Veterans to Be Honored at Sugar Creek Baptist Church’s


God and Country Day Ceremony

Jerry Floyd, Navy; Phil Linebaugh, Air Force; Kim Linebaugh, Air Force; Timothy Taite, Army; Jeff Young, Army; Jessica Benson, Coast Guard; Todd Taylor, Marines and Tom Stewart, Army.

Jerry Floyd, Navy; Phil Linebaugh, Air Force; Kim Linebaugh, Air Force; Timothy Taite, Army; Jeff Young, Army; Jessica Benson, Coast Guard; Todd Taylor, Marines and Tom Stewart, Army.

By Nicole Witt-

On the 4th of July, we cannot help but feel patriotic as we are reminded of how truly blessed we are to live in such an amazing and free country as the United States of America. One group of people who understand this feeling are the members of Sugar Creek Baptist Church. Each year in July, Sugar Creek Baptist Church hosts God and Country Day, where they celebrate America’s freedom with a special Sunday morning ceremony.

The ceremony is a time to recognize God’s blessings on our country. It is also a time to honor the men and women who have sacrificed so much so that we may experience this freedom. This year’s ceremony takes place Sunday, July 3rd.

On the morning of God and Country Day, patriotic sounds fill the air as the orchestra plays traditional hymns and patriotic songs sung by a choir of over 100 members. After the presentation of colors, the congregation recites the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a chorus of the Star Spangled Banner. Local veterans of all branches of services, past and present, are honored for their service and sacrifice. The service concludes with a dynamic and timeless message from Lead Pastor Mark Hartman focused on celebrating America’s freedom, God’s blessings on our nation and our spiritual heritage.

One member of Sugar Creek in particular is an expert and advocate when it comes to God and Country Day. Tom Stuart, a Korean War veteran, has lived in Sugar Land for nearly 40 years and has been attending Sugar Creek Baptist Church since the early 90s. Stuart was heavily involved in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) while attending the University of Houston. Upon graduating college, Stuart was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant of the United States Army and called to service in Korea, where he spent 16 months. Once in Korea, Stuart was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and then a company commander, where he was in charge of a company responsible for supplying ammunition to infantry.

Stuart, like many others, has been involved in God and Country Day at Sugar Creek Baptist Church for many years. He even still wears his original issued uniform to the ceremony! When asked about putting his uniform on each year, Stuart said, “It’s a little hard to breathe with it on, but it’s definitely worth it!” Stuart feels a great deal of pride to be honored by his church every year for his service in the Korean War but truly believes that he was only doing his duty. “It is a privilege to be able to serve our country,” he said.

God and Country Day will be held at Sugar Creek Baptist Church on Sunday, July 3rd, and everyone in the Sugar Land and Fort Bend County area is welcome to attend one of the five ceremonies: 8:15, 9:30 or 11 am ceremonies in English at the Sugar Land Campus, located at 13333 Southwest Freeway, a Spanish ceremony at 12:35 pm at the Sugar Land Campus or a 10 am ceremony at the Sienna Campus. The Sienna Campus meets in the Ridge Point High School auditorium, located at 500 Waters Lake Boulevard in Missouri City.

For more information about God and Country Day or Sugar Creek Baptist Church, visit sugarcreek.net.