Days before Veterans Day, Chesapeake Baptist Church gathered veterans, active‑duty military families and community members for a heartfelt service that celebrated sacrifice, gratitude and the Christian call to serve others.
Service Highlights Faith and Patriotism
Senior pastor Matt Nettesheim led two Veterans Sunday services that included special music, a color guard and a flag‑passing ceremony. The events honored those who have defended our freedoms, underscoring the church’s commitment to both faith and country.
Veteran Isabel Martell‑Dixon, who served in the Army from 1979 to 2019, described the service as “very touching.” She recalled deployments to Kuwait, Iraq and participation in Desert Storm. Her husband, Al Dixon, a former Marine who was stationed in Okinawa and near Mount Fuji, echoed her sentiment, saying the recognition meant a great deal to their family.
Personal Testimonies of Service and Sacrifice
Martell‑Dixon emphasized the importance of remembering “common soldiers” and the families left behind. “Never forget us,” she said, highlighting the personal cost of service.
Former Navy hospital corpsman Frank Sgromolo, presented with the flag for his 15 years of service, expressed a mix of pride and sorrow. “A lot of pride for my country, a lot of love for my church, my God, and thankfulness for the freedoms we have here,” he said, adding, “but also a little bit of sadness, as I remember not everybody always comes home.”
Free Thanksgiving Turkeys Extend the Spirit of Giving
In addition to the ceremony, each veteran and active‑duty family received a free Thanksgiving turkey to take home. Martell‑Dixon chose to give her turkey to a family in need, saying, “I have a friend that has more kids than I do. It’s just me and my husband, so I’ll pass it on to a family that’s in need, not us.” Al Dixon added, “Everyone’s not blessed, so we try to help others.”
The gesture reflects the church’s broader mission to care for the community, especially those who have sacrificed for the nation.
Looking Ahead
Church members said they look forward to continuing the Veterans Day tradition next year, reinforcing the ongoing partnership between faith, family and patriotic service in Chesapeake.
Original reporting: WTKR News 3 (Chesapeake section) — read the source article.
