Listen to this article
Captain James Lloyd receives a medal.
by Beverley Lloyd –
On May 2, 2009, the Veterans of Oregon recognized Salvation Army Captain James E. Lloyd for his prior military service with an Honorable Service Medal during a ceremony in Newport, Ore. Lloyd currently serves as candidates’ secretary in the Cascade Division.
Created to acknowledge Americans who have served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States, the Honorable Service Medal is presented in a public ceremony as a token of esteem—a way of saying “thank you” to our country’s soldiers for their commitment and sacrifice. Each medal is a reminder that the service of every veteran should never be forgotten.
Lloyd served a total of eight years in the U.S. Army with three terms overseas including Operation Desert Storm. After his eight years, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army as a sergeant.
Also attending the ceremony was Captain Rich Pease, Bay Communities corps officer, a prior recipient of the medal for his service in the Coast Guard.
In conjunction with the medal of honor service, Newport hosted the “Field of Honor,” a gathering place with 1,000 flags set up as a maze. Each flag is dedicated to a veteran. The field is portable so it can be erected at different locations conducting ceremonies. Lloyd and family visited the maze to honor those who fought for the freedom America enjoys. A place of healing for all veterans, the maze is a living memorial that travels throughout the State of Oregon.
Every summer Lloyd hosts the National Guard camp at Cascade Division’s Camp Kuratli for the children of veterans or deployed military families within the State of Oregon. “We are grateful for the ministry that we can have in the lives of children whose parents have made a sacrifice for our freedom, sometimes at the cost of their lives,” said Lloyd.
Submitted by Captain Beverley Lloyd