St. John United Church of Christ hosts annual Veterans Day Dinner and Celebration

 

[November 14, 2023] 

On Sunday November 13th, the St. John UCC Veterans Celebration was hosted at the American Legion Post 263 for veterans and their families in Logan County. 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.

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]