Yesterday, Bethel Presbyterian Church* held a special ceremony to honor all veterans and members of the Armed Forces affiliated with their church. The program started with a welcome and invocation by the church's pastor, Rev. Paul L. Rhodes. Several veterans and service organizations participated in the service. The event was organized partly to honor the 200 year history of the church and its members.
A rifle salute and cannon salute were conducted by people in uniforms of previous wars. The people in the above photo were dressed in period attire to represent the US Civil War. The woman on the left belongs to the Society of the Black Rose. This organization was established in 1998 to help with memorial services. Wearing a complete period mourning outfit, she is present to remind people of the loss of life during the Civil War. The Black Rose was named in honor of Rose O'Neal Greenhow, who lost her life trying to help the Confederate Cause.
The Bethel event also included a flag retirement ceremony and the presentation and raising of a new flag. This fine ceremony was educational to many and meaningful to all who attended.
*Read our earlier post on Bethel Presbyterian here.
Thank you for sharing this special service at my church w/ your readers. You captured the essence of the day and the service in your blog. The picture was great as well. I am glad that you were able to be there with us to enjoy the service and commemoration of our veterans and our rich heritage at Bethel. Thanks again.
Posted by: Sharon Smith | Monday, October 01, 2012 at 04:21 PM
You are welcome, Sharon. It was a powerful service and we love to showcase the great things about Greensboro. Bethel Presbyterian has a great community of members. Thank you for opening the event to the public.
Posted by: Janis & David | Monday, October 01, 2012 at 05:40 PM
What a great picture, and a fine article too! The Society of the Black Rose and the various units that each took a part made for a very moving and powerful tribute to those who have offered their lives to secure freedom for others. As a native Pennsylvanian serving as pastor of this 200-year-old church in North Carolina, I am often moved by the graves and other historical artifacts or writings, especially of the The War between the States era. How anguishing it must have been for those with living relatives who had fought to establish and then defend the United States to decide that they needed to fight to leave it. The Black Rose visually captures that for me, as well as the grief that comes with the losses in every war.
Posted by: Paul Rhodes | Tuesday, October 02, 2012 at 11:56 AM