THIS HAPPENED FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN THE 2012 ELECTION

WASHINGTON (AP) — Making history, America’s blacks voted at higher rates than whites in 2012, lifting Democrat Barack Obama to victory amid voter apathy, particularly among young people, new census data show. Despite increasing population, the number of white voters declined for the first time since 1996.

Blacks were the only race or ethnic group to show an increase in voter turnout in November, most notably in the Midwest and Southeastern U.S., the Census Bureau said Wednesday. The analysis, based on a sample survey of voters last year, is viewed as the best source of government data on turnout by race and ethnicity.

The Associated Press reported last week that black voter turnout surpassed whites for the first time, based on an analysis by experts of earlier data.
More 

Its Going To Get Hot In Washington This Summer

It could be a hot, hot summer especially at the State Department. It is turning up the temperature in its offices this summer to save money. It will be a balmy 75 to 77 degrees. It's normally 72 degrees. Officials tell Gov Exec: the State Department typically pays 30 to 40 percent more for electricity in summer than in winter. The exact savings will depend on just how hot Washington gets. The department recently announced it would not furlough employees because of sequestration.

TEACHER WHO WAS SUSPENDED AFTER STOMPING ON AMERICAN FLAG GETS $85,000 TAXPAYER-FUNDED PAYOUT

In January, TheBlaze reported that a Chapin High School English teacher in Chapin, South Carolina, allegedly threw an American flag on the ground during class instruction and then stomped on it — an action that drew intense controversy.

Following the incident, Scott Compton was suspended from his job. Now, it’s being reported that $85,000 of taxpayer funds was paid out to the educator to avoid a legal challenge following his suspension.

But this isn’t the only sum of money that is being afforded to Compton following his controversial actions. Despite being out of the classroom since December, the teacher will continue receiving his salary through June 7, The State reports. Additionally, $31,500 in legal fees will come from taxpayer funds.
More 

Charles Ramsey Interview, Rescuer of Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight in Cleveland

Caption This Photo 5-8-13

Compromise Possible In Skate Park Controversy; Committee To Study Operations, Issue Recommendations

OCEAN CITY – After hearing from locals turning out against the planned reduction of hours at the Ocean Bowl Skate Park, the Mayor and City Council agreed to work toward a compromise.

During a budget wrap-up on April 19, the council voted to have the skate park operate Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend during its normal hours, which is open seven days a week during daylight. The changes proposed begin the Tuesday after Labor Day weekend when it would continue to be open on weekends, holidays and all Worcester County school days off only. The skate park will be shut down during the months of January and February completely under the current plan. The reduction in hours will save the town approximately $20,000.

During Monday evening’s Mayor and Council legislative session, lifelong downtown Ocean City resident Debi Thompson Cook said the skate park is a major part of her family, which is full of skateboarders who hold year-long skate passes.
More 

11 Reasons Why The Federal Reserve Should Be Abolished

If the American people truly understood how the Federal Reserve system works and what it has done to us, they would be screaming for it to be abolished immediately. It is a system that was designed by international bankers for the benefit of international bankers, and it is systematically impoverishing the American people.

The Federal Reserve system is the primary reason why our currency has declined in value by well over 95 percent and our national debt has gotten more than 5000 times larger over the past 100 years.

The Fed creates our "booms" and our "busts", and they have done an absolutely miserable job of managing our economy. But why do we need a bunch of unelected private bankers to manage our economy and print our money for us in the first place? Wouldn't our economy function much more efficiently if we allowed the free market to set interest rates?

And according to Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution [29], the U.S. Congress is the one that is supposed to have the authority to "coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures". So why is the Federal Reserve doing it? Sadly, this is the way it works all over the globe today. In fact, all 187 nations [30] that belong to the IMF have a central bank. But the truth is that there are much better alternatives. We just need to get people educated.

The following are 11 reasons why the Federal Reserve should be abolished...

More

Benghazi: New Evidence Emerges

The Administration announced after the Benghazi attack that a protest by Muslims had turned violent.

The Administration also stated that there was nothing which could have been done to save the people killed within the consulate.

But the number 2 American official in Libya – Deputy Chief of Mission in Libya Gregory Hicks, who became the Chief of Mission after Ambassador Christopher Stevens was killed – says everyone who worked at the Benghazi consulate thought it was a terrorist attack from the get-go:

GO HERE to read more and view videos.

