ELLICOTT CITY, Md. — Monday marks one year after the most recent devastating flood in Ellicott City that claimed the life of a national guardsman.
"We know that tomorrow is going to be a difficult day for a lot of people, and we wanted to have something positive come from it," said Julia Sanger, co-owner of Park Ridge Trading Co.
This Memorial Day weekend, business owners are honoring and remembering Staff Sgt. Eddie Hermond, who was killed trying to rescue a business owner during the flood.
"What he did was so heroic," said Jacqueline Knowles, owner of Ay'vion's. "For someone to actually care enough to try and help another person, that's just an extraordinary feat because so many people today don't care."
Sunday, lots of Ellicott City business owners showed they care, raising money for the memorial fund set up in Hermond's honor. It was part of the 'Show the Love OEC' event started by Sanger and her mom as a way to unite the town during a really difficult time. Business owners up and down the street offered specials and collected donations.
"A lot of times people would see that and they would throw all of their change in there as opposed to a dollar or just some change. The next thing you know, it's $10s and $5s and it was really heartening to see," said Sanger.
"This community has been through a lot, a whole lot, two major deadly floods in two years is a lot and people are just trying to keep this wonderful little diamond in Howard County going and so whatever we all can do to help and remember is important," said Lisa Emmerling, who works at Antique Depot.
The Eddison Hermond Memorial Scholarship fund was established to continue his legacy of service and love for the hospitality industry. He actually helped open up Manor Hill Tavern in OEC in 2017. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a member of the hospitality industry who embodies the values Eddie lived by.
"We want to continue to remember and honor Eddie," said Tori Buscher from Manor Hill Brewing.
Manor Hill Tavern recently released the Eddie Brave beer as another fundraiser for his scholarship.
