The St. Leonard Fire Department’s summer concert season got underway Aug. 24 with a visit from Rock 'n' Roll Hall of famers Lynyrd Skynyrd.

A crowd of about 5,000 Southern Marylanders came out in the heat with a real party-spirit to listen to the Whiskey Bottom Boys and socialize until about 8 p.m.

Several wounded soldiers were honored for their contributions to our freedom by being given free admission and seats of honor right near the stage.

It was a far cry from their hospital rooms at Walter Reed.

The crowd welcomed them warmly, and saw to it that they were well fed and well hydrated.

The beer lines were long but kept moving, and the brew was cool and refreshing going down in the August heat.

Calvert County Sheriffs deputies were out in force, although no serious problems were reported.

Your Baynet.com reporter was well received by all of his new friends and neighbors who kindly agreed to have their photos posted here.

When Skynyrd came on about 8:30 they filled their 90 minute set with classics like Curtis Lowe, That Smell, and Sweet Home Alabama.

They rocked hard and of course came back out for an encore with Freebird.

See slideshow below for more pictures from the concert, and see earlier Skynyrd story and pictures here.

Be sure to catch the next concert event supporting the St. Leonard Fire Department; on Sept. 16 when Hootie and the Blowfish come to town.  See you there!