the late Charles A. and Mary R. Byers Barnes. He was the devoted husband of Florence J. Barnes and loving step father of Jenna B. Wilmot and husband, Chris, of Cockeysville. He is also survived by his Aunt, Sandra Cook, cousins, Gregory Hutsell, Jeffrey Hutsell and Jennifer Freeman, all of Westminster.

Mr. Barnes graduated from Westminster High School in 1966, and after working a short period at Bendix Field Engineering, he was drafted into the US Army in 1968. In 1969, he qualified as a Green Beret, after which he served in Vietnam as a member of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). After receiving two Bronze Stars (one for “Heroism in Ground Combat”), the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), and being Honorably discharged in 1971, he attended and graduated from the University of Baltimore Law School.

He was thereafter a career prosecutor serving both with Frederick County State's Attorney's Office and Carroll County State's Attorney's Office. He was distinguished as Chief Narcotic's Prosecutor for Frederick County from 1991 through 1994. From 1995 until present, Mr. Barnes served as the elected State's Attorney for Carroll County, Maryland.

Since becoming a prosecutor in 1978, Mr. Barnes personally prosecuted thousands of criminal cases. He also oversaw a busy office comprised of 54 staff members - all responsible for successfully prosecuting criminal, juvenile and traffic cases in Carroll County's three courts. Mr. Barnes devoted his entire working career to helping his community.

Over the decades, he helped others both professionally and personally, many times when they did not even know it. Among some of his initiatives, he spearheaded and implemented the Heroin Action Coalition and established a position specifically designated to prosecute Domestic Violence cases.

Mr. Barnes was a specialist in drug enforcement serving as Chief Narcotics Prosecutor and actively prosecuting numerous drug distribution and other serious drug felony and misdemeanor charges. He attended and graduated from the Drug Enforcement Administration Agent's Course and the Maryland State Police Undercover Drug Course. He was sworn in as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland to prosecute drug cases.

Throughout his legal career, he received a multitude of awards for his hard work, leadership and dedication to the citizens of Carroll County and the State of Maryland. Highlights of the numerous awards and accolades he received include but are not limited to the following:

U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland, Certificate of Recognition- In recognition of “Exemplary Performance, Initiative and Commitment in Fostering and Preserving Public Safety Within the District of Maryland” (1999);
Named Chief Narcotics Prosecutor;
U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration Certificate of Appreciation, 1994;
Maryland Troopers Association Lodge #20 Endorsement;
Carroll County, Maryland Marine Cadet Corps Commander Award;
Maryland State Fire Marshall, Certificate of Appreciation for “Outstanding Leadership and Commitment to Protecting the Citizens of Carroll County”;
U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office, Certification of Recognition for the Reality Program;
Maryland State Police - Certificate of Appreciation;
Attorney General's Family Violence Council, Domestic Violence Unit, Certificate of Merit;
The Westminster Lions Club- Outstanding Leadership Award;
Carroll County Health Department Recognition Award;
Governor's Certificate of Merit- Crime Prevention;
United States' Senators Award of Excellence- Service to Seniors;
The United States Committee for Celebration of the United States Nations International Year of Older Persons;
Maryland House of Delegates, House Resolution Award- Cell Phones for Seniors;
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), for Outstanding Service;
US Attorney's Office, for Outstanding Service;
United Nations, for Outstanding Service (Senior “911” Cell Phones);
US Senate, for Outstanding Service (Drug Awareness Programs);
Governor's Office, for Outstanding Service (Victim Witness Services);
Maryland State Police, Superintendent's Recognition for Specific Prosecution’s/Efforts;
Maryland State Police, Superintendent's Recognition for Superior Drug Enforcement Accomplishments;
Victim/Witness Associations, for Superior Victim/Witness Efforts;
Frederick County Narcotics Task Force, for Superior Service in Drug Enforcement;
Maryland State Fire Marshal, for Superior Successful Arson Prosecutions;
Maryland State Trooper's Association, for Working on Cpl. Ted Wolf's Homicide Case;
Reality Program, for Maryland's Most Productive Reality Program; and
National History Honor Society (Phi Alpha Theta)

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 2-8 pm at Pritts Funeral Home and Chapel, 412 Washington Rd., Westminster.

A funeral service will be held on Friday at 1pm at St. John Catholic Church, 43 Monroe St., Westminster , with Chaplain Pat Geyer, officiating. Internment will be private.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to Misfits Animal Sanctuary, P.O. Box 75, Finksburg, MD 21048-0075.

Online condolences may be offered at www.prittsfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Jerry Francis Barnes please visit our Tribute Store. http://www.prittsfuneralhome.com/

Tuesday, December 02, 2014

Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry Barnes - Baltimore Sun

Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry Barnes - Baltimore Sun:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/westminster/ph-ce-eagle-archives-1207-20141202-story.html

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See also: We mourn the passing of the late Carroll County Md. State’s Attorney Jerry Barnes 

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2014/11/we-mourn-passing-of-late-carroll-county.html

Baltimore Sun: Honoring Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry Barnes' legacy of service to our community and and country. -- by Kevin E. Dayhoff

It was an eerie juxtaposition in Westminster on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Participants were making their final preparations for marching in the annual Westminster Christmas parade — "Miracle on Main Street."

But word spread quickly through the tight-knit community of law enforcement, public officials and old main-line Carroll County families that Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry Barnes had died.

