Shenandoah Christian Alliance gives out well deserved acknowledgements

Several well-deserved awards were given out at this week’s Shenandoah Christian Alliance weekly breakfast meeting at the Front Royal Quality Inn.

The SCA awarded two “Defender of the Faith” Awards which are intended to recognize pastors, legislators, business leaders and outstanding individuals (mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers) that have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the Biblical principles that this country was founded on and helping bring God back to the center of our daily activities in our (government, schools, courts, families and especially churches).

First on the list was our own Mike McCool, the owner of National Media Services, Inc., and publisher of this online newspaper (Royal Examiner). Mike has been a mainstay in Front Royal in attempting to be a source of information for many of us who have an invested interest in what’s happening in our community (our schools, our government and our culture) but do not have the time or the ability to stay on top of a rapidly changing and growing community. At the same time, he offers graphic design, recording, copying and printing services… a well-earned award.

Next to receive the “Defender of the Faith” Award was Bishop Larry Johnson. Larry needs no introduction to many of our townspeople who have come to know him through his Colonial era persona “Abel Johnston… the “t” in Johnston was dropped over succeeding decades and the 5th generation version is now Johnson.

Larry is the quintessential story teller of the lives and actions of the heroes that fought for the freedom and liberty that has been the trademark of this country of more than 240 years.

As part of the wording on his award states: “And Further, for his unmatched ability to recount the times, actions and thoughts of our forefathers in speech and period dress that instantly and magically transports the listener back over 240 years to a time when this Representative Republic was being founded”. Larry is a constant voice for the heritage we’ve received and his fondest desire is to see that our children and future generations are not deprived of learning about our amazing forefathers (and mothers) and the values that under-girded their motivation and actions.

Larry’s focus, determination and actions represent the very heart of the Shenandoah Christian Alliance.

Dale Carpenter said that they have awards in the making for two of our elected state representatives and we hope to be able to make those awards in Richmond this coming week.

Also attending the meeting was Dale Corey, President of the James Wood Chapter of The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). Dale is the leader of one of the top SAR Chapters in the Commonwealth and perhaps the Eastern United States.

Dale Carpenter presented the “Outstanding Citizenship” award to two of their members (Mark Quimby and Kelly O’Neil) for their participation in the overwhelmingly successful “Colonial Dinner” held Dec 19th at the historic Wayside Inn to commemorate and honor the anniversary of the movement of George Washington and the Continental Army into Valley Forge that bitter winter in 1777.

Both Mark and Kelly have been an integral part of the ability of SCA to help bring awareness to our community of those Judeo/Christian values that were bedrock for our founders and which seem to be slipping away today in so much of our culture.

Royal Examiner’s camera was there for the award ceremony: