This year marks the 100-year anniversary of when the Marietta Community House, 264 W. Market St., was given to the people of Marietta by the Hiestand family in 1919 in honor of their son, Lt. Benjamin Hiestand, and other World War I veterans. Hiestand died while serving during World War I. To honor the centennial and to thank all Marietta-area veterans, the board of directors at the Marietta Community House has planned a special day of events on Sunday, Nov. 10.
All are invited to attend a church service at 10 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 239 E. Market St., Marietta. Bradley Mattson, postulant for Holy Orders and a local veteran, will speak at the service. Afterward, a free luncheon will be served at the church.
The annual Veterans Day memorial service and brick dedication ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. inside The Studio, located at the rear of the Marietta Community House. Marietta Borough Mayor Harold Kulman will provide a welcome, and the service will feature an invocation by the Rev. James Anderson of St. John's Lutheran Church in Maytown, as well as a benediction by Dave Shireman, chaplain of American Legion Post 466, and a veterans' prayer led by Charles Shireman, commander of the American Legion Post 466.
Sgt. 1st Class Sean Sullivan, a Marietta native who returned in October from serving in Afghanistan, will talk about patriotism and his experiences in the military.
A booklet published in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Marietta Community House and in honor of Marietta military veterans will be available to purchase. Marietta natives and sisters Lauralee Baker, Karen Baker Sullivan, and Lyn Baker Alarie created the publication, which features a brief description of three Marietta veterans organizations, as well as lists of the Marietta veterans and enlistees who served at times of conflict and peace.
Anderson will also provide a blessing of the bricks. The brick walkway at the Community House features bricks engraved in memory of departed loved ones or in honor of living family members. Funds raised from the sale of bricks have been used to repair and maintain the historic Community House. Orders may still be placed for bricks to be added in 2020. For more information, interested individuals may call 717-426-4317 or visit http://www.mariettacommunityhouse.org.
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