|
 The
event kicked off at 5:00 pm, with guests finding their seats and
food being prepared. The food was served shortly after, tables being
waited on by the members of Boy Scout Troop 1102. The event itself
was sponsored by the Veterans Ministry at St. John United Church of
Christ (SJUCC) as well as many community volunteers.
Dinner finished shortly after 6:00 and the MC of the
event, Mayor Tracy Welch, introduced the night’s entertainment. The
Harvest of Talents singers, with director Tim Searby and accompanist
Kay Dobson, sang and played music for those in attendance. Lauren
DeJarnette, of the Lincoln Community Theater’s rendition of ‘Nunsense,’
also came up to sing ‘I Just Want to be a Star.’ DeJarnette’s
animated performance was followed by a sing-along with the audience.
After the members of the Harvest of Talents left,
Mayor Welch transitioned the event to the traditional “Mail Call.”
The students from the District # 27 elementary schools (Adams,
Central, Northwest, and Washington-Monroe) had put together letters
and drawings for the veterans. Each veteran’s name was called, and a
member of the Boy Scouts ran a bag to them.
Once the Mail Call had concluded, Jan Jeffries, Chair
of the Veterans Ministry at SJUCC, held a special presentation where
awards were given out to two veterans organizations. Before the
awards were given out, Jeffries shared a story in which a veteran
told her that members of the military are never discharged, they
simply change their location.
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The awards were given out as a result of many
veterans at last year’s dinner requesting it be done. The Marine
Corps League Detachment 1326 Medical Equipment Program and the
American Legion Post 263 Honor Guard were recognized for their
commendable level of service to their community.
Following these awards was a moment of silence and a
vocal solo of ‘On Eagle’s Wings’ by Silas Tockey.
As the guests came in at the beginning of the night, they were given
different types of tickets for a raffle that was going to be
conducted later in the evening. The raffle’s time had come, and
there were a lot of prizes to be given out. Several gift cards to
local businesses, well over a dozen IGA gift cards, and even a purse
were the raffle prizes.
Darlene Begolka read the ticket numbers and a Boy Scout brought each
prize to its winner.
The evening’s event was closed out with a Benediction led by Rev.
David Marquardt, Bridge Pastor at SJUCC.
[Matt Boutcher] |
