Chamber Update

By Linda Zahn

CEO, GSPCC

Here we are at the beginning of June and well on our way to the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce’s annual July 4th Parade. This year’s parade will step off promptly at 10:00am on Monday, July 4th from St. Martin’s In-The-Field Church on Benfield Road. The theme is “Salute To Patriots Of Liberty.”

We are especially proud to have four outstanding candidates to share the honor or being Grand Marshal. In keeping with our theme, these four local gentlemen are Veterans, and we announce them with great pride.

Mr. Charles Brown was inducted into the armed forces on February 27, 1943. He served in Europe. After basic training in the Chemical Warfare Service, 33rd Decontamination Company, he was shipped to southern England. He served at Utah Beach, and then went on to the Battle of the Bulge.

Mr. Marion Titus was a part of what was lauded as the most perfect airborne rescue of all time, 65 years ago. He was a young corporal in the 672nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion in WWII.  Titus was a part of the contingent that freed more than 2,000 civilians trapped in the Los Banos Civilian Internment Camp in the Philippines.

Mr. Jean Showe enlisted in the Navy in January 1938. He signed up for four years and was only 28 days from the conclusion of his tenure when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He was on the USS Raleigh the morning of the attack at Pearl Harbor. Following the attack, he met a Navy nurse, who became his future wife.

Mr. John Barnett was commissioned into the Army Air force as a 2nd Lieutenant after graduation from flight school in 1941. He flew B-17’s in a heavy bomber group, was shot down and he and members of his crew were taken to a German prisoner of war camp.  He remained a POW until April 1945 when he and 1,200 other American POWs were liberated by U.S. forces.

We encourage our businesses, communities, organizations, churches and schools to get involved in the July 4th Parade. It’s a privilege to celebrate the birthday of this great nation that we all call home! Please call the Chamber of Commerce at 410-647-3900 for a parade application, or visit our website at www.severnaparkchamber.com. You’ll find a parade application and the accompanying rules and guidelines.  Also, there is a July 4th festival application for not-for-profit organizations wishing to participate at the festival following the parade at Cypress Creek Park.

In addition to the upcoming parade, we’re also excited about the Local Author’s Book Signing event that the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce is holding in partnership with Severna Park Library. It will be held on June 4th from 10:00am until noon on the main floor at the library. Seven different local authors will be represented and a complete list of authors and books is on the Chamber’s website at www.severnaparkchamber.com. Each author will each have books for purchase and signing.

A business event coming up soon is our After-Hours Business Mixer at Gary’s Gardens on 951 Ritchie Highway in Severna Park on Wednesday, June 8 from 5:00-7:00pm. End the day with informal networking, great food, and drinks with friends and colleagues.  The fee for members is $10 with RSVP, $15 at the door and $20 for non-members. First time prospective members can call 410-647-3900 to request a Guest Pass.