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During World War II, members of First Lutheran Church in Greensboro were encouraged to buy bonds, collect scrap metal, volunteer at the Red Cross and invite military on duty in Greensboro into church members' homes.

Women of the church set up kitchen and dining facilities at the church to provide low-cost noon meals for downtown workers and the general public.

The 100th anniversary (1907--2007) church booklet noted the many activities during the war years. Vye Cox was especially effective in "sitting with wives and mothers of soldiers serving in the combat zones."

As the war ended, the church was able to obtain needed equipment, and a new building fund was begun. "By 1950, there were 400 members, a significant recovery from 1935," the booklet said.

I thank World War II Army Air Force veteran Al Lochra for gathering the details listed here. First Lutheran Church members served bravely and for a small church in great numbers during the war.

As a veteran, I am amazed at how varied the military records of this comparatively small number of servicemen and women were. And yet, they were typical of the varied experiences of those who were in uniform during the war years.

First Luthern Church members were sent to almost all the continents of the world, where they served in every combat theater with the possible exception of China-Burma-India.

Their duties ran the gamut -- they served on ships and in the air and on the ground. They had experiences, good and bad, that stayed with them all their lives -- indeed, some of the experiences changed their lives.

They did their duty honorably for God and country. No man and no woman can do more. I salute each and every one of them.

Lochra was among the veterans who joined the church after the war. Lochra, Army Air Force, was a radio operator in heavy bombers, shipped to England in January 1945 to join the 100th Bomb Group.

It was known as the "bloody 100th" because of heavy losses in combat over Germany. Lochra completed 19 combat missions before the war in Europe ended.

Another who joined the church later was Robert Hoffman, Army, a chemist who was invited to join the Manhattan Project (to build the atom bomb). He worked at Oak Ridge, Tenn.

James Louden, Army Air Force, was pilot of A-26 and B-26 military aircraft, flew 64 combat missions in Europe. He also was a combat pilot during the Korean War and Vietnam War. He also flew the B-29, the C-47 and the KC-97 tanker.

William Gunderson, Army, was taken prisoner during the Battle of the Bulge and freed by Gen. Patton's armored units.

Among the veterans now deceased were brothers Charles R. and Francis Ray Bostian.

Charles Bostian, Navy, served in naval intelligence and had top-secret clearance. Francis Ray Bostian, Marine, served at Iwo Jima and earned the Purple Heart. Their mother served in Washington as a Yeomanette during World War I.

Here is a breakdown of others and where they served.

Living veterans who served in WWII: Henry Jacobs, Army Air Force, Northway, Alaska, "leg station" in transferring planes to Soviet Union; Tom Jacobs, U.S. Marines, Oahu, Hawaii; Jacob Shepherd, pilot, Army Air Force.

WWII veterans now deceased: Ernest Monroe Cress Jr., Army Air Force, Dakar, French West Africa; Jo Flynn , Army WAC, a training officer and then in the Pentagon; Thomas Rhyne, Army, Japan; Edward Schenk, Army Engineers, Pacific Theater; Bernard Shepherd, Navy. Pacific Theater in WWII and later in the Korean War; Jay Shepherd, Navy; George Thompson, Marine pilot of torpedo bomber in Pacific Theater, saw action in four battles.

Veterans who joined the church after the war: George Arnold, Navy; Carlton (Buddy) Deal, Army Air Force, Brazil; William Elliott, Army and Army Air Force; Robert L. Gobble Jr., Philippines; Joseph B. Henson Jr., Army, allowed to finish his medical training, then served in Army two years; Gino Marco, Army, served in European Theater with the 42nd Infantry Division, played bagpipes in division band; Conrad McClintock, Navy, Pacific theater, after second atom bomb, picked up freed American prisoners of war; William Hofer, Army Air Force, Caribbean, Central America, Panama; William Mims, Army Air Force.

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Those who have served their country deserve to be remembered. Send me the names of any veterans who have died in 2008, and I will remember them in the last column of the year.

Please include the veteran's full name; which war they were part of; branch of service and your name and telephone number.

Deadline is Nov. 30.