In a special service of remembrance and gratitude, St John’s pays tribute to veterans
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With poppies, rousing hymns, and a brass quartet we remembered the men and women who’ve served in the armed forces, including the many who sacrificed their lives or health.
Many veterans, some in their service uniforms and others wearing medals, awards and decorations, were told that although it was natural to grieve, they should not do so without hope.
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In his sermon, our Junior Warden Chris Cooper, who is a retired US Navy Commander with 26 years’ service, said that on Veterans Day “our grief and our gratitude intertwine.
“We remember those lost in battle. We remember grandparents, parents, spouses, and friends who served and have now passed into the nearer presence of God.”
Chris recalled what he said was St Paul’s “word of deep comfort” to the grieving in his letter to the Thessalonians.
“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope”.
Veterans Frank Jenks and John Fleet read the lessons
A brass quartet added resonance to the hymns. Kurt Zemaitaitis and Kevin Kinsall, trumpet, Vince Yanovitch, trombone and John Banker, tuba
Among the hymns were Eternal Father, Strong to Save, and the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Eternal Father – with its first three stanzas ending with the line – “for those in peril on the sea” – is a traditional hymn of the US Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps. Its emotionally engaging lyrics were given renewed impetus and power by the brass instruments accompanying the choir and Kathy Cooper on the organ.
The brass quartet also injected added drama and resonance to the singing of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, from its opening words “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord”.
Written by Julia Ward Howe in 1861, the hymn was adapted from “John Brown’s Body” the marching song used by Union troops during the Civil War. It has been sung on numerous historic occasions, such as the New Year’s Day service at Christ Episcopal Church in Virginia in 1942 attended by President Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, and a service of remembrance attended by the Queen and the American Ambassador William Farish at St Paul’s Cathedral in London three days after the attacks of 9/11, 2001. The St John’s congregation gave it a stirring and heartfelt rendering.
Kelly Todd decorated the church hall tables with flags and flowers
After the service, in the church hall, the mood lightened as veterans shared memories of their years in uniform.
Retired submariners, Commanders Chris Cooper and Ted Ward
Retired Senior Chief Petty Officer Maurice Cordeau, who served 23 years as a submariner and went on to help design the boats in Groton
David Lersch a Coast Guard veteran (right)
Army veterans Hugh Butler, and (above on the right) Frank Jenks with John Banker. The brass quartet were Frank’s gift to us.
In his sermon, Chris Cooper thanked St John’s own veterans “for offering their youth, their vigor and in many cases their physical and emotional well-being”.
We thank you, he said “for what you sacrificed and for the quiet strength you continue to offer to this parish, this community, and this nation”.