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Over Memorial Day weekend, the Veteran and First Responder group hosted Witness Tree Ceremonies at FC South on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The purpose of a Witness Tree Ceremony is to remember and honor those that have fallen because of their service in the military. This includes those that have been killed in action, died from physical wounds or Soul Injuries, and those that died from exposure to harmful chemical agents like Agent Orange or burn pits. The ceremony gave the survivors a chance to speak of their friend or loved and place a military style identification "dog tag" on a tree in the prayer garden. Fellowship and prayer was offered and the ceremony finished with the playing of Taps and lighting a Purple Heart Candle. The dog tags are hanging outside in the prayer garden and all are invited to place a tag on the tree at any time.
At the Central Ohio Annual Veterans Stand Down event each October, services are provided to Veterans such as food, shelter, new clothing, VA health screenings, VA and Social Security benefits counseling, and referrals to a variety of other necessary services. Included in these services are housing, employment and substance abuse treatment, education and jobs. First Community Church Veterans and First Responders Group provided support, volunteering to set up, tear down, and staff the event. Through donations from the group we were able to supply many kits for hygiene care. This annual event is a time to support and celebrate our Veterans living in 10 central Ohio counties.
In honor of Veterans Day, the Veterans and First Responders Group will be handing out military veteran lapel pins to veterans after each worship service, on Sunday, November 9. For more information on this group, or for question about ways to join the group, please call or text Graham Webb at 614-296-9917.
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