Wednesday's Internet Edition, December 03, 2008.
|
| The several hundred Copperas Cove residents attending the "god Bless Our Troops" rally joined in a prayer Friday night for the safe return of the Fort Hood soldiers being deployed to the Middle East. – Photo by KRISTAN HALL |
Chaplain Col. Gregory Schannep, Fort Hood garrison chaplain and guest speaker at the rally, said to those attending the Friday event "Are you proud to be an American? Say Hooah."
Schannep received a resounding "Hooah." He said "Hooah" means anything but no.
Schannep talked about the soldiers who serve their country and those in the Bible and the soldier, Jesus Christ, who told his disciples in John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Jordan Kurzyniec sang "When I Call on Jesus" after Schannep's speech and prayers were said for deploying soldiers and their families.
Those affected by the deployment, either as the one being deployed, the family member of one being deployed or part of the community where those being deployed live, walked across the stage and introduced themselves in a segment called, "I am Your Neighbor."
Amie and Katie Kilgore said they moved to Cove at the end of December and their husband/ dad deployed on Feb. 10. "We are your neighbor," they said.
Captain Bill Maner of the 220th FA BN Rear Detachment commander said his mission is to be there for the families as the soldiers deploy. "I am your neighbor," he said.
Lieutenant Danny Austin from the Copperas Cove Police Department said that he and the CCPD would be here to protect the families of Copperas Cove during this deployment. "I am your neighbor," he said.
Rick Clark said he went to Southwest Asia during Desert Storm as a soldier, this time he'll be going as a civilian. His daughter, Annika, said, "I'm going to miss my dad." They both said, "We are your neighbors."
Copperas Cove Mayor Rodney Nauert said,"Copperas Cove is proud of our soldiers. Those who are being deployed shouldn't worry because Cove will be here for your families. Cove is your home now and when you return. I am your neighbor."
Lieutenant Aubrey Ashford came onstage with his wife and son, saying he was going to be deployed, and his wife, Daisy, would be staying behind with their son. "We are your neighbors," they said.
Sergeant Katrina Grove said she was a Chaplain Assistant deploying with Taskforce Ironhorse. She asked that we remember the soldiers in our prayers. "I am your neighbor," she said.
Desirae Clark, one of the event organizers, said her brother-in-law, her husband and her best friend were being deployed. "I am your neighbor," she said.
Finally, pastors from churches in Copperas Cove took the stage and a spokesman said, "We are the pastors of churches in Copperas Cove. We will be here for your families before, during and after this deployment; we are your neighbors."
Many more people introduced themselves during the segment. Clark later said, "The important thing is, while some said their names, most didn't. Why? Because they are representing 1000s in the exact same situation. Look around for your neighbors!"
The program ended with the singing of "God Bless the U.S.A," which was led by Chief Deputy Sheriff for Coryell County Doug West, and his wife, Veronica.
Copies of the New Testament were handed out to people as they entered the auditorium by members of the Freedom Baptist Church in Copperas Cove and the Tabernacle Independent Baptist Church of Killeen.
The Copperas Cove Noon Exchange Club and the American Legion and Auxiliary passed out American Flags.
The VFW Auxiliary passed out yellow ribbons, which were made by the VFW junior girls.