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Prior to the breakfast, organizer Marsha Fernandes
said that she and the church were very excited to be bringing the
veterans back to the small country church to be honored with a
hearty homemade breakfast.
For those who are unfamiliar, Eminence Church is located in the
country between Atlanta and Union. The church was founded in 1838
and is the oldest, still functioning church in Logan County. Outside
of a few years during the great depression, the church has held
services for its congregation 183 years.
The day began early for church volunteers who gathered to make up
mounds of pancakes, pans of biscuits, a couple gallon of gravy, huge
piles of sausage, bacon, eggs, hash browns and toast. Coffee was
brewed by the gallon and orange juice was poured and set out for
veterans to help themselves or be served by a willing volunteer.
The large flag display that is always a part of the day was set up
as a centerpiece with items meant to serve as a salute to our flag,
as well as our fallen soldiers.
As guests arrived, all were greeted by Eminence Pastor Henry
Johnson.
Veterans and widows of veterans were offered a carnation, pinned to
their shirts or coats by church volunteers.
Guests of honor were made up of veterans, widows and family members
of veterans. Some of the guests were men and women who live in the
surrounding area and others were residents of long term care and
senior living facilities in Lincoln, brought in by bus for the
breakfast.
As the food was set out and ready to dish up, Pastor Johnson
welcomed everyone to the breakfast. Church member Mike Horath
assisted with the presentation of colors and the National Anthem was
sang and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited by all.
Prayer for the food and the guests was offered, then it was time for
everyone to dig in.
Volunteers prepared plates for those who were unable to do so on
their own. Those who were in wheelchairs had the option of going
through the line with assistance from church members or members of
the Marine Corps League.
As plates were filled and guests began enjoying the meal, the loud
happy sounds of storytelling and laughter fell to a low whisper
while everyone was busy eating instead of talking.
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With breakfast nearly consumed, church member Jeaneen Brown offered
up some special music including the Veteran Version of Hallelujah as
written by Sailor Jerri.
You packed your bags
and shut the door
You crossed the sea to fight a war
You didn’t know just what would happen to ya?
Stepped in the dirt, boots on the ground
And gunfire was the only sound
And to yourself you whispered Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
Everyday and Every night
You walk the walk, you fight the fight
You never saw the end in sight now did ya?
The days awash in a haze of red
The blood, the mud, too many dead
Your weary soul was crying, Hallelujah!
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
Too late to help, you hear a shot
You know you’re in a deadly spot
You never thought this day would come now did ya?
Your brother falls down to the ground
The enemy is all around
From your lips you scream a Hallelujah!
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
You fought the fight till it was done
You have the strength to carry on
You thought it’d be much better back home did ya?
You try each day, keep pushing through
But the battle lives inside of you
It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
It was an emotional song for Brown herself, and also for several of
the veterans in the room who understood all too well the sentiments
put to music. Still, it was a pleasant and unexpected surprise for
Brown when the room filled with voices. At the end of each stanza
everyone in the room joined in singing the final line, “Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!”
There was time allotted for going around the room and each veteran
or veteran widow in attendance introducing themselves and being
offered the opportunity to say a few words about their service to
the country or themselves.
During that time, it was learned that Richard Kruzemark was the
oldest veteran in the room. At age 99, Kruzemark is preparing to
celebrate his 100th in February. It was also noted that Bill Gossett
was in attendance with wife Jean, and Gossett is 98 years old.
As the introductions continued around the room, veterans talked
about their years of service with most being from World War II and
the Korean Conflict and a much smaller number being from the Vietnam
War.
Many spoke about their rank and their years of service. One veteran
remarked that he served in Vietnam. He said that at the first of
December this year he will mark 50 years since his return home from
the war.
As the day was coming to a close, Bill Dennis with the Marine Corp
League made a special effort to acknowledge not only the church but
especially Fernandes who came up with the idea to host an annual
breakfast for veterans.
Fernandes also announced she had a special gift for each veteran and
veteran widow in the room. Students from the Lincoln and Olympia
South elementary schools had made cards for the veterans. She said
that more than 600 cards had been made. The cards had been divided
up and placed in large envelopes with each veteran receiving an
envelope to take home and enjoy.
In addition to all the activities of the day, church member and
veteran Mike Horath got plenty of attention with the new shirt he
was wearing. The shirt was screen-printed on the front with a
silhouette of Christ at the crucifixion and an image of a solider in
the foreground.
On the back it read, “Only two defining forces have every offered to
die for you, Jesus Christ, and the American Veteran.”
Need we say anymore?
[Nila Smith] |
