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What the Monument Means to Me: Lisa B. Terry

“As the spouse of a Veteran and a daughter, daughter-in-law, niece and friend to many Veterans, I have seen firsthand the sacrifices our service members and families make. In my role as manager of the Howard County Office of Veterans and Military Families, I speak to Veterans and their family members regularly about their hardships. Sometimes I lend a listening ear to Veterans who are experiencing homelessness. Other times, I support Veteran caregivers who need help. Military family members will reach out in need of mental health services. During these conversations, I am always reminded that our military community experiences things most of us could not imagine.

Lisa's father, Maurice "Bo" Boucher, USAF, 1962-1970
Lisa's husband, Jack Terry, USAF, 1989-1996
Jack and Lisa B. Terry, Misawa AB, Japan

“Military culture is very unique. Individuals and families are often challenged with frequent moves, deployments, the emotional and physical wounds of war and employment struggles.

“This monument symbolizes a commitment to our Veterans, active duty and their families that Howard County ‘has their six,’ a military phrase meaning ‘we have your back!’ This beautiful sculpture on the Columbia Lakefront is the perfect place for peaceful reflection, inspiration, education, gratitude and honor. I am so proud of this community and our county’s leadership for supporting this initiative, and I am honored to serve on the board of the Howard County Veterans Foundation.”

-Lisa B. Terry, manager of the Howard County Office of Veterans and Military Families and Howard County Veterans Foundation Board Member

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What the Monument Means to Me: James Karantonis

James “Jim” Karantonis is a Veteran of the United States Army, having served from 1966 to 1969 as a medic and psych specialist. For him, the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument offers an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by the men and women who served our nation during war.

He sees the memorial as, “A location where young and old may learn about our nation’s difficult times, not the glamorized Hollywood version, but from Veterans’ own stories of their experiences.”

He explains how only a small percentage of Veterans saw actual combat, “But we were all affected: nurses, mechanics, cooks, secretaries, pilots bringing the wounded home, drivers, communication specialists and on and on — those stationed in Vietnam, Korea and Germany; those in hospitals at home and abroad. We were all affected, including our families — parents, wives, husbands and children — and yes, absolutely, those in combat.” Mr. Karantonis looks forward to the monument becoming a location where future generations walk by and are compelled to stop, learn, reflect and become part of our Veteran community.

Grand Marshal Named for 2025 Veterans Day Parade

The Howard County Veterans Foundation, with the Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony Planning Committee, named Elza Redman Jr. grand marshal of the 2025 Howard County Veterans Day Parade.

Organizers bestow the grand marshal title on individuals who represent the values and morals of the Howard County community of veterans and military families. This year’s grand marshal nominations followed the 2025 theme “Veterans forming future leaders,” honoring Veterans who show a passion for education, mentorship and coaching.

Elza K. Redman Jr. served in the U.S. Air Force from December 1957 to May 1962 and was discharged at the rank of airman first class. After completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, he attended the Airborne Navigation Equipment Repairman Technical School at Keesler Air Force Base before serving at critical installations across the U.S. and abroad.

“Elza Redman, my grandfather, is not only a decorated Veteran with a record of excellence in service to the nation, but also a tireless mentor who has dedicated decades to forming the next generation of leaders. His selection as grand marshal both honors his military accomplishments and highlights his profound and enduring impact on the youth and families of Howard County,” said Joni Nichols, Mr. Redman’s granddaughter who nominated him for grand marshal.

Throughout his service, Mr. Redman worked on some of the most advanced aircraft of the era, from the T-29 trainer to the pioneering F-105D, the first fighter with an integrated electronic system. He was part of initial ground testing crews for new technologies, repaired critical communications equipment and rewrote procedures and technical manuals to improve operational readiness. 

In recognition of his professionalism, ingenuity and dedication, Mr. Redman was awarded Air Force Airman of the Year in 1959, received the Air Force Good Conduct Medal and a unit citation while serving with the 59th Fighter Intercept Squadron at Goose Bay Air Base, Canada, and earned letters of commendation. 

