Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 – Members and friends of University Congregational United Church of Christ in Seattle welcomed the soldiers of 5-20 Battle Company back home today after their year of deployment in Afghanistan.
The welcome home was the main part of a service where the church recognized of 30 years of ministry for the Rev. Dr. Jerry Montgomery and his wife, Ruth, who devoted themselves to the soldiers in the Battle Company Project for the past year.
Among the speakers was U.S. Representative Jim McDermott, who told the soldiers about an early moment in his career as a physician when he cared for soldiers after their time in a war zone. The experience with the soldiers changed his life and pointed him into his career in politics where he could do more for them.
The congressman told them they were heroes and, speaking for himself and for the nation, he said: “WELCOME HOME. Thank you for your service!”
Amen.