Follow Governor O'Malley's Trip to Europe

Video: Governor O’Malley on sustainable development in Sweden

Governor O'Malley recorded a brief message Wednesday about an eco-friendly community in Hammarby Sjöstad, Sweden, and about the lessons of sustainability that should be adopted in the U.S.

Flickr photo sets from Sweden

We've uploaded images from Governor O'Malley's visit to Sweden on Wednesday as a new photoset on Flickr.

Meeting with the Swedish deputy prime minister

Governor O'Malley sent this blog update from Stockholm on Wednesday morning.

I met with the deputy prime minisiter of Sweden this morning to talk about our common interest in clean technologies. They have an interesting local waste-to-energy program that supplies heat and power on a municipal basis. Sweden poduces more than 40 percent of its power from renewable energy and 90 percent of its power from a combination of nuclear and hydro.

And below are three photos from Wednesday:

Above, meeting with the Swedish deputy prime minister.

Above, getting briefed at SwedenBio, the Swedesh life science organization.

Video: Governor O’Malley from NATO cybersecurity center in Estonia

Governor O'Malley recorded a brief message from the NATO Center for Excellence on Cyber Defense in Estonia on Tuesday.

State Partnership Program continues as Governor O’Malley travels to Estonia

Continuing on his European visit, Governor Martin O'Malley stopped in Estonia today.

He met with representatives of Estonia's Ministries of Economic Affairs and Defense and discussed a number of topics, including the global economy, energy, and emergency management--all of which are important to both Maryland and Estoina.

Governor O'Malley is visiting Estonia as a part of the State Partnership Program, which pairs U.S. states and territories--and their respective National Guard units--with new or emerging democracies, in discussions that strengthen international relationships and work to address some of the world's most challenging issues.

"It is extremely impressive for me to see just how mutually successful this program has been for both the State of Maryland and the Republic of Estonia," said Governor O'Malley.

Maryland and Estonia have partnered in this program since 1993. In the sixteen-year-long partnership, Maryland has played an integral role in fostering Estonia's democracy and strengthening its economy. To signify their long-lasting partnership, Gov. O'Malley and Mr. Nicolai Vojeikin, the Deputy Governor of the municipality of Harju County in Estonia, recently signed a memorandum of understanding that is designed to encourage social and cultural relationships between the two parties.

The Governor will end his five-day European trip tomorrow with a stop in Sweden.

Flickr photo sets from Estonia and Bosnia and Herzegovenia

We've uploaded high-quality images from Governor O'Malley's visits to Estonia on Tuesday and Bosnia and Herzegovenia on Monday as new photosets on Flickr.

Meeting with the Estonian Prime Minister and Defense League

Governor O'Malley sent this blog update from Estonia on Tuesday morning.

Maryland's relationship with Estonia goes back 15 years and is still going strong. I met with Andris Ansup, the Prime Minister of Estonia, who thanked us for the cooperation that Maryland provided helping enable them to integrate successfully in NATO. The program is very helpful for sharing military norms, but as importantly, about civil society and government. He said that their development of an army reserve is based on what they learned from the Maryland National Guard. In fact, the commander of the Estonian reserve has visited Maryland a number of times going back to 1994. The prime minister told me Estonia was the first country to suffer a major attack by foreign entities, and they've conducted online voting for four years now, so cyber security is a priority for them.

And below are two photos from Tuesday:

Governor O'Malley with Estonian Prime Minister Andris Ansup.

Video: Governor O’Malley reflects from “Dog Beach” in Normandy

Governor O'Malley recorded a quick message from "Dog Beach" in Normandy, France, on Friday.

Weekend recap: Governor O’Malley’s exchange in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Sunday, Governor O'Malley traveled to Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina for a one-day visit as a part of the State Partnership Program.  The program brings together U.S. states and territories and their respective National Guard units with new or emerging democracies throughout the world.

Governor O'Malley held discussions with military and civilian representatives of the government, business leaders representing the local chamber of commerce, and the U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The State of Maryland and the Balkan nation have enjoyed an official partnership since 2003 and unofficial exchanges date back to January 1996. Thirteen years ago, the Maryland Army National Guard's 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment was deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina immediately following the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords.  Five years later, Marylanders with the Maryland Army National Guard's 29th Infantry Division Light were deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the fall of 2001 as part of Stabilization Force (SFOR) 10.

