Huge crowd gathers, Marines send support as O.C.’s Doris ‘Doie’ Barnes celebrates 100
By ELIZABETH LITTLE/Sentinel staff
OCEAN CITY — Doris “Doie” Barnes, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, turned 100 years old Friday, July 30, and was honored at the Ocean City Music Pier for her dedication and service to the nation.
The ceremony began with a flag-raising courtesy of the Ocean City Beach Patrol and the city fire and police departments as the “Star Spangled Banner” played.
Clad in her red, white and blue and a Marine Corps “woman veteran” hat, Barnes sat in her personalized scooter as her friends and family shared stories about her with the larger crowd.
Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian began by welcoming everyone to the flag raising ceremony
“I’m honored by your sacrifice and what you’ve done for our country. We forget too much. We’re so busy and so instantly gratified, we want things so quick, and for 100 years for someone like you has given so much,” Gillian said.
He presented Barnes with a “piece of the boardwalk,” an honorary plaque from the people of Ocean City to commemorate her “service during World War II, in the American Legion and the entire Ocean City community.”
Fellow Marine and longtime friend Meade Rudasill shared stories about Barnes before presenting proclamations from the U.S. Marine Corps.
“I thought about one of the truths about all servicemen; an army travels on its belly. You feed ’em, they fight. And I thought, you know, with all this eating time I’ve spent with Doie, what I learned is there are three major food groups: cheese mozzarella sticks, chocolate and … white zinfandel. And so, what I’ve learned is to live to 100, you can eat anything you damn well please when you get off active duty.”
Rudasill then read excerpts from proclamations from Troy Black, sergeant major of the Marine Corps, and Roberta Shay, Marine commander general. David Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps, also sent Barnes a plaque.
“I’m personally very impressed by your continued participation in the American Legion, and especially by your commitment to attending the daily flag-raising ceremonies on the boardwalk during the summer months. You truly live out our axiom: Once a Marine, always a Marine. Happy Birthday, best wishes,” Berger wrote.
“Semper Fi! Oorah!” Barnes responded.
Barnes also received two service pins from the Marine Corps, one being the honorable discharge pin and the second being the all services honorable service pin, meant to be worn on her “civilian clothes.”
Cape May County Commissioner E. Marie Hayes then delivered a speech about women in service.
“It’s not easy when a woman decides to go into what basically is the majority a man’s world. But what happens is, that woman blazes a path for the women behind her. Lemme tell ya’ something — you are one tough cookie.”
“That’s right,” Barnes said.
Hayes then issued a citation from the Cape May County Board of Commissioners and thanked Barnes and the essential workers of Ocean City for “keeping us safe.”
Christopher Chan of U.S. Rep Jeff Van Drew’s office issued a citation on behalf of the House of Representatives.
“I am a former Marine, and you are my sister,” Chan said. “The first thing is a congressional proclamation, this is issued by the House of Representatives. It represents the 330 million residents that we have in this great country of ours. The second thing I have, special to the congressman, is a personal challenge coin. I’m sure you know the history of the challenge coin and what this means; this means that you’re family with the congressman as well.”
Barnes’ son-in-law Doc Anderson said a few words and thanked everyone for attending.
“Oorah!” Anderson said.
“Oorah!!!” boomed the crowd, which was filled with Marines.
According to Barnes’ daughter Susan Anderson, Barnes served at Cherry Point in North Carolina while on active duty.
“The best part of the story is, if you ask her what she did, she actually rode a scooter every day from her barracks to a vault. She was in a vault in security. If you ask her right now, ‘what did you do?’ She would say ‘I’m sorry, I can’t tell you, that’s classified.’ I said to her a bit ago, ‘Ma, how about now?’ She goes, ‘I’m sorry, that’s classified.’ She is a woman of her word.”
Doc Anderson then led everyone in singing happy birthday to Barnes before guiding her to cut the first slice of her 100th birthday cake.
