Rededication of Bladensburg Peace Cross To Be Held on Veterans Day

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan will lead the rededication for the newly restored Bladensburg Peace Cross on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. The governor will be joined by Peter Shapiro, chairman of the Prince George’s County Planning Board, as well as local elected leaders.

Historical Background. The Peace Cross, first dedicated on July 12, 1925 by the American Legion, honors 49 residents of Prince George’s County who lost their lives during World War I (1914-1918). In 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that the monument could remain on public land and does not violate the First Amendment’s establishment clause. At Governor Hogan’s direction, the State of Maryland filed an amicus brief in support of keeping the Peace Cross on public land.

Comprehensive Restoration. This ceremony follows a comprehensive restoration after the monument’s concrete structure and decorative facing materials began to degrade. Over the years, the 40-foot memorial has been struck by lightning, sustained damage from flooding from the nearby Anacostia River, and been hit by vehicle traffic. For the restoration, the M-NCPPC worked with Worcester Eisenbrandt, Inc. (WEI) of Baltimore, which also did work for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

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