Faith-based New Year’s Eve program to honor soldiers

by George Jaksa | The Flint Journal

See Full Article Here: http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2007/12/faithbased_new_years_eve_progr.html

FLINT — Area military personnel who have died or served in Iraq and Afghanistan will be honored in a New Year’s Eve faith-based program highlighted by gospel music and words of encouragement from five local pastors.

The 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. event at Riverside Tabernacle, 429 NB Chavez Drive, will culminate with the appearance of soldiers home on leave and a candlelight ceremony ushering in the new year. National Guard members from the Flint Armory also will attend.

“In the past, some of us (pastors) have rotated New Year’s Eve events but this year we have added the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan,” said the Rev. Michael R. Stone, pastor of Power of God Ministries in Mt. Morris Township. “This year we also have decided to invite the community.”

Stone has had a plaque prepared listing the victims of the war from Genesee County which will eventually hang in VFW Post 4005, Corunna.

Ray Geyer of Flint, a decorated disabled Vietnam veteran, will speak on behalf of all military veterans. He served in Vietnam during 1968-1970 in the military police and received a Purple Heart for wounds suffered in the conflict.

In addition to Stone, other pastors scheduled to speak will be the Rev. Tom Mattiuzzo of Riverside Tabernacle; the Rev. Arnold Lakes of New Covenant Christian Church, Mt. Morris Township; and the Rev. Harold Britton of Royal Priesthood Ministries, Flint.

The Rev. Don Wiggins, pastor of The Mercy Center, Flint, will be master of ceremonies.

There will be plenty of entertainment and giveaways to attract a crowd, said Stone.

Heading the musical program will be Princess Rouche’ of Savannah, Ga., who will appear with a nine-piece band. Other scheduled singers are Hezekiah Walker of Brooklyn, N.Y.; the Rev. John P. Kee of Charlotte, N.C.; Kirk Franklin of Dallas; and Debra Cobb of Perfecting Ministry, Detroit.

Local talent also will be part of the program, including Jowanne Carrigan of New Covenant Disciples of Christ Church, a rapper who goes by the name of Bro. L.A. and the Power of God Ministries Praise Team directed by Harold Perry, church music minister, who is in charge of the evening’s musical program.

Mark Zaitona, part-owner of Mr. B’s Supermarket, 4311 Dupont St.,, Flint, has promised to give away 50 gift certificates valued at $20 each from the supermarket to go along with several boxes of food from Riverside Tabernacle.

Stone said Baymont Inn & Suites in Mt. Morris Township has offered several rooms for overnight lodging as part of a drawing while Wingate by Wydham Hotel in Mundy Township will provide accommodations for the band.

Stone said 15,000 fliers are being distributed at area businesses to invite people to the military salute. The celebration also is being promoted by local radio stations.

Geyer, 58, said he will urge the New Year’s Eve audience to honor the current war’s vets, unlike the scorn some reined down on Vietnam veterans.

“I am going to make comparisons to the way Vietnam vets were treated coming home,” Geyer said. “I don’t want to see Iraq war vets treated this way.”

Geyer, a former GM worker, is a member of the Patriot Guard, veterans who escort and assist soldiers and provide security at military funerals.