Over the past few weeks, I have spent about fifty hours (in addition to my other church duties) assisting in a Salute To Veteran’s Event hosted by our church.
My main responsibilities were: 1) designing the flyers and posters that were distributed all over the Outer Banks 2) singing a solo 3) accompanying our dance/drama troupe on the piano (and singing for a couple of their numbers) 4) laying out and printing the program 5) coordinating the media and videos which would be up on the screens during the hour and 45 minute program. 6) doing some of the photography 7) working with the event’s coordinator on all sorts of miscellaneous details.
Steve was involved in it, too, spending many hours on lighting design and special effects and then training a young man in our church to run it all during Saturday night’s program.
Plus? Steve also danced! (More about that later.)
Thankfully, Steve and I absolutely love it when we get to do creative stuff and we feel so blessed that those kinds of events (and accompanying tasks) are a part of our job description. And it was even more of a blessing to know that we were getting the chance to honor the veterans in our area and make them feel like a million bucks.
It was a win win, all around.
The evening started with the posting of the colors.
The keynote speaker, Robert J. White, was also a master bagpipist.. (And although he is wearing a kilt, no one ever dares kid him about it because he was in the Special Forces back in Viet Nam!) Robert plays bagpipes at over 120 military funerals a year, many of them at Arlington.
Our church’s F.I.S.H. Stix group did a fabulous patriotic presentation.
Sarah is part of that group.
Part of their presentation included some old-timey dancing, sort of a combination of the Charleston and the jitterbug.
Guess who got recruited to do the dancin’?
Yep. My very own personal parson.
Libby is the classy lady he is dancing with. Many years ago, Libby’s mom operated the first dance school on the East Coast (in Charlotte), Libby also taught dance for many years and her daughter and daughter-in-law both teach dance. You may also remember Libby as the host of Sarah’s recent birthday tea party.
(By the way, the pink looking stripes up on the screen were actually red when viewed in real life. As the media coordinator, I just want you to know I would never choose bright pink graphics for a military presentation!)
Another highlight of the evening was a song by our own version of the Andrews Sisters, three women who sing on our worship team.
They did The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B and brought the house down.
After a drama (written and acted in by our associate pastor) and a whole lot of other special activities, the evening ended with the removal of the flags. . .
and the Star Spangled Banner.
And then at the very end, the bagpipist (who also plays five other instruments) went up to the balcony and played TAPS on a bugle while pictures of a funeral in Arlington scrolled across the front screens.
It was an incredible feeling to stand in a large crowd made up of a variety of military personnel and hear the sad, sonorous tones of a bugle played into the silence. It was such a privilege to get to honor and remember those who served and those who didn’t return.
And if you (or a family member) has ever served in the military, the evening was for you, too.
Thank you.
Hello Smith Family —- oh how I’ve missed reading about your lives. This program seems to be nothing short of programs I’ve seen your family put together over the years. Thank you for honoring out country’s Vetrens!
On another note, I’ve been crying for two days now at the passing of my most favorite blog dog, Mr. Snowy Smith. Last I read (sometime this past summer) he was ill but I was shocked nonetheless. I haven’t had a chance to read all the posts I’ve missed but I did scan far enough to see you have a new pet poochie in the house…… YAY!
Also, when I’ve been away for awhile I’m always nervous to see what I might read of Sarah and I’m thrilled she’s a vision of HEALTHY loveliness. And my lawd I cannot believe she’s 17— SEVENTEEN!!!
Becky, you are as beautiful as ever and I’ve missed reading your words….. Words of love, faiith, encouragement and FAMILY Yes I’ve missed the family Smith! I was worried about you all when Sandt roared through……. So happy your all safe ……. Deb
Deb, how nice to hear from you again!! Thanks for all your many words of encouragement; you have a real gift for day-brightening.
And yes, we are all sad right along with you about having to say good bye to Snowy; what a great dog with a great heart. But little Summer is bringing us many doggie smiles and helping to heal our hearts.
Blessings!
I’ve got tears in my eyes and goosebumps just imagining the whole thing. Hearing Taps always gets me. As the wife and daughter-in-law of military veterans I know how important this holiday is. Thank you for honoring our vets. Sure hope you’ll post some videos! 🙂
Gayle in AL
Gayle, someone did video but I haven’t seen it yet to see how it turned out. If it turned out well, I’ll try and post a few snippets here.
wow! I bet there wasn’t a dry eye in the house!
I sing with a group that visits retirement homes, and we always had a patriotic section, but the last few years, there were very few or no veterans in the audience. We (the singers) always cried when the folks managed to stand when we sang “God Bless America”.
looks like Libby might have a little competition there.
I was the first one to vote today at my location which just happens to be the church where I work. So, I got there at five with a book, grabbed a chair, and planted myself in front of the polling room. i knew I couldn’t stand in line for more than a few minutes, and when I left at probably 6:05 the line extended three hallways! Would have been a huge “ugh!” if I hadn’t arrived early.
Mrs. Pam, I can’t imagine how heartening it is to see elderly, infirm folks struggle to stand during God Bless America. That just warms my heart.
And good for you, getting to you polling place before 6 am! Wow. Looking at the line, I know you’re glad you got there when you did. Hard to believe the line was extending to three hallways at 6:05; I’m glad people are taking their privilege of voting seriously. Steve and I voted on Thursday and waited about 90 minutes.
Ann, “That’s my cup of tea type of program” sums it up very well. We would have enjoyed having you and Jim attend!
Ken, It truly was a great night; wish you could have been here, too!
CONGRATULATIONS ON A GREAT NIGHT…WISH I COULD HAVE BEEN THERE TO SEE IT IN PERSON…BLESSINGS
Wish we could have been there. That’s my “cup of tea” type of programs. Thanks!
I love that your church honors the veterans like that. I am sure they all greatly appreciated it. It sounds like it was a wonderful show.
Anna, I think the veterans truly enjoyed it and felt special because of it–and we had a great time doing it for them!
Beautiful and touching…wish I could’ve heard the “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”! Oh my, the Star Spangled Banner AND Taps…not enough tissues.
Anon, you’re right about not enough tissues! It was such a special night.
Steve is rockin’ it out!
What a fun and moving evening.
Mary, yep, he’s a rockin’ kind of guy!