Grace Pointe Honors Veterans with Ceremony

"It's just an honor to have you here with us," Pastor Jim Spivey said welcoming the large crowd, filled with veterans from all branches of the military to Grace Pointe Community Church of God, Sunday.

"Besides Christmas, this is one of my favorite services," Spivey said.

Spivey said that his grandfather, father and cousins have all served in the military. "7 percent of the nation is a veteran," Spivey said before introducing esteemed guests including both Senator Judy Ward and Representative Jim Gregory.

Ward spoke using the popular 1945 President Harry Truman quote – "Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices."

Ward talked about her family ties with the military and that her father was a prisoner of war. Gregory echoed that same sentiment about how "proud my family was of Uncle Bob."

Gregory was also move d by a little boy a few rows in front of him who was saluting the flag during the playing of the National Anthem.

The church then put together a video of past and present members of the church during their years in the military followed by one of the crowd favorites - the theme song of the branch playing with those in the audience whose branch it was rising for their branch. The children's class presented a song and distributed small tokens of appreciation for the veterans in the crowd.

Spivey then introduced guest speaker Carlton Cannon Sr., a Purple Heart recipient who was a decorated Marine. Cannon and his wife, Lettie, have three children and five grandchildren. Following his esteemed military resume, Cannon has been a dominant force within the Church of God ministry for years.

Cannon served in Vietnam from 1967-68, and was wounded three times. Cannon retired from the Marine Corps in 1991. Spivey said he met Cannon in Baltimore and has known him in many different capacities for over 40 years.

Cannon first praised Spivey, saying he and his family were "great people of God." He then introduced his wife, Lettie as his "queen" and noted that they have been married over 51 years. Cannon talked about the importance of a religious background growing up.

"It kept me in Vietnam, knowing the Lord was with me. The God we serve is good, I wouldn't be standing here without the Lord."

Cannon's speech included a shot at Jeopardy. When asked how many steps does the guard take at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, none of the contestants knew the answer. The answer was 21, much like the 21-gun salute, the highest honor given at military funerals.

Cannon delved deeper into the job description of a guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which included no drinking alcohol for the rest of your life and no swearing in public, items much of the crowd did not know. Following the two years required to serve as a guard, one is presented with a prestigious wreath pin. There are 400 currently circulating in the United States.

Cannon then asked the crowd about the blessings in their life: if they have food in the refrigerator, a roof over their head and a bed to sleep in, they're richer than 75 percent of the people in the world. If they have money in their bank accounts, they're richer than most in the world.

Cannon ended his speech with the realities of war and living with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

"Holding things in can really traumatize you," Cannon said. "War is grown men falling, and you are this 18-19-year-old kid just screaming and yelling. When it's all over, you just see bodies everywhere, some of which are friends.

"When it's all said and done, you're proud to serve our country and I'm proud to be a Veteran," Cannon said in closing.

Following the service, guests were treated to a meal at the Veterans' Memorial Center.