“I’m patriotic. I’ve served in the military, not only as active duty but also as a civilian, for 65 years. That’s a long time. For me, it was a job that I was excited about. I loved every minute of it,” Mr. Redman said. 

Following his discharge, Mr. Redman continued in public service, contributing 60 years of support to the Department of Defense. In 1980, he rejoined the Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Auxiliary, Howard Composite Squadron, the same program where he began as a cadet before enlisting. For more than four decades, including 14 years as Howard Composite Squadron Commander, he guided over 1,500 cadets through programs emphasizing leadership, aerospace education, character and service. 

In addition to his military service, Mr. Redman served the Howard County community, including for 15 years as a volunteer child passenger seat technician with SafeKids Howard County. 

The Howard County Veterans Day Parade will take place Sunday, Nov. 9, at 9:30 a.m. in downtown Columbia. To learn more, visit HowardCountyVeterans.org/parade.

What the Monument Means to Me: Tim Ruland

Tim Ruland (right) is a Veteran of the United States Army, having served from 1973 to 1986. His father also served in the Army, from 1950 to 1952. Tim’s wife is a Veteran of the United States Navy. They met at Fort Meade and were married in 1984.

“We settled in Columbia in 1984 and have lived here ever since,” says Tim. “After I left the Army, I worked for the U.S. government for 30 years. Following her military service, my wife taught at Glenelg High School for 20 years.

“The monument symbolizes the remembrance of past, present and future Veterans, as well as their families, long after we are gone. None of the people I know who entered the military sought recognition. They joined voluntarily or were drafted, and they did not seek individual rewards or accolades.

“I am a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Vietnam Veterans of America. Each of these organizations is dedicated to supporting Veterans, their families and the community. The monument will significantly help current and future residents, as well as visitors, understand the substantial number of Veterans from Howard County who have served our country and continue to serve today. Additionally, the monument recognizes the families who have supported our Veterans and those who are currently serving.”

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What the Monument Means to Me: Robert Gillette

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Robert Gillette is a Veteran of the United States Navy and the president of the Howard County Veterans Foundation. He says, “Our vision for the monument is to create a place that is meaningful and relevant — a place that truly reflects and honors the service and sacrifice of our Veterans and military families.” He emphasizes that when a service member deploys, whether during wartime or peacetime, it is not just the sailor, soldier, airman or marine who serves; their families — mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives and children — also serve. “It is why we use the term, ‘military families.’”

“There is an old Navy tradition where sailors whose wives have given birth while they deployed are allowed to leave the ship first when it returns to port. I have powerful memories of witnessing that tender moment when my shipmates meet their newborn son or daughter for the first time. Seeing that reunion is something I will never forget. Many of us have seen videos of service members coming home and surprising their families.

“Those videos and images evoke different emotions for everyone. For Veterans like me, they bring back the same feelings I experienced when my ship returned from deployment, and I was reunited with my family. For others, such images inspire a sense of patriotism and pride in our military, along with profound gratitude for the freedoms we all enjoy. Yet for some, our Gold Star families, these images evoke a sense of loss and a deep longing for a reunion that will never take place.

“My hope is this monument will provide a space for everyone — regardless of whether they have a direct connection to a military family — to pause and reflect. I want everyone who visits the monument to honor the service and sacrifice of our military members and their families,” he states. “Our vision is to create an environment where everyone can take a moment to simply say, ‘Thank you for your service,’ and remember what it takes to protect and preserve the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.”

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What the Monument Means to Me: Al Bucci

Alfred (Al) Bucci is 102 years old, a decorated World War II Veteran and not slowing down anytime soon. He is an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7472 in Ellicott City and can be found participating with his local Veterans at events around the area.

“I recently walked into the Woodstock Inn with another Veteran who fought in Korea,” he says. “The people there saw my WWII hat and called out, ‘Thank you for your service.’ My reply was, “I appreciate that, thank you. But those who also need to be thanked are the parents, grandparents, families and many others who worked tirelessly to supply those in service with guns, ammunition, tanks, aircraft and especially badly needed ships after Pearl Harbor that made our U.S. Navy the strongest in the world. These folks also deserve thanks. We couldn’t have won without them.”

