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By Bob Bearchell –
Recently, at the Spokane Citadel Corps retreat, Major Joe Hoogstad, divisional secretary, presented 50 year Long Service awards to his mother, Maude Hoogstad, and Home League Secretary Helen Dorman. That adds up to a century of dedicated service for Christ and the Army.
LEMON INSPIRES
More than 400 recently joined the Army in Greeley, Colo., for their annual dinner. Lieuts. Kris and Camey Potter, along with a strong, supporting advisory board, put together a wonderful evening to celebrate the Army’s work in the Weld County area. Special guest Meadowlark Lemon, from the fabled Harlem Globetrotters, shared his Christian witness with an appreciative crowd.
MEMORIAL PARK DEDICATED
Recently Salvationists gathered at the El Camino Memorial Park in San Diego County to dedicate the Sierra Del Mar Division‘s memorial cemetery. The El Cajon Band played, and “Taps” was echoed by Captain Glen Madsen, Matt Madsen, and Major Rudy Hedgren. Major Ernie Clevett offered a vocal tribute in memory of his departed wife, Willa, who was the first to be interred in this section.
DEDICATION AT WAIOLI
At the Waioli Chapel, Honolulu, 13 children of mothers in the Family Treatment Services program were recently dedicated. What a symbol of hope for these families!
CHEYENNE SUNDAY SCHOOL WINS
The Intermountain Division (Colonels Bruce and Dorothy Harvey) recognizes the importance of Sunday school as necessary to successful corps growth and Mission2000. The Cheyenne, Wyo., Corps Sunday school was the winner of a $5,000 first place achievement award for their outstanding enrollment and program. Second place award of $2,500 went to Grand Junction, Colo., and third place of $1,000 was awarded to South Valley New Hope, Colo. Congratulations to all!
ALASKAN HONORED
Mike Schmickrath, public relations director for the Alaska Division, recently was named to the Order of Leopold by King Albert of Belgium. This honor was in recognition of his work in the Russian Far East. Most recently, Mike led a disaster relief team from Alaska to the Sakalin earthquake site. Mike soldiers at the South Anchorage Corps.
BACK TO SCHOOL SPREES
Mervyns stores and The Salvation Army cooperated recently in Anaheim, Calif., and El Paso, Texas, to give escorted shopping sprees to hundreds of children from low-income families. Mervyns matches funds donated to the Army and gives a 20 percent discount. Volunteers say there’s nothing like the excited look on the children’s faces when they get to pick out new clothing.
WES LAWS RETIRES
After 47 years with the Army, C. Wesley Laws is retiring. Wes has served the Army in all four USA territories. Most recently he has been director of all Silvercrest management facilities for the Golden State and Del Oro Divisions. Wes will retire to Louisville, Ky., where his physician daughter, Melissa, lives with her husband His retirement address will be: 8203-1 Halston Court, Louisville, KY 40222. Farewell, Wes, and well done!
THRIFT STORE FEATURED
We were happy to hear that the Van Nuys, Calif., ARC Thrift Store was featured on Alan Mendelsohns hour-long Best Buys television show. Leslie-Anne Quinn, store supervisor, says they convinced Alan that ours was special and worth taking a look at. This will be great for thrift store sales!
NEW SOLDIERS COUNT
At Flagstaff, Ariz., Captains Frank and Susan Severs enrolled 18 Junior Soldiers for the People Count campaign. This was a direct result of contacts made from corps families and from visitation. Wonderful news!