Veterans saluted

With a combination of prayer and honor, veterans and supporters gathered Sunday to honor the men and women who have served their nation in the armed forces.

The faithful packed into Garden Heights Elementary School to recognize the veterans for their service to both God and country. This was the fourth annual service put on by Lake Valley Baptist Church, as Pastor Mike Swartz told the gathered they could not enjoy the freedoms they have if it weren't for veterans like the ones that came in uniform to the service Sunday.

The church recognized both current and former servicemen Sunday with the presentation of medallions to the soldiers, and the serving of a thanksgiving meal following the service.

"This is a time to honor every veteran who served in the armed forces of the United States," Swartz said.

Some members of the U.S. Army National Guard unit based out of Moses Lake came to the service to honor the mother of one of their fellow soldiers. Servicemen from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 161st Infantry Regiment, presented Shirley Schmunk with a plaque stating their commitment to never forget her son Jeremiah. Spc. Jeremiah Schmunk, a Warden resident and Charlie Company soldier, died while serving in Iraq in 2004.

Shirley Schmunk also spoke during the service, and thanked those soldiers in Charlie Company who she said would always be a part of her family.

"This is a group that I will never, never, never forget," she said.

Staff Sgt. Karl Karlsson was one of the Charlie Company soldiers who presented the plaque to Shirley Schmunk, and said after the service that the Veterans Day holiday is meant to honor the soldiers who have given themselves for the work of the U.S. government.

"It's just nice to have them," Karlsson said of veterans, "and let them know that they're appreciated."

The service also included a message from Dr. Billy Baugham, a retired U.S. Army chaplain who praised the veterans, and reminded those at the service about the origin of the day that began as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I.

Baugham encouraged the audience to pray, and to be faithful to the responsibilities given to them by God. Baugham said he speaks at many ceremonies, and praised the audience in saying that no military would exist without its people and support. That support is something Baugham said he saw in Garden Heights Elementary School Sunday.

"The heart's in here," Baugham told the crowd Sunday.