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Community Corner

Did You Know?

Little known facts, past or present, about where we live and the people who live here.

(This week's Did You Know takes us to Darnestown Park where the children's recreation area is dedicated to the memory of a local Air Force pilot. We relied on historical data from Arlington National Cemetery website and Militarytimes.com)

Did you know that Darnestown Park’s recreation area is dedicated to the memory of a fallen local hero?

“There are many things to be done in this world and we all need someone to share them with.”

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These are the words of USAF Capt.Thomas Clifford Bland, Jr. whose memory and military service are honored at Darnestown Park.

The Cliff Bland Recreation Area in Darnestown Park was dedicated on May 19, 1991- a small monument placed among some pine trees and foliage adjoining the path that winds its way to the children’s recreational playground.  

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This modest stone marker offset in the trees could go unobserved by the casual passerby.

On Jan. 31, 1991, Capt. Bland was the co-pilot of an AC-130H gunship flying an armed reconnaissance mission over Kuwait in Operation Desert Storm when his aircraft was besieged by heavy fire from anti-aircraft artillery and was shot down.

His actions, and those of the crew, prevented a missile attack on coalition forces and helped turn back an Iraqi Army incursion into Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his valor. 

A resident of Gaithersburg, Thomas C. Bland, Jr. was 26 years old and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

This memorial in Darnestown Park would surely please Cliff Bland that children come to share good times with each other on the playground that honors his memory.

On this quiet summer’s day, with no children in sight and only the breeze making its way through the trees around the monument, it is nice to reflect on all the things that need to be done in this world and those who are not afraid to go out and do them.

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