One project that the Ladybirds have enjoyed doing for several years running has been traveling to Martinsburg to the Veterans Hospital, where they participate in a Valentine’s Day Celebration coupled with a Maryland Day celebration as well.

Happy Valentines from the Ladybirds

The chorus departed from Cumberland fairly early in the morning and had breakfast in Hancock, Maryland. Then they went on to Martinsburg where they sang in a program for the ambulatory patients and then toured the halls of the hospital; they stopped in non-ambulatory patients’ rooms and sang a special song for each patient they visited.

There were a number of dignitaries present for the event in the large dining hall where the program was held, and some of them spoke to the audience and honored various members of the military, both active and inactive.

A King and Queen were chosen from the the residents at the V.A. Hospital and they were honored with a crown to wear during the festivities. Pictures were taken by the media. A special cake was served to honor the King and Queen after a buffet luncheon provided by several auxiliary groups.

The Ladybirds had prepared lots of valentines to hand out to the patients at the hospital, and they were very appreciative of the attention they received and the music that was shared with them.

When they left the hospital, the Ladybirds ventured to the local Martinsburg Cracker Barrel Restaurant and had a meal before returning to Cumberland.