This Sunday, June 24, a very special Veterans Family Fun Day will honor and celebrate military veterans and their families on the grounds of Bethel Assembly of God on Boston Street. Any and all veterans who have served this country in any capacity are welcome and encouraged to bring their families to enjoy this free event, according to Pastor Keith Kelley.

Veterans Family Fun Day is a revised version of the annual Memorial Day Weekend ceremony and appreciation picnic the church has been holding for the past 14 years.

"We used to have a colonel to deliver the sermon, but this year he was unable to make it," said Kelley. "Because of that and because we've found Memorial Day is such a busy weekend for people and their families and even for veterans, we decided to use this opportunity of change to change the venue and we're now having a Veterans Family Fun Day."

With giant inflatable playscapes, face painting, games, snowcones, and candy for kids and live music, hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage and pepper sandwiches, and other picnic favorites for all, the entirely free event is a gift to veterans from the members of Bethel Assembly. Gifts will also be given away to the veterans, generously donated by many businesses in town, said Kelley.

"We hope veterans will bring the grandkids, or veterans of more recent service will bring their kids, and just have a great family day which costs them nothing. We want them to have a day to bring them together where we can honor our veterans and their purpose and their service to this country," said Kelley. "We're trying to bring attention to them and make a tangible effort as a church to honor them and recognize them."

Kelley said it's especially important for all veterans, no matter what their service background, to recognize that they are appreciated.

"They would say of themselves, 'I don't deserve to be honored,' but if you ask them about the person who served right alongside them, they would say, 'Yes, absolutely.' That's the reason they should be honored, as well. Part of their service to their country is to allow people, after they have served, to honor them and to make themselves available for that. It's a significant thing that we as Americans should do, to not only honor veterans but to teach our kids to honor veterans and remember the people who have served our interests. That should not die," said Kelley.

Veterans are welcome to bring their families to enjoy Veterans Family Fun Day on Sunday, June 24 from noon to 3 p.m. at Bethel Assembly, 246 Boston Street (rain or shine). The event is free. For more information, visit

www.guilfordbethel.org.