John W. Armiger (1916 – 1985)John Armiger, an attorney specializing in zoning cases, founded Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens in 1958 in Timonium, Maryland. From the beginning, Mr. Armiger was determined to position the cemetery as a vehicle to honor, and focus attention on, the sacrifices made by Maryland’s Public Safety Personnel as well as to recognize Marylanders killed in action while serving in our nation’s armed forces.
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played many of the stadia around the nation designed to educate and to sell war bonds.
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In 1976 Mr. Armiger was the first to create a significant memorial to Maryland’s first responders killed in-the-line-of-duty. A portion of the cemetery was set aside providing burial lots for each Fallen Hero and their spouse free of charge. The Fallen Heroes Memorial provides a lasting tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice serving the citizens of Maryland. Former Baltimore County Police Chief Neil Behan described the Fallen Heroes Memorial as “our Arlington.”
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John W. Armiger, Jr. (1944 – 2015)John W. Armiger, Jr. grew up in the Rodgers Forge and Ruxton areas of Baltimore County, Maryland. Having graduated from the Gilman School in Baltimore, he went on to attend Yale University completing a degree program in American Studies. He subsequently joined the faculty at Gilman teaching history and political science. His affinity for American history is evident from his extensive collection of 18th and 19th century American memorabilia.
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After burying three Baltimore County firefighters at the Fallen Heroes Memorial in 1984, John felt compelled by the emotional impact to attempt, on a regular basis, to honor the members of Maryland’s public safety community in a service similar to Memorial Day.
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and honors all Fallen Heroes, with special attention given to those who died in the twelve months since the previous Fallen Heroes Day.
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