Since their official pairing, Maryland has worked closely with Bosnia and Herzegovina to foster democracy, encourage a market-based economy and promoting regional cooperation and stability.

"The State of Maryland very much values its partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina and looks forward to continuing that partnership for years to come," said Governor O'Malley.  "Together, we have an opportunity to work collaboratively on issues of mutual interest, not just from a military perspective, but a business and economic perspective, particularly now as we manage through the effects of a challenging global economic environment."

The Governor also met with local business leaders for a luncheon hosted by the local chamber of commerce, where he discussed opportunities of mutual interest that may exist between the State of Maryland and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The Maryland National Guard holds approximately 20 partner events each year with Bosnia and Herzegovina. In July 2008 Maryland Air National Guard engineers were deployed to renovate a primary school in the town of Vlasenica and the Mount Igman War Memorial, which was dedicated to the three American diplomats and a French Soldier who lost their lives during the Bosnian War.

"Through this unique and innovative program, we are making a difference - not just for the short term, but long term future of Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, adjutant general of Maryland and Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs.

Later today, the Governor will be traveling to the Republic of Estonia, another partner country under the State Partnership Program. There, Governor O'Malley will meet with representatives of Estonia's ministries of Economic Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Defense.

Touring the emergency operations center

Governor O'Malley sent this blog update from Sarajevo on Monday. Photos from this visit will be uploaded soon.

The visit to see the emergency operations center -- modeled on the Maryland center -- was a great reminder that we have an amazing opportunity to share our strengths and experience. The emergency management team from Bosnia Herzegovenia visited their National Guard partners at Camp Frederick and were inspired to build their own facility. With aid from the United States, the center is nearly read to help the military to coordinate emergency response.

Flickr photoset from Saturday

We've uploaded more than 30 higher-quality images from Governor O'Malley's D-Day commemoration activities in Normandy on Saturday to a new photoset on Flickr.

This set includes images from ceremonies at the Coleville Cemetery and the 29th Division Monument.

President Obama’s moving remarks on the D-Day anniversary

Governor O'Malley appreciated President Obama's remarks and sent us a note asking us to share them with supporters here. Click to play the video or on the link below the video player to read them.

Click to read the President's remarks on WhiteHouse.gov.

UPDATE: Governor O'Malley just tweeted about President Obama's remarks:

President did us proud. Perfectly captured the emotion & importance of the sacrifice of our D-Day heroes. Video at http://martinomalley.com

Mr. Gray shares his D-Day story

Governor O'Malley sent this blog update from Normandy Saturday afternoon after the ceremony at Coleville Cemetery.

Before the ceremony at Coleville Cemetery (the U.S. cemetery here), I had the opportunity to walk through countless white crosses and Stars of David with Marion Gray of the 116th/29th division (whose daughter, he tells me, lives in Columbia). Mr. Gray's grandson and son-in-law accompanied him as well.

He talked about friends he knew whose bodies lay in the cemetery, talked about tributes over the years, strangers who had heard him tell his story and then sent him money to buy flowers to be placed on the graves of his many comrades. I sat down so he wouldn't have to strain his neck looking up from his wheelchair. A crowd soon gathered -- with him in his old uniform and me sitting on the grass, it must have looked like a spontaneous story-telling session was beginning. And so it was.

Very kind man, Mr. Gray. Patiently he sat among the white crosses signing autographs for all who asked. Telling his story as his family members did the same nearby. Three little boys from New York paid homage with their pads and pens extended. I thought about what this man and his friends had done for those little boys... and mine.

Governor O’Malley commemorates 65th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy

Saturday, Governor O’Malley joined President Obama in Normandy, France to commemorate the 65th anniversary of D-Day and in particular, Maryland’s historic role in the invasion. French President Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Brown also joined Gov. O’Malley at the event.

The Governor was a guest of the 29th Infantry Division Association, which represents veterans of the sole National Guard division to land in Normandy on D-Day.  The famed 29th Infantry Division was comprised of units representing Maryland, Virginia and the Washington, D.C.

Governor O’Malley said of the solemn anniversary:

“The historic landings here sixty-five years ago remind us that our freedom must be defended, and often comes with the ultimate sacrifice. The beaches of Normandy are hallowed ground.  The efforts of those selfless soldiers, many of whom never made it off this expansive beachhead, and in particular those Marylanders from the famed 29th Infantry Division, changed the course of history.  Those soldiers who served so bravely here represented the best that Maryland had to offer, and as our greatest generation, deserve our unwavering gratitude.”

