A Place Of Honor
Wilson Wiley and his daughter, Tammie Wiley-Jones. PHOTO RAOUL DENNIS // Prince George’s Suite magazine and media
Veterans Park Dedication in District Heights Recognizes Local Heroes
By Raoul Dennis
“I never thought this day would come,” said retired United States Army Veteran Wilson Wiley, May 31. “I never thought something like this would happen to me.”
“When the younger people come by and see this name they will say ‘he did something.’ And that means a lot to me.”
Wiley was surrounded by members of his family and nearly 150 county and state leaders, police and military personnel, and other veterans from all branches of military service at what is now Veterans Park in District Heights for the dedication of the venue.
Over 70 years ago, Wiley sought to take advantage of an opportunity to choose which branch of the service he would join. “At that time we were all told that if you volunteered, you could choose which branch you wanted. I wanted to be a Marine. I liked the uniform. But when the time came, I was selected ‘hold for US Army,’ and that was it. But I came to like it. I like to think that some of the work that we did helped.”
It was that same kind of humble nature buttressed by pride that many others had as they participated in the unveiling of each of the four service branch pillars. It was pride that could be heard in the voiced battle cries of onlookers as each branch of service was called and the blue drape was pulled away: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Less than 10 feet away were the honored names of District Heights residents who served in the armed forces forever enshrined on the bricked entrance to the park.
The concept for Veterans Park was originally proposed by then-Mayor Jack C. Simms in 2016. Later, it was delegate Angela Angel who unsuccessfully presented the bond bill request for the project in the Maryland House of Delegates. The late Sen. Ulysses Currie championed the effort in the Maryland Senate. The successful move led to a 2017 state bond bill in the amount of $170,000.
Keynote speaker Rev. Shirley A. Gravely-Currie PHOTO: RAOUL DENNIS // PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA
Rev. Shirley A. Gravely-Currie, the widow of former Maryland Sen. Ulysses Currie, was the keynote speaker at the dedication.
“Please know that I am honored and privileged to publicly stand in the gap on behalf of my beloved late husband,” she said. “I was so excited to learn that it was because of Sen. Curry’s support and efforts that District Heights was able to obtain the funding for this awesome project. I am confident that he is looking down upon us right now and cheering us on.”
Maryland Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert L. Finn presented a citation to the City of District Heights on behalf of the state of Maryland.
Delegate Dereck E. Davis (D-District 25) reminded listeners that Memorial Day is not a day of celebration but of remembrance and reflection. He called upon the nation to do more than talk about honoring veterans and to take more action for their care.
“We say that we support our troops but what does that really mean?” Davis questioned. “When you think of the health challenges and mental challenges that many of our veterans have endured-- have we really stepped up and done all that we can do to really show our thanks and give them our support? There is so much more that we need to do for our military personnel. We should not hear stories about homelessness and hunger and the mental toll that serving in combat sometimes causes [with regard to our veterans] without response.”
Prince George’s County Council members were in attendance and paid respect to the solemn nature of the moment.
“This is a true testament to what teamwork can create for those who have given so much to us,” said Derrick Leon Davis (D-District 6). “[We recognize] all of the work that went into making this day possible. Something like this does not come together overnight.”
Prince George’s County Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins II called for Junior Trooper Bryan Charles Pitt I to join him at the podium. Pitt, a youngster dressed in black whose black hat seemed almost bigger than he was, made his way to the stage area as quickly as his legs could carry him. As guests turned left and right to get a glimpse of the young man, they could scarcely see much more than the top of his hat bopping along until he reached the front of the podium.
Although he wasn’t more than nine years old, young Pitt had the eyes and demeanor of someone who may have been here before.
“There is a veteran here who said to me ‘My colleagues and I and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, went into harm’s way so that young boys and girls like Junior Trooper Bryan Charles Pitt I can live in this land of the free and home of the brave and be all that [they] can be,’” said Hawkins.
At-Large County Councilmember Mel Franklin recalled the commitment those in uniform have made throughout history and to the present day, as he mentioned the work of service members during the COVID-19 public health crisis.
He also acknowledged the painful memories veterans may still endure years after leaving the battlefield.
“Let’s remember on this day that you are still dealing with that pain and are still dealing with the loss of your brothers and sisters on the battlefield,” Franklin said. “And the families of those who have fallen, who have lost loved ones in our nation’s wars: that pain never really goes away. The memory of those loved ones lives on through you.”
Although District Heights veterans’ names are honored at the park, it is being recognized as a place where all Prince Georgians and guests can visit, reflect and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation.
“Emily Perez was from right here in Prince George’s County,” said Dr. James Dula, the director of the Prince George’s County Commission for Veterans Affairs of the West Point graduate. “She led her troops in battle because she understood and believed in leading from the front. She lost her life when a bomb exploded under her vehicle. It all reminds us that freedom isn’t free.”
The Wiley family (left to right): Michele Cuffee-Brown (daughter), Dominique Le Maitre (granddaughter), Wilson Wiley (WW2 veteran), Terri Washington (daughter), Tammie Wiley-Jones (daughter).
The roll call of names of District Heights veterans seemed somewhat like the announcement of names of graduating high school seniors. But this was not a time for valedictorians or sneakers and shorts underneath cap and gown. It was a very different kind of “senior moment”--- one that had been earned in sacrifice but joyful nonetheless. As each name was called, the veteran and his or her family shouted out in one way or another “present, here and accounted for.” Wilson Wiley, now approaching 100, had lived long enough to hear his name and to stand with his family at the brick cemented in Veterans Park with his name on it.
When asked what he might say on behalf of those he knew were unable to speak for themselves on this day, Wiley could no longer hold back the tears as the memories of those he lost came flooding to the front of his thoughts.
“I would tell them that this is one of the best days of our lives. All the things that you did and went through means something,” he said. “That shows that you’ll never be forgotten…”
He stopped for a moment to gather himself.
“It hurts. It hurts,” he said. “It’s tough to be 19 and now almost 100 and still able to talk about it.”