HERE ARE THE TOP 5 ‘BEST’ & ‘WORST’ STATES FOR BUSINESS: GUESS WHICH ONES CEOS PREFER

It appears CEOs prefer doing business in states run by Republican governors, or so says Chief Executive magazine’s ninth annual “The Best and Worst States for Business” survey.

The survey asked 736 CEOs to grade states on a variety of “competitive metrics that CEOs themselves regard as critical,” including taxation and regulation, quality of workforce, and living environment.

“The tax and regulatory grade includes a measure of how CEOs grade a state’s attitude toward business, a key indicator,” the report write-up notes.
More 

Mother's Day Weekend Pancake Breakfast Benefit

Hosted by the Southern Delaware Kidney Walk 

$10.00 per person, all you can eat 

All proceeds benefit the National Kidney Foundation
*Every Mother who attends will be honored with a special gift*

When:
Saturday, May 11, 2013
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Where:Applebee's of Rehoboth
36501 Seaside Outlet Blvd
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
How: 
To reserve your spot today, please call 302-344-9674
or email LFoxwell@kidneymd.org

Walk-ins are welcome. A reservation is suggested but not required.

Judge Rules For Cheerleaders In Bible Banner Suit

HOUSTON (AP) - A judge ruled Wednesday that cheerleaders at a Southeast Texas high school can display banners emblazoned with Bible verses at football games.

State District Judge Steve Thomas determined the Kountze High School cheerleaders' banners are constitutionally permissible. In a copy of the ruling obtained by Beaumont station KFDM, Thomas determined that no law "prohibits cheerleaders from using religious-themed banners at school sporting events."

The ruling ends the case in Thomas' court, but it can be appealed by the school district.
More 

Breaking News Jodi Arias Verdict

Jodi Arias guilty of First Degree Murder of Ex-boyfriend.

Interesting How This Works

Hello, Our schnauzer "Cooper" decided to take advantage of the back gate being slightly open when he was let out to do his business...that was about 5:45 is when they noticed him gone. We spent up until dark looking for him...I have made flyers tonight and laminated them with the rain and all. We live on shad point rd right off of riverside dr...could you please help us find him? He is a loving dog! The bad thing is I put frontline on him the other day so he does not have a collar on...I have I closed a pic of him...he is my furry child and I want him back.

I  received the above message from a concerned pet owner early this morning. Just as I was preparing to publish it I received a message from a friend asking me if anyone had contacted me about a lost dog. When I asked what kind of dog I instantly knew the animal they had taken in was the lost dog I was about to Post. They told me it was the most loving dog. They don't have pets but they told me this dog was so well behaved they'd actually keep him/her if this wasn't the owner. I just received the following message...

Bad when you are sad to find the owner but they were nice and very very happy. Your site has become a god sent for all those dog lovers and dog losers Take stock in that. That service alone is worth SBY news.

Dog Found

I heard your blog had a high success rate of getting lost dogs back home, would please post this picture? I'm sure he has a family looking for him.

I found this cute dog on Old Ocean City and Main St. in Salisbury, he is at the Humane Society if his owners are looking for him.

CONGRESSMEN PROBE RELIGIOUS BIGOT'S INFLUENCE AT PENTAGON

Following Breitbart News’ reports on the Pentagon collaborating with anti-Christian extremist Mikey Weinstein, which may lead to courts-martial for Christian proselytizing, members of Congress are preparing a letter demanding answers from Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.

Reps. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) and Republican Study Committee Chairman Steve Scalise (R-LA) are circulating the letter among fellow congressmen. Lamborn discussed the letter and his concerns during an interview with Breitbart News this afternoon.

There is already a provision in federal law, Section 533 of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), that guarantees freedom of religious belief in the military. It does not explicitly reference service members verbally sharing their faith with each other, though such protection can fairly be inferred from the statute’s language.
More 

Westside Historical Society

First Lady’s Visit Creating Finals Week and Moving Day Headaches for Some U.Md. Students

Plans for the first lady to speak at a commencement ceremony for a Maryland university are causing some frustrations for students at another Maryland university.

Michelle Obama will speak at the graduation for Bowie State University May 17, prompting that ceremony to be held at the University of Maryland in College Park, where students are being asked to move out early to help make sure the Bowie State graduation goes off without a hitch and traffic is more manageable.

