Our Mission

• Provide spiritual and physical assistance to servicemen and women, veterans and their families 

• Facilitate the involvement of veterans in parish and community activities

All veterans are encouraged to register with St. Ann’s Military Support Ministry. This will enable them to receive communications of interest to veterans (VA and Georgia benefits, etc.), meetings and events. Click here to register. 

Contact

Tony Gasper

tandbg@aol.com
678-270-8002

Vietnam War Certificate of Honor

An estimated 234,000 Georgians are Vietnam War veterans. In conjunction with the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War, the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, in partnership with the Office of the Governor, created the Vietnam War Certificate of Honor program for these veterans.

Each certificate is personalized with the veteran’s name, rank, branch of service and dates of service printed over the Seal of the State of Georgia and includes the official U.S. Department of Defense’s Vietnam War Commemorative Partner logo. They are signed by the governor and the GDVS Commissioner. Each eligible veteran is also entitled to receive a Vietnam Veteran lapel pin.

Veterans are eligible for a certificate and lapel pin if they:

•Served between June 1, 1954 to May 15, 1975
•Currently a Georgia resident
•Served in any branch of service
•Served anywhere in the world
•Service in Vietnam is NOT required

Serving still: Ministry goes beyond duty to support military

St. Ann is blessed to have a variety of ministries that provide welcome and aid to our parishioners. One is the Military Support Ministry, whose mission is to provide a Christ-centered community for military personnel, veterans and their families and to support them in their physical and spiritual needs. The ministry is part of the reason the Military Chaplains Association recognizes our parish as a veteran- and military-friendly congregation. 

“It was a privilege to serve my country,” said ministry leader Tony Gasper, “and I continue to serve and to share with others the benefits I received from my military experience.”

The ministry provides support in a variety of ways, including aiding families while service members are deployed and building a network of camaraderie and assistance. Ministry members also participate in veterans’ funerals when requested by the family.

The Military Support Ministry had to put several activities on hold during the pandemic. Covid meant limiting quarterly Atlanta USO visits, honor guards at veteran funerals and visits to a computer lab at the Salvation Army to help veterans find jobs. Still, they have found ways to serve those who have served us all.

“For many [ministry volunteers], I believe it is their way of saying ‘Thank you for your service,’” he said.

All veterans and service members are encouraged to register with the Military Support Ministry to receive aid and information from the Veterans Administration, Georgia Department of Veterans Services and other veteran and military organizations.