Ohio soldiers receive devotional books prior to deployment

Two hundred and fifteen Ohio soldiers received copies of the Strength for Service to God and Country devotional books during a gathering of troops and their families prior to the troops’ departure for training at Camp Attebury, Ind. and then on to Iraq.

The books were presented by Point Man International Ministries, a 21-year-old organization designed to bring spiritual and emotional healing to veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.

“We prepared for 1,000 guests at dinner and fed nearly 1,500, said Matt Huff, the leader for the Newark, Ohio Point Man Outpost.

The Ohio Veterans Association, Point Man Ministries, local churches and community businesses prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner for the troops during a day in which troops and their families were presented information about the deployment. The troops also received customized lapel pins from Blue Star Mothers and New Testaments from the Gideons.

Russ Clark started Point Man in Columbus, Ohio three years ago and has since established three additional outposts in the state. Clark is a retired United Methodist minister, a retired U.S. Marine who served in Viet Nam (www.pointman-ministries.org).

Julie Petrie (white sweatshirt), hands out a Strength for Service to God and Country book to Specialist Brian Newcomb during a all-day event in which soldiers and their families were briefed on what to expect during their deployment. Petrie is a staff member of Point Man Ministries and a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in Desert Shield.