Our History

The Cecil County Commissioners initiated and funded the celebration as a means of honoring our veterans during the week of our nation’s most patriotic holiday, July 4th. The event and celebration was intended to move from town to town each year. The first year was held in North East, at the Town Park, and was so successful, that all future years stayed at the North East location.

County funding for the celebration was not approved in 1996 and the event was not held.

The Town of North East stepped up to provide the administrative support necessary to organize the event. Special programs were conducted to raise funds, and donations were solicited from area businesses, organizations and individuals. The Town of North East also provided some funding as well as town personnel to assist in the planning and running of the celebration. The program was back in gear.

The Salute to Cecil County Veterans committee strengthens and begins to be comprised of local county volunteers. The veterans’ organizations in Cecil County begin to provide generous financial support. Thousands of Cecil County residents and their families attend each year.

In May 2003 the committee incorporated and begins to function as a 501(c)(3) organization. The committee continues to work closely with the Town of North East. The veterans’ organizations in Cecil County continue to provide generous financial support. Thousands of Cecil County residents and their families attend each year.

Heavy rains cause the event to be cancelled.

The event continues and gets bigger and bigger. The veterans, community and businesses are firing on all cylinders and the event is a success.

Heavy rains the week before the event cause the North East Town Park to be basically under water, and the event is cancelled.

The event is a roaring success.

Funding weakens and the committee steers the grand finale’ to an electronic light show.

Funding strengthened, and the event moves back to a grand finale’ of pyrotechnic fireworks. Finding a barge to shoot fireworks from is becoming a large problem.

Funding continues to be strong, and the committee purchases their own barge to shoot fireworks from. This puts a major obstacle behind the likelihood of the event’s future. Unfortunately, an unexpected huge lightening storm strikes the event just eleven minutes before the planned kick off, and the event has to be cancelled.

The event was huge. We estimate 12,000 in attendance including the water-lined visitors. The veteran ceremony was the best ever, and there were lots of great community vendors, food vendors, displays and games. The fireworks started off perfectly, but unfortunately one of the fireworks company employees was injured partway through the show and the show was shortened. That person is mending well, and all still call this event a big success. Our volunteer count is now over 100 people and growing!

The event is canceled due to COVID-19 – – – Booooooo COVID-19, we will get you!!

The event was a smashing success!! Rain all afternoon held back our attendance, but the sun broke out and all went great. Funding was strong, energy was strong, fireworks were shot from our barge electronically for the first time. Ceremony at the pavilion was beautiful and honor of our veterans keeps getting stronger.

The event was amazing!! It was a bright and sunny day and folks came out en masse. Funding was strong, energy was strong, and fireworks were shot from our barge electronically. The ceremony at the pavilion was beautiful and honor of our veterans keeps getting better every year!