Our Community Salutes

Our Community Salutes (OCS) of Baltimore hosted its annual High School Enlistee Recognition Ceremony to honor the Class of 2024 high school seniors and their families on May 6, 2024. Since 2009, OCS enlistee recognition ceremonies have been held by local communities in banquet halls, auditoriums, and sports arenas from New York to California, with tens of thousands of people attending, a testimony to the appreciation of the young men and women of OCS entering military service.

OCS ceremonies are events organized by parents, educators, business and community leaders, and veterans to provide community support for students, parents, and families as their family member transitions into military service and joins the 1% of Americans who serve in uniform.

Each OCS student-enlistee receives a Certificate of Recognition from Our Community Salutes, a pocket guide of the U.S. Constitution, gifts by supportive sponsors, and the recognition that their community of veterans, parents, and community leaders supports their decision to serve.

Our Community Salutes (OCS) of Baltimore select guest speakers who honor the sacrifices members of the military and their families make when they raise their right hands. This year's featured speakers were:

• Major General Larry R. Broadwell, Deputy Director for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Operations on the Joint Staff
• Major General Janeen L. Birckhead, the 31st Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard
• Command Sergeant Major Michele Jones (USA, Ret.), 9th Command Sergeant of the U.S. Army Reserve
• Abby Spencer Moffatt, Chief Executive Officer, Diana Davis Spencer Foundation
• Master of Ceremonies: Mary Bubala, Emmy Award-winning evening co-anchor for Baltimore's FOX 45

Maryland MOAA members Rita Kurek, Col USAF GUARD Retired, Star Spangled Banner Chapter, Cathy Hampton, MAJ USA Ret, Maryland MOAA Council of Chapters and Susquehanna Chapter, and Jim Shiffrin, Maj, USAF Ret, Maryland MOAA Council of Chapters and Fort Meade Chapter attended the event. Kenneth Hartman, OCS Founder & President and Army veteran, thanked then for attending and asked that MOAA continue to support and be involved in the annual event.

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