By NANCY WELCH
During their March 24 meeting, Laurel City Councilmembers and Mayor Keith Sydnor held an awards ceremony celebrating the city’s athletes who have won championships this year: Laurel High School’s (LHS) basketball team, a senior-year wrestler and a wrestling club for youth ages 6 through 14. The mayor also issued a proclamation recognizing National Vietnam War Veterans Day, an annual day of remembrance that takes place on March 29. The date marks the final withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Vietnam in 1973.
Celebrating athletes
After recognizing the LHS Spartans state championship win, Sydnor and the councilmembers awarded a certificate to LHS senior Alexandra Ford, state wrestling champion in the 140-Pound Division. Ford’s win in early March marked her second state championship in back-to-back competitions. The mayor also recognized Steve Overton, director and head coach of the Laurel Lions Wrestling Club. The club’s wrestlers took the Southern Maryland Junior Wrestling League Division A Championship on March 15, marking their first season with a big win.
Courtesy of Laurel Lions Wrestling Club
Honoring Vietnam veterans
After honoring Laurel’s champion athletes, Sydnor introduced Col. Yolanda Gore, a special guest at the awards ceremony, along with her husband. Gore has served in the U.S. Army for more than 22 years and was appointed 89th garrison commander of Fort Meade in August 2024. After noting that she is the first woman and first African American to hold the position, the mayor presented her with a proclamation marking the importance of National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
Gore accepted the proclamation on behalf of all Vietnam veterans — those who returned home and those who did not. She also noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the war, which started in 1955 and ended in 1975, two years after U.S. troops withdrew. The Vietnam War ranks as one of the longest in U.S. history, second only to the war in Afghanistan, which lasted six months longer.
Gore also took the opportunity to congratulate the basketball team, even as she claimed loyalty to the Bladensburg Mustangs.
“I couldn’t tell you how proud I am to see all you guys up here,” she said. “So, don’t let this be your stopping point — continue to excel. Be champs in everything you do, not just basketball. On and off the court, be great. … This is just the beginning of something great. So, don’t let it stop here, guys; let’s make it happen!”
