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Area residents who watched the U.S. Army All-American Bowl had occasion to be proud, as one of Frederick's sons was honored for service to his country.

Capt. Alton McCallum Jr. is one of 85 decorated soldiers who were honored at a special on-field ceremony during the nationally televised game Jan. 3 in San Antonio, Texas.

Each of the honorees is the recipient of a Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal or Purple Heart for service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.

McCallum, who returned early from serving his most recent tour of duty in Afghanistan in April 2007 after sustaining an injury, won the Purple Heart for his service.

He was doing a resupply mission there and was hit by an improvised explosive device, suffering a severe right leg fracture. He was flown to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, then to Germany and finally to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he received medical treatment.

A 1997 graduate of Frederick High School, McCallum played fullback for the Cadets and also for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. As such, he said before the event that he especially looked forward to watching the football game.

"It's exciting. I'm excited to see the brand-new talent that's going to be in college the next few years, and maybe also in the pros, and it's a privilege to actually come here and mentor these guys and talk to them before some of the biggest decisions in their lives," he said.

Originally from Frederick, McCallum now lives in Milwaukee, Wisc. Members of his family reside in Brunswick.

While with the 1-41 Infantry from Fort Riley, Kan., McCallum did one tour of duty in Iraq, before the one in Afghanistan. He is still in the Army, working as commander of the Milwaukee Recruiting Company.

In its ninth year, the annual All-American Bowl is billed as the nation's premier high school all-star football game. Its organizers aim to highlight the ideals of leadership, courage and strength that elite athletes and soldiers share.

Winter dip raises funds Brunswick's second-annual Freezin' for a Reason event was an even bigger success than the first event last year, according to Brunswick Area Recreation Council secretary Shirley Ward.

Participants plunged into the Potomac River — at least up to their ankles — and remained in the frigid water for at least 30 seconds at the Brunswick Family Campground on Jan. 1 after gathering donations from sponsors for local charities. Some diehard participants, who call themselves "polar bears," even plunged in over their heads.

This year's event brought in more than $2,300, which will be split between the event's sponsors — $460 each will go to Brunswick Main Street and the recreation council — and a yet-to-be-determined charity, which will receive about $1,400. Possible charity recipients include the Brunswick Food Bank, the Emergency Relief Fund and the BEACON Group.

"The majority of funds we give to a charity … whichever one we pick, it all goes back to the Brunswick area," Ward said. "It was a great event, they had a lot of fun, and considering the weather, it was a great turnout."

Ward was unsure how many people attended, but she said the number was slightly less than last year, due to the extreme cold of the day.

Scouts hold Space Derby

Cub Scout Pack 278 of Braddock Heights held its annual Space Derby last month. Participants race wooden rocket ships propelled by plastic propellers and a special rubber band-powered propulsion system.

This year's derby winners were Tiger Scouts Warren Funk in first, Ben Wickizer in second, and William Guker in third.

Cub Scout winners were Garrett Kimball in first, Daniel Shapiro in second, and Sam Billotti in third.

Frederick woman earns doctorate

Congratulations to Kristina C. Ehrhardt Deak, who earned the degree of Doctor of Audiology from Salus University in Elkins Park, Pa.

Deak previously received a Bachelor of Arts in hearing and speech sciences from the University of Maryland in College Park and a master's degree in audiology from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.

Established in July, Salus University offers degrees in audiology, optometry, education and rehabilitation and health sciences.

Scout receives Eagle Award

Christopher S. Daniel, a member of Boy Scout Troop 470, earned an Eagle Scout award in August. Daniel planned and built a labyrinth and garden behind Trinity Chapel at Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ on West Church Street for walking and meditation.

Daniel is the son of Kenneth and Barbara Kershner Daniel of Frederick. Chris has served as an assistant patrol leader, quartermaster and senior patrol leader for his troop.

Peace quilt adorns Winchester Hall

Stop by Winchester Hall today and you're likely to see a peace, harmony and diversity quilt given to the county by the Frederick County Human Relations Commission last month.

The colorful block quilt is on display at Winchester Hall on East Church Street until Friday, when it will move to the Banner School on North Market Street, said Denise Smith, administrative specialist for the county's human relations department.

After a month, the quilt will then move to two different Frederick County schools for display during the year.

According to Smith, the quilt project began December 2006 after the commission marked the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The public was invited to submit designs for the patches.

Connie Castanera, a volunteer for the commission, assembled the quilt, which measures about 5 feet by 5 feet.

Named "Frederick Re-imagined, Our Roots, Our Dreams, Our Vision, A Gathering for Social Harmony," the quilt is a symbol of the human relations department and what the community should strive to achieve, Smith said. "It's a reminder that you know, there's good in all people," she noted.

Do you have an item for Valley Voice? Contact reporter Connor Adams Sheets at 301-846-2130 or e-mail csheets@gazette.net.