The request means University of Maryland students are dealing with the stress of final exams while at the same time preparing to move out of their dorm rooms. Some have to be out before they finish exams.
More 

THE FIREARMS STATISTICS THAT GUN CONTROL ADVOCATES DON’T WANT TO SEE

To accompany TheBlaze’s coverage of the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting in Houston, we figured it could be helpful to share some gun statistics pointed out to us by some of the NRA Convention attendees. Forget the talking points used by both sides in the gun control debate; we’re going to be talking about verified statistics.

Gun control advocates be advised, these are not the statistics you are looking for.

According to data from the FBI’s uniform crime reports, California had the highest number of gun murders in 2011 with 1,220 — which makes up 68 percent of all murders in the state that year and equates to 3.25 murders per 100,000 people.

The irony of such a grisly distinction is evident when you look at which state was named the state with the strongest gun control laws in 2011 by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. You guessed it — it was California.

“What is very unusual is that California also has a program by which we can remove guns, recover guns from people who have a gun and then subsequently become prohibited or dangerous,” Brady Campaign spokeswoman Amanda Wilcox said at the time.

More

MICHAEL MCCLYMONT SENTENCED TO 3 YEARS FOR CHILD ABUSE

On May 7, 2013, Michael McClymont, age 26, of Salisbury, Maryland tendered a guilty plea to Child Abuse in the Second Degree and was sentenced to seven years, all but three suspended.

The victim in this case, a minor child, sustained burns from a heated lighter that the Defendant placed on multiple areas of the child’s body. This crime occurred in November of 2012, in Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland.

SPD Press Release 5-8-13

Jeanne Cooper, Young and the Restless Icon, Dead at 84: 'She Was in Peace and Without Fear'

Daytime-TV grand dame Jeanne Cooper, who played The Young and the Restless‘ Katherine, passed away on Wednesday morning after being hospitalized, off and on since April, for an undisclosed illness.

Cooper’s elder son, actor Corbin Bernsen, shared the sad news on Twitter, saying, “She was in peace and without fear. You all have been incredible in your love. In her name, share it today with others.”
More 

Stop Granting Special Privileges To The Police

The horrific Boston bombings already have led to irrational calls for more security cameras and more police officers, with some Democrats absurdly using this tragedy as a reason to stop the slight sequester-mandated cuts in federal spending growth.

Never mind that police spending primarily is a local matter. The bigger questions that Americans have rarely asked, especially following the 9/11 attacks: Do we really want the government to hire new armies of police officers? Do we really want to pay the price for this?

Knowing my views on the growing public-pension crisis, most readers probably think the “price” I’m worried about the nation’s multi-trillion-dollar unfunded pension liabilities driven largely by the “3 percent at 50” pension deals that cost taxpayers millions of dollars for each “first responder” who retires at 50 after 30 years of service.

That’s a huge problem – the result in part of Americans’ irrational embrace of the “more police” logic after the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks. But that’s not the main source of my concern. My real concern involves our safety and civil liberties given that police officers, and other groups of public employees, have become a protected class that does not have to follow the same rules as the average citizen.

More

Ex-Firefighter & Activist Form First GOP Ticket For Governor

Brian Vaeth

While lots of people have talked about running for governor next year, so far only one candidate has filed with the State Board of Elections.

Brian Vaeth is a former Baltimore City Firefighter who now runs his own solar energy company.
The Perry Hall resident, who sought the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate last year, is the first candidate to file to run for governor.

Vaeth filed the paperwork with the Maryland State Board of Elections last week.

"There's an inability of our representatives to do the right thing," Vaeth told WBAL News.

"If there is a change that needs to be made legislatively, we'll do it."

Vaeth says he does not have a lot of money to run for governor, but he says he can promote his campaign through social media.

Duane "Shorty" Davis

His running mate is Duane "Shorty" Davis, who in 2011 was found not guilty of all charges after he placed an empty toilet with newspaper clippings in front of the old Baltimore County Courthouse.

More 

Honest Examination Of Race

One definition given for insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results; it might also be a definition of stupidity. Let's look at some cities where large percentages of black Americans live under poor conditions.

Experiencing a violent crime rate of 2,137 per 100,000 of the population, Detroit is the nation's most dangerous city. Rounding out Forbes magazine's 2012 list of the 10 most dangerous cities are St Louis; Oakland, Calif.; Memphis, Tenn.; Birmingham, Ala.; Atlanta; Baltimore; Stockton, Calif.; Cleveland; and Buffalo, N.Y. The most common characteristic of these predominantly black cities is that for decades, all of them have been run by Democratic and presumably liberal administrations. Some cities – such as Detroit, Buffalo, Newark, N.J., and Philadelphia – haven't elected a Republican mayor for more than a half-century. What's more is that in most of these cities, blacks have been mayors, chiefs of police, school superintendents and principals and have dominated city councils.

