“Scars and Stripes Forever” was this year’s theme for the Upper Columbia Conference annual Camp Meeting, in College Place, Wash., June 12-15.
While pointing to the price Jesus paid to redeem the world from sin, the theme also encompassed a special veterans’ Sabbath program to remember those who paid the price for America’s religious freedom.
At the veterans’ program, more than 100 men who had served in the military marched into the College Church sanctuary, behind three flags—the American, the Christian, and the POW/MIA banners.
The program included testimonies from veterans, a candle-lighting ceremony to remember those lost during war, and a message from Darold Bigger, a former pastor of the Walla Walla College Church who is now the Deputy Chief of Chaplains for the United States Naval Reserve.
“God does not have any national boundaries,” said Bigger. “He has His people on both sides of every war, and there is a special purpose for each one of them.”
Leo Ranzolin, general vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, was keynote speaker for the Camp Meeting. He spoke each evening about the joy of knowing Christ and living with the hope of His coming.
The list of guest speakers included Morris Venden, retired pastor and associate speaker for the Voice of Prophecy radio ministry; Willie Oliver, director of Family Ministries for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists; and Cindy Tutsch, associate director of the Ellen G. White Estate.
Christian violinist Jaime Jorge played special music at many meetings and held a Sabbath-afternoon concert. •
Arthur Harms, 80, an army World War II veteran, shares his testimony as other veterans listen during a program in their honor at Upper Columbia Conference Camp Meeting. More than 150 veterans participated.
Frank W. Shearer, 96, a veteran air force physician of World War II, participates in the veterans’ program, dressed in his original uniform.
Marine Lonnie Croft, a veteran of Desert Storm, carries the American flag during the veterans’ program at Upper Columbia Conference Camp Meeting.
Leo Ranzolin, general vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, delivers a keynote sermon.