See also:  State's attorney Jerry Barnes dead from apparent suicide Jacob deNobel, Times Staff Writer 
Later, as the parade began, Capt. Richard L. Hart Jr., of the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, released a statement: "at approximately 10:30 a.m., Carroll County Sheriff's Deputies responded to … a report of an attempted suicide.

Upon the Deputy's arrival, EMS personnel were providing aid to a male who was suffering from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The man was transported to the Carroll Hospital Center where he was pronounced dead."

 The man was identified as Jerry Francis Barnes, the Carroll County State's Attorney, a Vietnam veteran, "

'via Blog this'

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/westminster/ph-ce-eagle-archives-1207-20141202-story.html

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Sunday, November 30, 2014

We mourn the passing of the late Carroll County Md. State’s Attorney Jerry Barnes

We mourn the tragic loss of our good friend, Vietnam veteran, and life-long public servant, the late Carroll County State’s Attorney Jerry Barnes.

Word spread quickly early Saturday afternoon, November 29, 2014 through the tight-knit Carroll County community of law enforcement, public officials and old main-line Carroll County families that Mr. Barnes had passed away.


Late at night – Westminster, Md. - - Over the years I have written several stories about my friend Mr. Barnes. I had the chance to talk with him at length on November 2, 2007 for several articles I wrote for Veterans Day. It was one of the first occasions he and I took to talk about Vietnam in all these years.

Jerry Barnes served as a Sergeant in Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces from September 16, 1969 to September 16, 1970. In Vietnam, one of his assignments was working as a Special Forces advisor with twelve Montagnard fighters of the Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) at a radio relay site, in Kon Tum Province, on the Ho Chi Minh trail ‘near’ Laos.

Soon after arriving at Cam Ranh Bay in September 1969, he was assigned to the first of three “A-Camps” in Kon Tum Province which is located in the Central Tay Nguyen Highlands and is bordered on the north by Quang Nam; on the south by Gia Lai; on the east by Quang Ngai and on the west by Laos.  The “A-Camp” counterinsurgency concept is still being used to this day and was used extensively in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In Kon Tum province he served at A-241 Polei Kleng; A-244 Ben Het; A-245 Dak Seang – about 20 miles from the Laotian border as one of approximately 10 American “advisors” serving with several hundred Montagnard tribesmen in the “Civilian Irregular Defense Group” counterinsurgency program.  The Montagnards had aligned themselves with the South Vietnamese and the Americans to patrol the Ho Chi Minh trail.

In particular one of Barnes’ assignments was to work with twelve Montagnard fighters at a radio relay site. While serving with the 5th Special Forces Group a “typical” assignment was to go out on 8 to 10-day operations as (more often than not) the lone American with a contingent of South Vietnamese Special Forces counterparts – or Montagnards, to monitor and patrol the Ho Chi Minh trail.  “Our objective was to interdict and disrupt the supply activities of the trail.”

“It was while out on one of these patrols that Barnes’ heroic actions earned him the first of two Bronze Stars for valor,” according to a biographical sketch written a number of years ago by former Carroll County Maryland State Delegate and newspaper reporter Carmen Amedori.

Mr. Barnes explained that he was with 20 Montagnards 18 miles from the Laotian border “manning a radio relay station for a larger operation farther out when we were attacked as dusk by a (contingent) of the North Vietnamese regular Army.”  The ensuing firefight lasted throughout the night.  “We took some casualties and before it was all over, it took calling in an artillery attack, then Cobra helicopter gunships followed by suppression fire from C-130’s, known as “Puff the Magic Dragons,” and finally two fighter jets to save them.

Before returning home he was awarded a second Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge among a number of recognitions. 

Word spread quickly early Saturday afternoon, November 29, 2014 through the tight-knit Carroll County community of law enforcement, public officials and old main-line Carroll County families that Mr. Barnes had passed away.

Those of us who work with death notifications often never quite know what to say publicly… If I am on a fire, accident or crime scene, I often wait until the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshall or another law enforcement agency puts-out a statement so that I may have an idea to how to approach a death…

When a public official dies, those of us who serve as public information officers are equally careful as to what to say and when. In the case of Mr. Barnes, Captain Richard L. Hart Jr., Commander Investigative Services Division of the Carroll County Sheriff's Office released a statement at 5:03 p.m.:

“On November 29, 2014 at approximately 10:30am, Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a private residence in Westminster for a report of an attempted suicide. Upon the Deputy’s arrival, EMS personnel were providing aid to a male who was suffering from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The man was transported to the Carroll Hospital Center where he was pronounced dead.

“The man has been identified as Jerry Francis Barnes, who is the State’s Attorney for Carroll County.

“Mr. Barnes was a lifelong resident of Carroll County and has served as a criminal prosecutor for a total of 38 years, including the past 20 as Carroll County’s State’s Attorney.

“Mr. Barnes’ body has been transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation is continuing….” 

This comes a cold wake-up call to always remember the sacrifices made by our nation’s military, law enforcement and public officials to preserve the quality of life and freedoms we hold so dear.

Day after day, they take some brain away…. The demons never go away. They conveniently hide in the shadows of our everyday hectic lives. On Feb. 26, 1995, I wrote, in part…. [We] are a walking sandwich board testimony to our messy, imperfect lives as much as the amused passers-by. It’s what one does with their relationship with the absurdities of life that makes one unique... and one’s repository of discarded sandwich boards... are what counts. As Mr. Shakespeare once said: “Let the end try the man. Or as the Masai say, “Epwo m-baa poking in-gitin got,” - “Everything has an end." 

Our only defense is to put on the Whole Armor of God:

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— Ephesians 6: 10-18

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