By Nick Nunn
Staff Writer

Centennial Baptist Church held a Veteran’s Day worship ceremony last Sunday, featuring guest speaker Congressman Paul C. Broun, MD.
The service began with the playing of Reveille by Savannah Martin on trumpet and a welcome by Gene West.
Gary McCullough, who began the recognition of the veterans from all wars and conflicts, urged that the attendees not, “let politics get in the way,” of Veteran’s Day.
After the posting of the American flag, the Christian flag and the service flags representing the branches of the military, Cadet Major C.J. Savard presented a rifle spinning routine, which has won him awards in several competitions.
The congregation sang the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” as the offertory hymn, which was followed by a reenactment of the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima.
Congressman Broun’s speech centered on the theme of liberty and how the founding fathers differentiated liberty from freedom.
“You hear people today talk about freedom,” began Broun, “but our founding fathers talked about liberty.”
“Freedom is not what we are all about in the military or here in this country. Absolute freedom leads to anarchy. It leads to chaos.”
“Liberty, in my definition, is this: liberty is freedom bridled by morality,” continued Broun.
“Our founding fathers believed in liberty. Our founding fathers believed that liberty comes from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Broun explained that, while researching the founding documents of the nation (the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution) and written elucidations of these documents by the founding fathers, he learned that the architects of the nation, including Thomas Jefferson, believed that liberty is a “gift of God.”
Broun also gave his opinion of the Constitution.
“You hear all the time that the Constitution is a living and breathing document that evolved over time. It is not. Our founding fathers did not mean it to be a living document.”
Broun stated that he sees America in a culture war, which is eroding the moral foundation of the nation.
“If we don’t have a proper, fundamental moral background, we will finally end up with a totalitarian government.”
According to Broun, the answer to the problem facing the nation in this respect can be found in the Bible.
“What I found as a doctor and as a scientist is that [the Bible] is true. This book is the literal, normative, historical word of God that was inspired and written by the Holy Spirit as penned by man.”
“Only true freedom comes from a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Moving back to the theme of Veteran’s Day, Broun reminded the congregation, “I encourage you to read the Constitution and read what our founding fathers said about it. That is the only way we are going to preserve liberty. That is the only way that the veterans that have put on a uniform really will be honored.”
The service ended with a call to invitation by Pastor John Darsey and a closing prayer by Dennis Walters.
After the service, Centennial Baptist provided a meal for the Veterans and their families in attendance.

Printed in the November 15, 2012 edition