More

Obama's Graduation Speech: Reject Voices Warning Of "Tyranny"

Officials Say Kerry To Announce $100M In New Syria Humanitarian Aid

ROME — The Obama administration is providing $100 million in new Syria aid, U.S. officials said Wednesday, but the money is for humanitarian purposes only and not linked to any decision on arming Syrian rebels.

The announcement will be made by Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday in Rome, where his diplomacy includes a meeting with Jordan’s foreign minister, the officials said.

The new funds will help support 1.4 million Syrian refugees, including many in U.S. ally Jordan, and hundreds of thousands of other civilians still trapped by the violence inside Syria’s border. Total U.S. humanitarian assistance in the two-year war will climb to $510 million. 
More 

WCSO Press Release 5-8-13

• 5/7/2013 DUI - Shockley
• 5/7/2013 Warrant - Amos
• 5/7/2013 Burglary - Cooper
• 5/7/2013 Burglary - Lekites
• 5/7/2013 Burglary - Graham
• 5/7/2013 Robbery - Turner
• 5/7/2013 Fugitive - Arvey
• 5/7/2013 Assault - Davison
• 5/7/2013 Possession of Marijuana - Morales
• 5/6/2013 Trespassing - Resse, White, & Schnepel
• 5/6/2013 DUI - Watson
• 5/6/2013 Disorderly Conduct & Trespass - Badger
• 5/6/2013 Disorderly Conduct & Resisting Arrest - Ellis

Benghazi Whistle-Blowers Testify At House Hearing

Watch live coverage HERE

QUOTES OF THE DAY 5-8-13

“Democracy and liberty are not the same. Democracy is little more than mob rule, while liberty refers to the sovereignty of the individual.”
― Walter E. Williams
“How does something immoral, when done privately, become moral when it is done collectively? Furthermore, does legality establish morality? Slavery was legal; apartheid is legal; Stalinist, Nazi, and Maoist purges were legal. Clearly, the fact of legality does not justify these crimes. Legality, alone, cannot be the talisman of moral people.”
― Walter E. Williams, All It Takes is Guts: A Minority View
“The War between the States… produced the foundation for the kind of government we have today: consolidated and absolute, based on the unrestrained will of the majority, with force, threats, and intimidation being the order of the day. Today’s federal government is considerably at odds with that envisioned by the framers of the Constitution. … [The War] also laid to rest the great principle enunciated in the Declaration of Independence that ‘Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed’.”
― Walter E. Williams

“But let me offer you my definition of social justice: I keep what I earn and you keep what you earn. Do you disagree? Well then tell me how much of what I earn belongs to you – and why?”
― Walter E. Williams
“No matter how worthy the cause, it is robbery, theft, and injustice to confiscate the property of one person and give it to another to whom it does not belong”
― Walter E. Williams
“There are many farm handouts; but let’s call them what they really are: a form of legalized theft. Essentially, a congressman tells his farm constituency, “Vote for me. I’ll use my office to take another American’s money and give it to you.”
― Walter E. Williams

“Prior to capitalism, the way people amassed great wealth was by looting, plundering and enslaving their fellow man. Capitalism made it possible to become wealthy by serving your fellow man.”
― Walter E. Williams

I AM NOT A CROOK

Whistle-Blowers Testify About Benghazi Attack

Whistle-blowers testify before House committee investigating deadly attack on US Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. 
From Fox News

LAPD: 3 Parties to Split $1 Million Dorner Reward

The vast majority of the $1 million reward offered in the manhunt for rogue ex-cop Christopher Dorner will go to a couple whom he tied up in their Big Bear cabin, police said Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Police Department posted a document on its website in which a panel of three judges detailed the payouts for the much-sought reward.

