The public is invited to a Veterans Day Service at Afton UMC on Nov 11 at 7pm. This service will be in honor or memory of those who made the sacrifice to leave their home, family, and friends to defend the freedoms of our great nation. Included in the program will be John Miles, resident of Ophelia and member of Afton, sharing his personal story of being on the USS Oriskany when the hangar deck caught fire transforming it into a flaming inferno. The entire story of this incident is recorded in the book “Fire on the Hangar Deck-Ordeal of the Oriskany”, authored b Wynn F. Foster. Included will be others sharing personal stories from time spent serving our country. Among them, will be the story of the late Richard Rice of Reedville. In 1972, near the end of the Vietnam war, then Capt. Rice, at great personal risk, saved the life of an American pilot. For this act of heroism, Dick was awarded the Soldier’s Medal, one of the nation’s highest awards for bravery. Dick’s neighbor and friend, Robert Hathaway will help us recall the life of this American soldier. Also included in the program will be the stories of Buddy Scala, the oldest member of the Afton Congregation Buddy’s stories of bravery will be told by Bob Pangle, friend and member of Afton church. Buddy entered the service as a teenager and survived multiple Island invasions in the South Pacific. While waiting in Luzon, Philippines, for orders of the Japanese invasion, President Truman ordered the bombing of Hiroshima marking the end of World War II. Families are encouraged to bring their children so they can learn first-hand about these events.
All veterans attending the service will be recognized. In addition, those attending who have a personal story they wish to share should contact Alf Braxton, Worship Leader, at 804-436-5310. The Northumberland High School ROTC will present the American flag. Light refreshments will be served following the service. Afton UMC is located at 5130 Hacks Neck Road in Ophelia Virginia.