Governor O’Malley attended ceremonies held along Omaha Beach including observances at the American cemetery at Coleville-sur-Mer.  The Governor also visited the National Guard and 29th Infantry Division Memorials located in Vierville-sur-Mer.  Later in the day, he observed a wreath-laying ceremony in the town of St. Laurent and attended a dinner held in honor of those 29th Infantry Division veterans who traveled to France for the 65th anniversary celebration.

Of the more than 288,000 Maryland men and women who served in World War II, nearly 6,500 never made it home.

"Governor O'Malley's trip to Normandy not only honors those Marylanders who participated in the D-Day landings," said Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, adjutant general of Maryland and secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, "but also those men and women who have served and continue to serve our state and our nation in times of peace and war."

Governor O'Malley also traveled to Bosnia and Herzegovina over the weekend and will meet with leaders in Estonia and Sweden before returning home this week.

The ceremony at Coleville Cemetery

Governor O'Malley sent this blog update from Normandy Saturday afternoon after the ceremony at Coleville Cemetery.

President Sarkozy delivered remarks that were very gracious toward President Obama.  He noted that the president's grandfather was a seargant in the U.S. Army during the war and showed his deep for the United States' monumental effort in saving France. He tied it to what we all need to do to honor those who died trying to liberate Europe, and cited the development of the European Union as a safegaurd against another war. We owe it to the young American GIs who died to end the last war.

Photos from Coleville Cemetery event with Presidents Obama and Sarkozy

Photos from the ceremony at Coleville Cemetery honoring the veterans of D-Day. Speakers included President Obama, President Sarkozy, Prime Minister Brown, and Prince Charles. 

Honoring those who liberated St. Laurent sur Mer

Governor O'Malley sent this blog update from Normandy Saturday morning.

This morning I sat with four Maryland veterans on Omaha Beach for a ceremony to honor those who liberated St. Laurent sur Mer.  The mayor and the locals seems so genuinely grateful for what those men were able to do to save them from the Nazis. At dinner last night, I sat with Steve Melikoff from Maryland. His recollection what happened 65 years ago is so vivid and clear.

And below are four photos from that event.

Flickr photo set from Friday

We've added two-dozen higher-quality photos from the Governor's first day in Normandy to his Flickr account. Click on the image below to view the set.

Governor O’Malley reflects on his first day in Normandy

Governor O'Malley sent this blog update from Normandy Friday evening.

The day was a remarkable journey through the eyes of those who served so bravely on Omaha Beach 65 years ago. Their stories are harrowing, moving, and yet -- typical of their generation -- totally self-effacing.

"Where did you come ashore here?" I asked each man. "Right over there," and they would point. Each remembering the scene of that day as if it had happened 65 days ago rather than 65 years ago.

Walking those sands and staring up at the steep hills that bristled that day with german machine gun nests and gun placements, one can't help but wonder at the quiet courage and fortitude of those 19 and 20-year-old Americans. The hell that rained down on that bloody beach. And the sacrifice of countless parents who would receive gold stars when God that day received their sons.

More photos from Friday in Normandy

Photos from Omaha Beach

From the National Guard Monument at Vierville sur Mer

Update from Gov. O’Malley on Omaha Beach

Governor O'Malley sent this blog update after the ceremony at the National Guard Monument in Vierville sur Mer, France - the location of Omaha Beach.

I am sitting with maryland veterans at an event to commemorate the veterans of the 29th division who fought right here 65 years ago. To be in sight of the beach with the men who fought here is a very humbling experience. The sight of the beach and the scale of the challange is awe inspiring. I can't imagine what these men felt to emerge from ships to scale these cliffs.

Governor O’Malley traveling to Europe for 65th Anniversary of D-Day

To celebrate the 65th Anniversary of D-Day, Governor O'Malley will join world leaders in France as a guest of the 29th Infantry Division Association, which is honoring Maryland's role in historic landings.

Gov. O'Malley will remain in Europe as part of the State Partnership Program. He will visit France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden and the Republic of Estonia.

The State Partnership Program brings together U.S. states, their respective National Guard units and emerging democracies throughout the world.

In Sweden, Governor O'Malley will focus on environmental issues by visiting bio and clean technology companies and touring an eco-friendly city.

Check the Martin O'Malley blog for updates throughout the trip.