They decided about $800,000 will go to James and Karen Reynolds. Daniel McGowan, who found Dorner's burning truck in the Big Bear area where he eventually was discovered, will get $150,000, and $50,000 will go to tow truck driver R.L. McDaniel, who reported spotting Dorner at a gas station earlier in the manhunt.
More 

GOVERNOR O'MALLEY APPOINTS MATTHEW J. POWER AS DIRECTOR OF STATESTAT

ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Martin O'Malley announced the appointment of Matt Power as Director of StateStat. StateStat is Governor O'Malley's performance-measurement and management tool to make state government more accountable and efficient. Mr. Power will oversee weekly meetings where agency heads meet with executive staff to report and answer questions on agency performance and priority initiatives. Data collected at these meetings with every agency is carefully analyzed, performance trends are closely monitored, and strategies to achieve improved performance are developed.

“In Maryland, we believe that the things that get measured are the things that get done,” said Governor O’Malley. “We are committed to an open and accountable State government that works for the people of our State. I am confident that Matt Power will continue to lead our efforts towards implementing effective strategies to reduce crime, restore the health of our Bay, create jobs, expand opportunity and improve the quality of life for all Marylanders.”

Today's Daily Special

Maryland Crab Cake Sandwich and fries OR a Caesar salad for only $9.99. If you haven't been to Roadie Joe's, today is a perfect day to enjoy lunch on their outdoor deck. 

Police Facing Questions In 3 Women's Ohio Rescue

One neighbor says a naked woman was seen crawling on her hands and knees in the backyard of the house a few years ago. Another heard pounding on the home's doors and noticed plastic bags over the windows.

Both times, police showed up but never went inside, neighbors say. Police also paid a visit to the house in 2004, but no one answered the door.

Now, after three women who vanished a decade ago were found captive Monday at the run-down house, Cleveland police are facing questions for the second time in four years about their handling of missing-person cases and are conducting an internal review to see if they overlooked anything.
More 

Bernanke's Neofeudal Rentier Economy

Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke is a Reverse Robin Hood, robbing from the lower 95% and giving to the financier class. The Real Reverse Robin Hood: Ben Bernanke and his Merry Band of Thieves (August 31, 2012).
It's worth understanding the mechanisms of this wealth transfer: in essence, the Fed extends low-cost credit (i.e. "free money") to the financier class which then uses this free money to buy rentier assets, that is, assets that generate economic rents for the owners, who add no value and create no wealth.

This is of course the neofeudal model: the financial aristocracy in the manor house own the rentier assets and the debt-serfs toil away to pay the rents and taxes. The financier class (i.e. those that benefit from the financialization of the economy) are as unproductive as feudal lords; they skim the profits generated by the debt-serfs while adding no productive value to the economy.

Financialization and Crony Capitalism Have Gutted the Middle Class (July 13, 2012)
The E.U., Neofeudalism and the Neocolonial-Financialization Model (May 24, 2012)
Why Krugman and the Keynesians Are Lackeys for the Neofeudal Debtocracy (April 24, 2013)

(I separate the bottom 95% from the top 4.5% and the .5% financier class for several reasons: 1) most of the stocks and bonds are owned by the top 5%; 2) the top 4.5% is shedding debt while the bottom 95% are adding debt; 3) the income of the top 4.5% is rising while household income of the bottom 95% is declining, and 4)the top 4.5% have access to lower-cost credit than the bottom 95%, but they do not have access to billions of dollars in nearly-free credit from the Fed or the shadow banking system like the financier class.)

More

Treat Your Mom To Something Special!

Reports Show Gun Homicides Down Since 1990s

Gun homicides have dropped steeply in the United States since their 1993 peak, a pair of reports released Tuesday showed, adding fuel to Congress' battle over whether to tighten restrictions on firearms.

A study released Tuesday by the government's Bureau of Justice Statistics found that gun-related homicides dropped from 18,253 in 1993 to 11,101 in 2011. That's a 39 percent reduction.

Another report by the private Pew Research Center found a similar decline by looking at the rate of gun homicides, which compares the number of killings to the size of the country's growing population. It found that the number of gun homicides per 100,000 people fell from 7 in 1993 to 3.6 in 2010, a drop of 49 percent.
More 

The Story Of Inequality In The US: Past, Present And Future

In this far-reaching documentary, we are first treated to a history lesson from the early 80s to the present day - a story of lust, debt, and largesse; from Reagan deficits to cell phones to day trading to real estate... and then 2008 is explained (as reality started to peek through). The clip projects the next few years - from failed bond auctions to QE9 and social unrest - "but it doesn't have to be this way," the narrator notes. Breaking Inequality is a documentary film about the corruption between Washington and Wall Street that has resulted in the largest inequality gap in the history of America.

