Army chaplain guest speaker at South Point church

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, November 14, 2007

SOUTH POINT — He serves both God and country.

On Veterans Day, he will visit an area church to talk about his love for both.

Major Claude A. Crisp, a U.S. Army chaplain, will be the guest speaker at the South Point Church of the Nazarene. He said the special service is a way for the church to honor veterans and for veterans to worship.

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“Sometimes we leave it to the organizations to honor veterans and they do great things, but the church needs to do this as well,” Crisp said. “Regilious freedom is one of the things veterans have fought and died for.”

An ordained Nazarene minister, Crisp comes from a family of patriotic Americans. Both of his parents were World War II veterans. His father, Hollie, survived the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He said because of this, he grew up with a real appreciation for the military and veterans.

Crisp was invited to speak by the church’s associate pastor, the Rev. Robert Hale. The two men have known each other several years.

Crisp, 48, is a native of Martin County, Ky. He entered military service in 1993. His duties have taken him to Germany and to Afghanistan. He is now stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C.

The church worship begins at 10 a.m. All veterans who attend will be honored, Hale said.

Crisp will also speak today at Russell High School in Russell, Ky.