Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/394678
retirementS >> Lt. Colonels Chung retire COMMISSIONER CAROL A. BASSETT Majors Emmons retire MAJOR ED FORSTER A well–deserved retirement service and luncheon for Lt. Colonels Carolynne J. and Edmund L. Chung was held in the Crestview Conference Center in West Nyack, N.Y., September 8, 2014, as an intimate gathering of family and friends. Commissioner Barry C. Swan- son, territorial commander, presented individual retirement certificates to the Chungs and said, "The Chungs were always willing to serve and to share their desire to bring Christ to the world." Following the certificate presentation, Commissioner E. Sue Swanson, territorial president for women's ministries, offered a prayer that expressed gratitude to God for the Chungs and for His continued blessing upon their lives. Family members were an integral part of the celebration. God blessed Car- olynne and Ed with two daughters, each with their own gifts—nursing (Kim) and music (Sherri). Kim coordinated the retire- ment festivities and Sherri delighted the audience with a special song, which she composed and wrote for the occasion. Ed's brother, Melvyn Chung, and Carolynne's brother, Gary Wiseman, read selected scriptures. In a response titled, "From New York City and Vancouver, Canada, to the World," Carolynne asked, "Who but God could have led two young people—Ed from New York City of Chinese–American heritage, and Carolynne of Vancouver, Canada, and of British, Scottish, and South African heritage —and brought us together in Suffern, N.Y., at the College for Officer Training?" She continued, "Who, but God, could call Ed, a first–generation Salvation- ist from Manhattan Citadel, to a life of officership! Who but God could call Carolynne, a third–generation Salvationist, a teacher in Canada, to Lexington, KY, and on to officership!" The Chungs were commissioned in the "Overcomers" session and served in a variety of appointments in various parts of the world. In each appointment (corps officers, divisional, territorial, and na- tional headquarters in the United States and in the United Kingdom Territory with Republic of Ireland and at International Headquarters), they were faithful in serv- ing the Lord. A fter 91 years of combined service as Salvation Army officers, Majors Chester O. and Joyce E. Emmons retired on August 15, 2014. At a celebra- tion honoring them, Commissioners Barry C. and E. Sue Swanson, territorial leaders, presented individual certificates of retire- ment. Titled "There's Only One Flag For Us," the celebration held in Nyack, N.Y., centered on their complete devotion to Christ and to the Army. The Emmonses served for 17 years in Central and South America. In Costa Rica, they opened an addiction rehabili- tation center. In Chile, they served as di- visional leaders and at the South America West territorial headquarters (THQ). The Emmonses' 30 years of service in the Eastern Territory included several corps appointments in N.Y., (Massena, Oneida, Plattsburgh, and Elmira), and in Columbus, Ohio, and Portsmouth, N.H. They concluded their service at the USA Eastern Territory THQ in the Mis- sion & Culture Department with Major Chet serving as director of Hispanic min- istries, and Major Joy serving as assistant to the Hispanic ministries consultant. In 1970, Joy Clark entered the "Un- daunted" session from the Concord, New Hampshire, Corps. Chet entered training in 1967 from the Sanford, Maine, Corps as part of the "Evangelists" session. They were married shortly after training. People attending the celebration came from as far away as Central and South America. Two of their four children trav- eled from Chile and from China. Reverend Anthony Marciano, who led the event, invited people to share remembrances. Major Ron Lugiano, ter- ritorial trade secretary, played a medley of flag songs on piano. Carl, a son of the Emmonses, and his 7–year–old niece, Aubree, performed a duet on guitar and on violin. Carl also sang a tribute he had written. Also attending were four grandchildren, an adopted daughter, and a godson. "Advance" was the title of Major Joy's response. "Gone Fishin" was Major Chet's title. Although he spoke of relaxing at his beloved family home in Belgrade Lakes, Maine, still apparent is his aim to be a "fisher of men." Major Ed Forster represented the of- ficers. "Spiritual Kinship," how strangers can become a family through the love of Christ, was his heartfelt message. In closing, the audience sung, "God loves you, and I love you, and that's the way it should be." 14 October 2014