Mr. Bucci’s military service began when he enlisted in the army in 1942. He was assigned to the 99th Infantry Division Artillery and deployed to central Europe, where he served as a switchboard operator ensuring communications between front line artillery and division headquarters. Private First Class Bucci’s division played a key role during the Battle of the Bulge on December 16, 1944, and managed to hold back the German attack despite the significant losses sustained during battle.

On March 13, 1945, PFC Bucci was crossing the Rhine River during the Battle of Remagen when he was wounded and treated at a field hospital. Despite this setback, his career was not over. He rejoined his unit and continued to fight heroically in the Battle of Ruhr. He continued to serve through the end of the war on VE-Day. Over the course of WWII, his division freed three Prisoner of War camps and participated in the liberation of Nazi concentration camps, including Waldlager camp, a subcamp of Dachau. He returned home in October 1945.

Today, Mr. Bucci is proud of his service and grateful to those who continue to lend their support to the troops. Most recently, he joined us for the groundbreaking of the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument in Downtown Columbia, and it was an honor to celebrate this milestone with him.

“The Monument is a true tribute to Veterans of all wars and service and their families which supported them with sacrifice, prayers and pride, as well as those who worked to supply and maintain the military,” says Mr. Bucci. “It is to be a place of remembrance and reflection for Veterans, families and friends for generations to come.”

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What the Monument Means to Me: Philip Pinti

I’m a 42-year-old Marine Corps Veteran, Howard County resident, and father of three. 

I wasn’t expecting to go into the military. In 2001, I was attending West Chester University in Pennsylvania, and two weeks into the fall semester, September 11 happened. I was studying sports medicine to be an athletic trainer, but after the events of that horrific day, something inside me changed, my outlook on the world changed. It felt as though this occupation wasn’t selfless enough… in a sense, I’d be supporting these athletes in their respective sport endeavors; however, it suddenly felt very empty, like everything that I was learning about, studying for and experiencing just didn’t have much purpose. 

So, in me the switch was thrown, and I started talking to a United States Marine Corps. recruiter. I was in a reservist program for several years while I worked through college and my respective Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) training. My unit was activated just after my college graduation at the end of 2005. From March to October 2006, I served in the Fallujah area of Iraq. The biggest threat to my company was enemy ambushes from small arms fire and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Our company experienced some injuries, and our battalion endured some casualties from our foot and vehicle operations and patrols. I was honorably discharged in 2008, and to this day, I work alongside active duty military personnel.

Today, I’m a passionate runner, and I have run the Marine Corps Marathon every year since 2014. During the race, there is something called the “wear blue Mile” which is a moving tribute to fallen American military members. It’s located along Haines Point at mile 12 of the course and features “Faces of the Fallen” posters with photos and names of service members who died during their active duty service. Runners are encouraged to wear blue in honor of the fallen, and the mile is a poignant reminder of their sacrifice. The families of the people who’ve lost loved ones line the path and hold American flags, so we’re running underneath them. I always turn my music off at that point and fully immerse myself in the shared energy and atmosphere. You can hear the pitter-patter of people running and some people have the biggest smiles on their faces while others are visibly emotional, remembering their loved ones. It’s a truly awe-inspiring and moving experience.

The monuments in D.C. are similarly awe-inspiring. My family and I go to see them regularly, and they learn all about people who have come before them and done selfless and courageous acts while serving our country. The last time we went, we visited the Vietnam Memorial, and there was an older gentleman leaning up against it, overcome with emotion while paying tribute to his fallen comrades. 

In our community, that space to learn and reflect is something I believe we’re currently missing. I think it’s important to have something like the monument here in Howard County for Veterans, non-Veterans, and everyone within the community to remember the meaning of military service and reflect and pay tribute to those who have served and given their lives for us to live in such a wonderful and free community, county, state and country… God Bless America.