It is a film that exposes the truth behind the single event that occurred back in the early 70's that set us off on this perilous journey that we are currently on. The inequality gap is presently the worst that it has ever been and there is no solution in place to repair this crippling problem.

No country in the history of the world has ever remained a super power without a middle class and the road we are currently traveling doesn't include this all-important segment of the population. The old saying "As goes the middle class... so goes the nation" holds true even more today than ever.

We live in a world where governments can create as much money as they want in order to fund all kinds of wasteful projects, wars, handouts, and banker bailouts. The current system by design has transferred the wealth from average everyday Americans to an elite few who care not about the majority.

More

Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Release 5-8-13

Artiss Clifron Gleason of Princess Anne, criminal summons served for perjury, illegal possession of a firearm, and false application during the purchase of a regulated firearm. Gleason was released upon signature pending court actions.

Benjamin Andrew Hall of Salisbury, arrested 5-2-13 on a body attachment. Hall was later released on personal recognizance.

Rodney Columbus Christopher of Westover, and Kendall Devon Perkins of Princess Anne, arrested 5-3-13 for possession of suspected crack cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Perkins was held on a $10,00 bond, Christopher was held on a $40,000 bond. The arrest was the result of a traffic stop conducted by deputies in the area of Beachwood Street, Princess Anne. A K-9 scan was conducted with a positive alert. Deputies later recovered a baggie of suspected crack cocaine from the vehicle.

James Edward Turner of Vienna Maryland, arrested 5-3-13 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Turner was later released to the Maryland State Police for additional warrants.

Jeffrey Scott of Salisbury, arrested 5-4-13 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Scott was held on a $500.00 bond.

Deandre Maurice Taylor of Princess Anne, arrested 5-6-13 for Circuit Court cds indictments and warrants for failing to appear in court, possession of suspected crack cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on a suspended driver’s license, driving on a revoked driver’s license, and driving without license. Taylor had been on the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office most wanted list. With the help from the Maryland State Police Apprehension Team, Taylor was taken into custody during a traffic stop. Taylor was later held on a $170,000 bond.

Juvenile arrested 5-6-13 for 2nd degree assault. Deputies were called to the area of Gordy Road, Westover for an assault among family members. Deputies later arrested the juvenile female for assault, and was later released to parents pending Juvenile Court actions.

Veterans, Students To Attend TAD Program Open House/Reception Showcasing Historical Documentaries on Wednesday, May 8

The students and teachers of the elementary Thinking and Doing (TAD) program will hold a special open house/reception from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 at North Salisbury Elementary to showcase their historical documentaries for the featured veterans, families and the community. TAD students in grades 3-5 in eleven Wicomico County schools have created historical documentaries that capture the experiences of local World War II veterans.
For more than four months, 127 students in grades 3-5 at eleven Wicomico County schools have been involved in creating historical documentaries as part of Wicomico County's TAD program. During this unit of study, students recognized the importance of historical documentaries as a way to archive our nation?s history and developed an appreciation of a World War II veteran's experiences. Students examined the elements and techniques of an effective documentary and conducted research using primary and secondary sources. 
Students first located members of the community who were willing to participate in the project, and developed specific questions for an in-depth interview of the veteran and his/her experiences. The TAD students, working in small groups, interviewed more than 34 veterans and submitted these interviews to the Veterans History Project in conjunction with the Library of Congress. The interviews were also submitted to Salisbury University's Nabb Center to preserve history. Students used an interview they had done with a veteran as the foundation for a multimedia documentary.
Veteran participants included:
- Mr. Charles Mowbray, whose inspirational story of not having received his well-deserved medals stirred students to contact U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski to implore help to correct this injustice. Sen. Mikulski's office has arranged for Mr. Mowbray to receive his medals at North Salisbury Elementary at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 15.
- Mr. Frank Havens (four-time Olympian), who was a waist gunner on a B-24
- Mr. Frank Baker, who survived the first wave of Iwo Jima in the 4th Division and gave a first-hand account of the flag raising on Mt. Suribachi
- Mr. William Wainwright, involved in the little known conflict of Burma Road; he fought alongside Ghurka soldiers
- Mr. Austin Cox, who took part in the invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge
- Mr. Charles Silvia, Sr., who was a veteran of World War II and Korea gave insight to the present day conflict
This project was partially funded by a grant from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore and the Mary Gay Calcott Award for Excellence in Education from the Community Foundation.