Annual Relay history presentation to benefit World War I Service Banner restoration

RELAY, Md. - March 28, 2015 - PRLog -- Ray Chism’s annual Relay and St. Denis history presentation has the goal of preserving history itself, in the form of a rare World War I service banner. The banner, representing the men who served, and three who died, in World War I is in desperate need of restoration as the country approached the centennial of the United States’ entrance into the First World War.

Chism is presenting Relay and St. Denis History on Saturday, April 11, at the Relay Town Hall, 1723 Arlington Avenue, Relay, MD 2122. Visitors are welcome to view Chism’s collection of Relay and St. Denis historical artifacts and documents in the town hall starting at noon until 5 p.m. Chism will present his popular history talk at 1 p.m. in the meeting room and auditorium on the second floor. Admission is $5 and goes towards the restoration of the service banner.

“Relay has two important things left from our heyday,” says Chism. “We have the town hall and we have the service banner. And what makes our service banner unique and valuable is we know who they are – we have a name for every star on the banner. There are other services banners across the country but people don’t know who their stars represent. We do.”

The Relay Town Hall, which began its service as an early fire station, was restored by the Relay Improvement Association about 20 years ago to serve as a community center and home to the association. Previously, it had been a public library, teen center and community theater. During restoration, the handsomely framed service banner was discovered, hidden in a storage area.

“This was quite a find,” says Chism, who credits town hall manager Richard Gloth with the discovery. “We can save it now because it was in the dark for so many years.”

Restoration is estimated to cost about $5,000 for the banner and another $9,000 for a special protective frame to preserve it for the next 100 years. Chism and the Service Banner Restoration Committee are using fundraisers, such as the annual history talk, and crowdfunding to meet the costs. Donations can be sent to Relay Improvement Association, Re: WWI Service Banner, P.O. Box 24046, Relay, MD 21227 or by visiting http://www.gofundme.com/relayservicebanner.

Chism’s history talks are very popular in Relay and the neighboring communities. His expert knowledge of the develop of Relay and St. Denis, their roles in the development of railroads in the United States and significance during the Civil War, along with his collection of artifacts, photos and documents makes him one of the leading community historians in Maryland. In addition to the annual talk at the town hall, he presents for audiences at local senior centers and libraries.