-Philip Pinti, Marine Corps Veteran

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Howard County Veterans Monument Breaks Ground

The Howard County Veterans Foundation will hold a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction of the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument. The groundbreaking will take place Thursday, June 12, at 11 a.m. at the Vivian C. “Millie” Bailey Park at the Columbia Lakefront. 

“After over 10 years of planning, designing and fundraising, we could not be more excited to begin building the monument,” said Robert Gillette, president of the Howard County Veterans Foundation. “When completed later this year, Howard County will have a place of reflection that honors the courage, service and sacrifice of the county’s military veterans and their families.” 

At the groundbreaking, the Howard County Veterans Foundation will present monument renderings, the construction timeline and remarks from community leaders, including Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. 

Howard County provided $1.5 million in funding toward the foundation’s total fundraising goal of $2.75 million to design, build and maintain the monument. In addition, the foundation received $1.5 million in Maryland grants as well as private donations, exceeding the project’s goal. 

The monument will feature a sculpture made of three symbolic stars in the Vivian C. “Millie” Bailey Park. The base star will represent the greater community that supports the military and their families when someone deploys. The blue star commemorates military service members and their families. A hollow gold star embedded in the blue star recognizes the hole left after the loss of service members who have died in the line of duty. 

A reflecting pond and bench will circle the sculpture and complete the monument, which will be engraved with words and quotes highlighting service, freedom and democracy. 

According to the Howard County Office of Veterans and Military Families, Howard County’s population includes more than 14,000 residents commuting to jobs at Fort George G. Meade and more than 1,000 students in the county’s public schools who have a parent on active duty. 

What the Monument Means to Me: Wanda Riddle

Our very own foundation Vice Chair Wanda Riddle was recently profiled by WMAR-2 News Baltimore! Learn more about her inspiring career as a woman in the Navy, her continued work with the Howard County Veterans Foundation and why the monument means so much to her.

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What the Monument Means to Me: Gerald Greenfield

Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Greenfield has lived an exemplary life. Now 104 years old, the U.S. Army Veteran served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. “I served for 30 years, one month and 17 days,” says Lt. Col. Greenfield. “I know my history.”

The country has changed a lot during Lt. Col. Greenfield’s lifetime. He was born in 1920 and grew up in the south during the Jim Crow era. His high school was segregated and under-resourced, but he rose above the challenges and went on to attend Tennessee State University to study history, social science and physical science. He graduated in 1941 and enlisted in the Army in 1943.

“I really didn’t volunteer, I was told to show up,” says Lt. Col. Greenfield. “But it was my duty to perform, and I did what I thought was part of my duty. I stayed on for two reasons. One, the lack of employment for Black people during that period, and two, to help support my family.”

Initially, he trained at Camp Pickett in Virginia and several other camps on the East Coast before his segregated unit shipped out to England amidst the Battle of the Bulge. During World War II, he served as a platoon sergeant with a supply company in Germany and ended his tour in Austria. He was discharged in 1945 and then called to serve in Korea in 1950. He remained in the Army for the next two decades.

Lt. Col. Greenfield rose through the ranks despite the barriers posed by systemic racism. According to the Baltimore Sun, “During that time in the military, Greenfield said Black college graduates faced additional discrimination from white higher-ups, who resented their education. Despite applying for Officer Candidate School numerous times starting in the 1940s, it wasn’t until he earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver in 1957 that supervisors felt he had enough expertise.” In 1963, he was finally promoted from master sergeant to captain, eventually achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was honorably discharged in 1973.

In 1963, while stationed at Fort Meade, Lt. Col. Greenfield and his family moved to Columbia. “It was a growing community, and lots of people were anxious to live there because of its diversity and the cost of a good home,” he said. “I’ve been here ever since. I like the community. I like the diversity. It was a very nice place to settle.”

Lt. Col. Greenfield looks forward to having the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument right in his community. “I have to go to Washington, D.C., to see service monuments now. When I do go, it brings back memories, and I feel honored that they are there,” he says. “We don’t get too much credit for our service, but I feel very proud of it. I gave all that I could, and I would do it again.”

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