For most of 2003, the 4th Infantry Division was deployed in Iraq as part of the U.S. Army's Task Force Ironhorse. The division participated in the capture of Saddam Hussein in December of that year and saw many of their comrades killed and wounded in the violence that followed the end of major combat operations. In mid-2003, while the Division was headquartered in Tikrit (Saddam's hometown), Command Sgt. Major Charles Fuss, the division's top noncommissioned officer, headed up a project to commemorate the unit's dead and conceived of a memorial featuring the figure of a forlorn soldier kneeling to mourn before an empty helmet, boots, and rifle -- an array of objects that traditionally represents a fallen compatriot. To finance the project, Sgt. Maj. Fuss publicized it in the task force's internal newspaper and asked officers to get soldiers to contribute $1 each. Within weeks, he raised $30,000.
Needing a sculptor to carry out Sgt. Maj. Fuss's vision, an Iraqi contractor recommended a 27-year old artist named Kahalid Alussy. Mr. Alussy's price was far higher than the officers expected due to the high price of bronze. So in July 2003, Army engineers blew up twin bronze Hussein-on-horseback statues, cut them into pieces, melted them down, and delivered them to Mr. Alussy's house. Since the bronze was provided by the division, Mr. Alussy agreed to do the sculpture for $8,000. As the work neared completion, Sgt. Maj. Fuss and the division commander, Maj. Gen. Ray Odierno, decided it needed a clearer connection to Iraq. The general suggested adding a small child to symbolize Iraq's new future. Mr. Alussy asked $10,000 to add another statue.
After four month's worth of night and weekend labor, Mr. Alussy completed his assignment and the statues were installed in an entranceway inside the 4th Infantry Division's headquarters in Tikrit. In February 2004, the statues were flown to the 4th Infantry Division Museum at the unit's home base of Fort Hood, Texas.Courtesy of Snopes.com
Meals on
Wheels
Meals
on Wheels service is provided by First United Methodist during
the months of November and March. This program is run in conjunction
with the Artesia Medical Center. Volunteer drivers are always
welcome.
Benevolence
Fund
A few
years ago, First United Methodist Church established a "Benevolence
Fund" to help people in the community who may encounter a
specific emergency situation -- such as the need to buy gasoline
for a car, pay a utility bill, or perhaps pay for a needed prescription.
A voucher system has been set up that involves the cooperation
of some of the local businesses and eliminates the need for cash
on hand. This fund is solely supported by gifts from church members.
To date, approximately 100 individuals have been served using
nearly $3000 from the Benevolence Fund. An individual may obtain
help by coming to the church or by calling the church office and
talking to any staff member.
Food Pantry
First
United Methodist Church maintains a food pantry to serve individuals
that need basic groceries on an emergency basis. This help is
not meant for long-term help. The groceries are provided by members
of the church that give either groceries or money to be used for
the purchase of groceries. Individuals who need help may come
to the church office during regular office hours and a staff member
will help them. Last month, seventy-eight bags of groceries were
given away to those in need.
Bereavement Assistance
First United Methodist Church provides Bereavement Assistance
to its church members. The Bereavement Assistance usually is a
meal provided to the bereaved and their family members. The meal
is usually provided at the church in either fellowship hall or
the parlor. However, on occasion, the meal may be provided in
a private home, depending on the wish of the family. Any woman
of the church may serve on a bereavement team which provides the
food for these dinners. The bereavement teams rotate so that any
woman who wishes may have an opportunity to serve.
Hospital Visits
From time to time our
church members become ill and require hospitalization. The pastoral
staff are always glad to make visits to such persons in our local
or area hospitals. Please assist us by contacting the church office
as soon as you know that you or your family member are going to
enter the hospital or, if your removal to such a care center occurs
swiftly, please call the church office while you are there. The
pastor will come to see you as soon as is practicable. Additionally
we will inform other lay members who enjoy visiting hospitalized
persons. If the patient is in a distant hospital, such as Lubbock
or Albuquerque, we may contact a local United Methodist pastor
to come and visit you in that location. We will also, at your
request, place your name on our prayer list for four weeks. We
are the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to pray for your wellness
and to encourage you with our presence.
The beautiful
stained glass window, through which you entered our website, is
the focal point of our sanctuary. Dedicated June 14, 1980, the
window features vivid colors symbolizing the Holy Trinity. To
experience the sun shining through it's jewel-colored glass, is
to know that you are truly in the House of God.