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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I am a Gold Star Mother and mother of a United States Marine Corps Veteran. My sons raised their hands to defend our country at the USMC Recruiting Station in Columbia. They spent most of their adolescent lives in Howard County, and this monument honors their service and sacrifices.

My oldest son, Lance Corporal Eugene C. Mills, III, was called Gene by his family and Gino by most of his military friends. When the Twin Towers fell on September 11, 2001, he decided that he would join the military and its mission to defend our country against terrorism. At the age of 17, he went to boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, to become a United States Marine. After graduating bootcamp, he went to SOI and Security Forces training and ultimately was assigned to the1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

His first deployment was with Charlie Company in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. His second and final deployment was with 1/8, Bravo Company, where he became a squad leader. On June 22, 2012, during combat operations and with less than one month remaining of their deployment, 1/8 Bravo Company encountered enemy forces in Sangin Valley, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Mills was killed by enemy small fire. His final resting place is in Section 60 of the Arlington National Cemetary, Virginia.

Gene’s decorations include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Iraq/Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the National Defense Service Ribbon. A portion of I-95 is dedicated to him, and his recognition is on the highway near where he grew up between Routes 198 and 216 in Laurel.

My youngest son, Jacob, also served in the Marines. He spent four years at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and was on two deployments during his service. The service of both of my sons has taught me that we owe so much to our active-duty military and Veterans for our freedom. This monument will bring awareness to the community and honor those who made a commitment to protect the United States and the families who support those defenders.

–Theresa Karlson, Gold Star Mother

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The Howard County Veterans Foundation with the Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony Planning Committee named Tracy Adkins and Kelly Kesler grand marshals of the 2024 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 2024 theme “honoring our military families.”

Tracy Adkins has dedicated her life to supporting military families, including her own, consisting of her husband, retired Col. Win Adkins, and son, Mitchell Adkins, a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. She has navigated moves to the Indo-Pacific and European commands and her husband’s deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, South America and other locations.

Among her roles, Adkins served as the family readiness programs manager for a special mission unit and Fort Meade chapter director of Blue Star Families, which strengthens military families and communities, as well as a volunteer for the Special Operations Command Care Coalition, Armed Forces Foundation, American Red Cross and the United Service Organizations at Fort Meade and Fort Belvoir. She has been recognized with civilian medals and awards for her efforts.

Outside her service to military families, Adkins supervises active aging programs for Howard County Recreation and Parks.

Kelly Kesler has spent more than 10 years advocating for disabled veterans, including her husband who lives with medical needs following burn pit exposure. She navigated the Veterans Benefits Administration’s process to ensure her husband received full disability recognition and medical care, while raising children through school and extracurricular activities.

Kesler champions military families in Howard County. She served as the recording secretary for the Howard County Commission for Veterans and Military Families and as director of the Howard County Health Department’s Bureau of Population Growth and Local Health Improvement Coalition, where she brought in veterans to serve on the Behavioral Health Committee.

An advocate in Maryland schools, Kesler supports the state’s Purple Star School Program, which recognizes schools that support military-connected students and their families, and served on the Long Reach High School PTA, bringing the school’s band into the Veterans Day Parade. She also helped establish programs for veterans at the University of Maryland.

The Howard County Veterans Day Parade will take place Sunday, Nov. 10, at 9:30 a.m. in downtown Columbia. To learn more, visit HowardCountyVeterans.org/parade.

“The construction of the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument is not just a project but a symbol of our community’s support for those who have served our country. It honors the sacrifices of countless men and women and will be a visible reminder that freedom is not ‘free.’

“I am dedicating my support to my father, USMC Captain Haywood P. Gibbs, Sr., who served for 25 years. My story mirrors many others. While attending East Carolina University, I entered the Marine Corps Platoon leadership class, which prepared me to be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. My career took a detour after I suffered a broken neck in 1980. Upon recovering, I was offered an opportunity to work for my mentor, Ed Hamel.

“Today, many service members are struggling. It’s vital we acknowledge their sacrifices and provide them with something meaningful. This monument will be a special place for people to show their appreciation and support for our veterans and their families.”

Written by Philip W. Gibbs, Marine Corps Veteran and President of Hamel Builders

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