Proving Ground Set For Armed Forces Day

Aberdeen Proving Ground is set to celebrate Armed Forces Day Wednesday with a breakfast for veterans and families, a remembrance ceremony and a concert.

Events will be held at the proving ground's recreation center. Capt. Maritzabel Mustafaa, commander of the proving ground's headquarters and headquarters company garrison, said in a release that officials wanted to present a joint salute to service members for this year's celebration.

“We want the event to include the participation of tenant units, installation agencies and services, and surrounding communities and schools to recognize the contributions and services of our armed forces and to highlight the capabilities and mission sets of Team APG through demonstrations and displays,” Mustafaa said.

The first event of the day will be a breakfast for veterans and surviving family members, to be held at the Main Post Chapel. The event will include readings from scripture, according to the release. For more information on the breakfast, residents are asked to call Annette Sanders at 420-278-2861, extension 7572.

At 10 a.m., opening ceremonies start at the APG North recreation center. Officials including APG Garrison Commander Col. Gregory McClinton, and guest speaker Maj. Gen. Lee Price from the Joint Program Executive Office-Chemical, Biological Defense will speak. The event will also feature songs by the Chapel Hill Music Sensations of Chapel Hill Elementary School in Baltimore County and a remembrance ceremony for prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action.

Exhibits will also be on display afterwards from APG divisions including the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center; Army Test and Evaluation Command; Chemical Materials Agency; Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Army Research Laboratory; and Research, Development and Engineering Command.

The Volunteers, a band of soldier-musicians, will perform at 11:45 a.m.

The Harford County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a military appreciation luncheon, including a salute to the proving ground's noncommisioned officer, soldier and military family of the year.

More information is available on the proving ground's website.