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Majors George and Jeri Bawden greeted family members, friends and associates at their recent retirement celebration in Port Angeles, WA.
In attendance were Northwest Divisional Commander Major Ron Strickland and Alaska divisional leaders Lt. Colonels Terry and Linda Griffin.
George Bawden entered the Proclaimers of the Faith Session out of Great Falls, MT, and was commissioned in 1965. He served as corps officer in Yakima, Centralia, and Olympia, WA, and assisted in the opening of Tri Cities, WA, Helena, MT, and Anaheim, CA. In Anaheim he met and married then Captain Jeri James in 1968.
Jeri James entered the Soldiers of Christ session out of Santa Monica, CA, and was commissioned in 1962. She served in Spokane, WA in Women’s Social Services, and as corps assistant in Oxnard, Compton, and Santa Barbara, CA. She was corps officer in Douglas, AZ, and served at Southern California DHQ.
Together, the Bawdens served in California at Anaheim, Whittier, Los Angeles Harbor Light, Southern CA DHQ, Santa Maria, Long Beach and Lincoln Heights. In 1980 they were appointed to serve in the Army’s rehabilitation work. They trained in Santa Ana, Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose before becoming administrators in Stockton and Van Nuys, CA.
In 1993 they once again became corps officers in Port Angeles, WA.
Jeri received her 40 year long service award this year. Between them, they have over 77 years of service. George is a 5th generation Salvationist his family began working in the Army in England in the late 1800s.
The Bawdens have one son, George II, who lives with his wife Martyna in Boise, Idaho.
Their retirement address is: 3003 S. Oak, Port Angeles, WA 98362-6924.
