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 The event, according to Pastor LC Sutton, was the product of a
heartfelt desire of parishioner Marsha Fernandes. Pastor Sutton said
that Fernandes comes from a military family and paying tribute to
all veterans is very near and dear to her heart. A couple of years
ago, Fernandes began talking about doing something special for
Veterans Day, and this year the church decided that it was time to
follow through.
Fernandes said she was pleased with the turnout for a first-year
event. Of the 20 or so veterans who came for breakfast only about
five or six were from the church, the balance were veterans who had
accepted the invitation.
Fernandes said that in reaching out to local veterans she had
contacted various American Legion Posts as well as area retirement
and nursing homes. Among those invited was the Christian Village in
Lincoln, and on Saturday, Chaplain Ryan Edgecombe arrived with the
CV bus packed with vets.
As the veterans entered the fellowship hall, they were greeted by
volunteers from the church. As they signed in for the morning, they
were given name tags, and red carnation boutonnieres were pinned on
their shirts.
They were then invited to go straight to the food serving line.
Breakfast consisted of bacon, eggs, toast, pancakes, sausage, and
biscuits and gravy. Guests were welcome to take any or all of the
offerings.
Among the volunteers were several adult church members who did the
cooking and several teenagers of the church who spent time working
around the tables bussing dishes and taking pictures and video of
the event.
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Chaplain Edgecombe was asked to say grace over the meal and in his
prayer spoke of the thankfulness we have for the service of all
veterans of all wars.
As the men enjoyed their meal, the Eminence Youth Pastor and student
at Lincoln Christian University introduced the musical trio of Kameo
Krienke, Shelby Smith, and Prudence Bickhaus, also students from LCU.
The three ladies sang a cappella “My Country Tis of Thee” and “Star
Spangled Banner.” For the singing of the last song, everyone stood,
facing the American flag that was in the center of a large flag
display near the front door.
The tables were decorated with similar miniature versions of the
flag display, and Army veteran Michael Horath was acknowledged for
making the flag displays for the tables.
As the morning began to wind down, Pastor Sutton offered up a
closing prayer, then invited everyone to stay and enjoy coffee and
fellowship for as long as they wished. No one seemed to be in much
of a hurry to leave, as the fellow soldiers enjoyed spending time
together, swapping stories and memories of the times they spent in
military service.
[Nila Smith]
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