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Powys County Times
2 days ago
- General
- Powys County Times
Powys town to hold events for VJ Day 80th anniversary
Llanfyllin is holding a day of commemorations later this week to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day which marked the end of World War Two. Llanfyllin Town Council is holding a day of remembrance on Friday, August 15. The commemoration will involve a series of events throughout the day, from wreath laying to a war memorabilia exhibition and a beacon lighting ceremony. The wreath laying ceremony, planned to be held at the town's war memorial at 10.45am, will be led by Rev Hermoine Morris with representatives from the Royal British Legion, local organisations, veterans and dignitaries. Llanfyllin Public Institute will then be hosting a war memorabilia exhibition from 1pm, inviting people to explore local wartime exhibits. Finally, at 8.20pm, a beacon lighting ceremony will take place at Cae Bodfach community field. The ceremony will include words from Llanfyllin mayor Cllr Andrew Griffin, before lighting the beacon in what the council says will be a 'symbol of hope, unit and remembrance'. A spokesperson for the council said: 'Join us in a day of remembrance, reflection and community as we commemorate Victory over Japan Day, honouring those who served and sacrificed in the Far East during World War Two. 'Let's come together as a community to mark this important national moment.' Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the Oswestry Advertizer website Advert-light access Reader rewards Earlier this year, Llanfyllin held a similar variety of commemorations to mark 80 years since VE Day, when Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945, bringing the war to an end in Europe. VJ Day marks the day Imperial Japan surrendered in 1945, effectively ending the war worldwide just days after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the country, killing between 150,000 and 246,000 civilians. Days after the bombings, the Japanese government communicated its intention to surrender under the terms of the Potsdam Declaration, with Emperor Hirohito making the announcement over radio to the Japanese people. In the UK, VJ Day is recognised as August 15, the day of the surrender announcement, while in the US it is September 2, the day the surrender document was signed on board the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Chicago church seeks help replacing ‘collapsing, deteriorating' roof
CHICAGO (WGN) — An Austin neighborhood church that's fed the homeless and seniors, offered disaster relief assistance, and that has paid the rent of struggling Chicagoans is now hoping the community will come through as it faces a critical infrastructure challenge. The aging roof at New Inspirational Baptist Church, on the 5800 block of West Division Street, has exceeded its lifespan and is beyond temporary repairs, the church says. 'I never thought that I would become in the need,' Rev. Andrew Griffin, the church's founding and sole pastor of more than 40 years, told WGN on Wednesday. Griffin said contractors have done all they can with patchwork fixes on the structure, but it's 'getting worse, collapsing, deteriorating our fire walls,' he said. A contractor working with the church confirmed to WGN the total cost to replace the roof would be at least $55,000. 'I want to be there, I want to be able to open our doors, especially for the needy,' Griffin said. The church for decades has offered spiritual guidance, financial assistance and emotional counseling to those in need. It has also served as a longtime polling location. Area pastors are rallying around the church in hopes of helping raise the money it needs to continue its mission. 'Pastor Griffin has been a rock for this community, helping people in ways that go far beyond the pulpit,' said Rev. Johnny L. Miller of Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Rev. Ira Acree, the founder of the Leaders Network and a social justice advocate said Griffin has helped 'thousands' of people. 'It's ministers like Reverand Andrew Griffin that many people don't see their names in the headlines or on television or the newspaper, but it's ministers like this that are saving our community,' Acree said. 'He doesn't have a mega church, but he has made a mega impact. This man has helped hundreds, maybe thousands.' After a 2023 tornado left behind a trail of destruction in Mississippi, church leaders along with the community rallied to respond, hauling several trucks packed with supplies to help survivors with food, water and other necessities. Griffin, his wife, and other members of the church went down to Rolling Fork to help hand deliver the supplies. 'It's not always about preaching the gospel with words, but living it with your walk, like he's lived it out in the Austin community for 40 to 45 years easily,' Acree said. The church at the corner of West Division Street and North Monitor Avenue has been a space for youth to find mentorship and guidance over the years, area pastors said. 'He put a lot of interest in the young people in this neighborhood, gave a lot of young people jobs, trained a lot of young people, gave them feeding for a new life,' said Rev. Freddie Brooks with Union Star Missionary Baptist Church. Even with a slower stride after a spinal surgery, Griffin said he's putting one foot in front of the other as they navigate what comes next. 'My faith is in God, and I believe that god has already provided a way,' he said. Donations to help the church continue its mission can be made in-person during the church's operating hours or via checks made payable to New Inspirational Baptist Church at 5825 W. Division Street in Chicago, 60651. An online fundraiser has also been established. The church said its membership has declined since the pandemic, leaving them unable to raise the funds among the congregation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
