news-record.com

In the previous column, I wrote about the excellent West Market Street Methodist Church leadership during World War II. They supported the war effort, and brought comfort to those in the congregation who had sons and daughters and husbands in the military.

The church made a special effort to keep in contact with those members in duty stations all over the world, keeping them aware that those on the home front were available if needed.

In June 1942, the Women's Society of Christian Service subscribed to the Reader's Digest for each West Market service person. And on Nov. 1, 1942, the Rev. J. B. Craven and the Board of Stewards sent a Christmas gift -- the book "Strength for Service to God and Country" -- to all members serving overseas. The book was sent to members serving in the United States on Dec. 6.

In October 1943, the Women's Society of Christian Service sent a photograph of the sanctuary -- with the Service Banner proudly on display -- to each service person with a note telling where his or her star was located.

The church was active in providing comfort for those on the home front, too.

In 1943, the church was open from noon to 9 p.m. from Dec. 19 through 25 for Christmas meditations.

This was done especially for people working and shopping, and as a church home for service men and women in our city. At two-hour intervals, there was a reading of the Christmas Story and other stories; organ solos and singing soloists provided a rewarding experience.

On Dec. 19, 1943, Mrs. Elwood Mitchell, on behalf of the Women's Society of Christian Service asked all members to invite a soldier from BCT 10 to share their home on Christmas Eve or Christmas afternoon. The only base activity planned on that day is Christmas dinner at noon.

The church members noted that many service men and women found the downtown church during the war. All were welcomed at services and church activities.

The church took great pride in all their members who wore the uniform, including several women.

Marion Geoghegan was in the Army Signal Corps. E. Lenora Shuping and Mary E. Williams were Army nurses. Gertrude Stevenson and Margaret Grantham wore the WAVE uniform, and Bernice Barbour and Mary Frances Cox also were in military service.

Three members of the church joined the American Red Cross: Margaret G. Bledsoe and Jeannette Martinoni were stationed in Hawaii.

Also in the Red Cross was Helen Felder Ortiz.

West Market Street actively supported the U. S. Stamps and War Bonds Drives. In fact, the church was raising funds for its education building to be built in the future and accepted the bonds as special gifts for that drive.

On March 3, 1946, West Market Street Church sent names of service men and women to be entered in the Book of Memory in the Room of Remembrance in new Memorial Chapel to be built at Lake Junaluska.

On March 31, 1946, with the war over, the congregation was asked by the Veterans Information & Service Center to help returning veterans and families find places to live as partial payment for the debt we owe them.

And on May 26, 1946, an Honor Service was held to remove the Service Banner with the blue and gold stars, which had hung so proudly in the church all during the war. Honor or memorial certificates were presented to service men and women and their families.

For that Service Banner, a careful record was kept, and each church member in uniform and his or her family knew which star represented their loved one.

These stars were sewed on with devotion by Mrs. J. E. Faulkner, Mrs. J. N. Taylor and Mrs. R. A. Schoonover. They were the ones who had to remove nine blue stars and replace them with gold stars to designate those West Market Street Church members who died in service.

"Unfortunately, our wonderful Service Flag is lost," said Gayle Fripp, who provided an exceptional account of the West Market Street Church activities during WWII. "No one in the current congregation has any idea where it may be, and our appeals to search for it have been unsuccessful."

What a tragedy. We now know that two leading churches in Greensboro -- First Presbyterian Church and West Market Street Methodist Church -- have lost a sacred symbol of service made by their own people.

The flags were maintained with love and dedication all during the war and were living bridges between those at home and those in far-off places, defending the country. As the numbers of those in uniform increased, the Service Banners grew larger, almost taking on a life of their own.

Fortunately, both churches still have the critical records telling which stars on their Service Flags were assigned to which church members.

l l l

Those who have served their country have earned the right to be remembered. If you will send me the names of any veterans who have died in 2008, it will be an honor for this veterans column to remember them in the last column of the year.

Include the veteran's full name; which war they were part of; branch of service (Army, Navy, Marines, etc.); rank (Sergeant, Petty Officer, Lieutenant, etc.); and your name and telephone number. Write me before Nov. 30.

Next column: I will tell about the excellent war records of some members of West Market Street Methodist Church and an idea to use the Service Flag information still on hand.