Special Veterans Day Worship Service Set for November 14, 2026, in Surprise, Arizona
 Pastor Bill and Cheryl Lindeman (Photo: AI Enhanced) |
 Captain Alfred H. “Fred” Spruell, Jr., USN (Ret.) (Photo: AI Enhanced) |
 Chaplain (Major) James F. Linzey, USA (Ret.)First Conductor, US Army Soldiers Choir, Fort Lee, Virginia (1998) |
 Commander Manuel A. “Don” Biadog, Jr., CHC, USN (Ret.)Recipient, Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, 2004 |
NEWS PROVIDED BY
Commander Manuel A. “Don” Biadog, Jr., CHC, USN (Ret.)
Nov. 11, 2026
SURPRISE, Az., Nov. 11, 2026 /Standard Newswire/ — For decades, American churches have faced a significant challenge when honoring the nation’s military services in Christian worship: distinguishing traditional military marches and service songs from sacred hymns of prayer and praise to Almighty God. On Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 10:45 AM, Clearview Seventh-Day Adventist Church will present a musical response to this longstanding concern with the debut of the “Six Military Hymns Medley,” featuring sacred military hymns composed or selected by Chaplain (Major) James F. Linzey, USA (Ret.).
Traditional military service songs and marches have an honored place in American military history, celebrating courage, sacrifice, patriotism, and the achievements of the armed forces. However, their purpose differs fundamentally from that of sacred hymns, which direct worship, thanksgiving, and prayer to Almighty God. Chaplain Linzey maintains that music presented as Christian worship should distinguish between honoring military service and offering praise to the Creator. His compositions provide congregations with sacred alternatives that preserve this important distinction while honoring the men and women who have served their country.
As the first conductor of the United States Army Soldiers’ Choir at Fort Lee, Virginia, Chaplain Linzey has devoted considerable attention to the role of sacred music in military worship. His four compositions—the Space Force Hymn (“Creator of the Universe”), the Army Hymn (“Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer”), the Marine Corps Hymn (“Serving for Thee”), and the Coast Guard Hymn (“Ruler of Land and Sea”)—provide worship-centered expressions of prayer and thanksgiving for these military branches. The presentation will also include the previously existing Navy Hymn (“Eternal Father, Strong to Save”) and Air Force Hymn (“Lord, Guard and Guide the Men Who Fly”). Together, these six hymns offer a musical tribute that honors America’s armed forces while directing praise, prayer, and thanksgiving to Almighty God.
The keynote speaker is none other than Captain Alfred H. “Fred” Spruell, Jr., USN (Ret.), a highly sought-after speaker for civic events and veterans’ organizations throughout America. Captain Spruell will share memorable experiences from his distinguished naval service, along with an inspiring message from the Word of God.
The public is cordially invited to this special Veterans Day Commemoration Service, featuring praise and thanksgiving to God, prayers honoring our nation’s veterans, special music, Captain Spruell’s keynote address, and dinner.
The commemoration will be held at 19554 N. Papago Drive, Surprise, Arizona 85374.
Event Details & High-Level Leadership:
• Keynote Speaker: Captain Fred Spruell, US Navy (Ret.), a highly decorated retired United States Captain and veteran and featured speaker across the nation.
• Musical & Service Direction: Michael Hales, Coordinator of the Service.
• Ecclesiastical Oversight: Rev. Bill Lindeman, Pastor of Clearview Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Following the formal sanctuary service, which will be entirely presented to honor veterans, a complimentary dinner will be provided to all attendees. Coordinated by Marilynn Stable, the menu directly honors the requested “first meals back home” expressed by veterans: a refined vegetarian spread of macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, coleslaw, green bean casserole, vegetarian meatloaf, and an assortment of pies and cakes. A special PowerPoint presentation titled “The Rest of the Story” will accompany the meal, detailing the true histories servicemen and women.
For those unable to attend the sanctuary in person, the service will be strictly broadcast via live stream and archived for posterity on the church’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@clearviewsdaproductions5371.
About the Author
Commander Don Biadog, CHC, USN (Ret.), was awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 for exceptional humanitarian service in New York on September 11, 2001, and humanitarian service to the destitute throughout the Far East. For his outstanding chaplaincy service as the Command Chaplain of MCAS Miramar, former home of TOPGUN, he received the annual “Outstanding Chaplain of the Year” Award in 2019 from the Military Bible Association.
Media Contacts:
• Pastor Bill Lindeman: 734-552-6161
• Official Church Web Portal: https://clearviewsdachurch.org/
SOURCE Commander Manuel A. “Don” Biadog, Jr., CHC, USN (Ret.)