Bethany Lutheran Church hosts Fleet Week troops
On June 4, 30 U.S. Navy sailors and marines, from ships on their way to Fleet Week in Portland, arrived at Bethany Lutheran Church, eager to help with the brown-bag lunch program for the homeless.
After a meal served by the women of the church, while the troops helped prepare items for hundreds of future lunches, entertainment was provided by a naval officer and longtime church member who played various piano pieces.
The Astoria Armory building, once used to entertain the troops during World War II, became the site of a hometown welcome to many other sailors and marines. Several volunteers, as well as local businesses such as Oshkosh Aerotech Oregon, Fort George Brewery, Buoy Beer Co. and even local dance studios, donated to help feed and entertain the crews from both American and Canadian ships.
“The troops all seemed to enjoy themselves,” Rev. Rich Carr of Bethany Lutheran Church noted, “as well as demonstrated a level of professionalism that made the civilians in attendance proud to be guarded and supported by these fine men and women.”
