A USMMA KP Alumni "TELL AMERICA" Program Event, honoring all Veterans.

Colors Honors provided by the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Color Guard, the Navy League Cadets, the Harford County Young Marines, and others.
Taps presented by the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Band Trumpeter Midshipman 4/C Adam Woods.

The Wreaths Across America Program & Special Wreath Laying Ceremony in the Port of Baltimore, is provided by the KP Chesapeake Chapter and the supportive Chapters of the KP Alumni - Chapter Presidents Alliance.

This event is a wonderful opportunity to show our respect and appreciation that we have for all of our Veterans.

This WAA Ceremony will include a special USMC Wreath Laying for 1st LT Will Donnelly (KP '08), USMC, who was killed in action in Afghanistan November 25, 2010. The honors will be provided by an active duty USMC Honor Guard from the Marine detachment - Ordinance School, at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland. Sharing this Wreath Laying Honor will be USMMA First Class Midshipmen who have chosen to accept a commission in the USMC in June 2011.

1st Lt. William J. Donnelly, IV, USMC, Kings Point Class of 2008, died Nov. 25 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

A native of Picayune, Miss., 1st Lt. Donnelly served as Regimental Commander and Regimental Adjutant, and had been a member of the rowing and offshore sailing teams. 1st Lt. Donnelly is survived by his wife, Linsey Becker Donnelly (Class of 2008), his parents, Vicki Ann and William Donnelly, and his sister, Melissa Donnelly Weed (Class of 2007). I spoke with Will's mother over the weekend, to extend the sympathies of the entire Academy family.

The USMMA Regimental Color Guard, Honor Guard, Band Trumpeter and vocalist will participate. Father Ron Moses Camarda (KP '81), CHC, LCDR USNR (Ret.) will provide our Invocation and Benediction. Father Camarda served on active duty as Chaplain to our Marine Corps and Navy for 7 months of active duty supporting Iraqi Freedom. Chaplain Camarda is the author of "Tear In The Dessert", which provides a detailed account of his spiritual mission to our fighting men and women serving in the Battle For Fallujah.

The Donnelly family will be attending this ceremony, and our luncheon.

All are welcome to join the KP Chesapeake Chapter and guests for a complete entrée luncheon provided by Buontempo Brothers, Bel Air, immediately following the Veterans Wreath Laying Ceremony. Guests hosted by the TE Subcom (formerly Tyco Telecom - Cable Ship Company), 1001 E McComas St, Baltimore, MD 21230. Ship tours for our guests will be conducted aboard the Cable laying Ship M/V Dependable, subject to vessel availability.

This luncheon is being hosted by the KP Chesapeake Chapter and provided by the supportive KPA-CPA Chapters, which currently include: KP Chesapeake Chapter, U.A.E. (Abu Dhabi) Chapter - President Wayne Britz '66 and Washington / Puget Sound Chapter - President Connie Buhl '81. We are grateful to Marinette Marine Corporation, Fincantieri Marine Group, LLC., with special thanks to John Hotaling (KP '68), representing Marinette Marine, for funding Father Camarda's travel & participation in this Veteran Honors occasion.