Retirement Celebration
For Chaplain Earl Carlson
Saturday Morning – May 30
Part One
Those who arrived by 8:00 this morning joined in prayer before beginning the setup, in preparation for the breakfast and celebration.
By 9:00 a.m. a group of fifty people filled the dining room section of the truck stop.
You will notice that the sun was a challenge to me as I tried to take pictures.
Sam Rittenhouse (left), TFC’s Assistant Director of Chaplain Care, organized this event, and was MC. He opened by giving us the schedule for the morning. Chaplain David Smith (right) opened with prayer.
Earl was the center of our attention.
He laughed and cried as people shared memories and songs in his honor.
Earl’s great-granddaughter, daughter-in-law, and son
These grandchildren are the parents of Earl’s great-granddaughter in the previous photo.
More grandchildren and the oldest of his two great-granddaughters.
Those who traveled the fartherest were Chaplain Jim and Dixie Harkless who live in South Carolina, and serve on the chapel in Greensboro, North Carolina. They are on vacation, and heading to Niagara Falls.
Ernie, Helen, and Korney played and sang songs to honor Earl while we ordered our food.
Eunice and John (daughter and son of Sam Rittenhouse) played a few songs while we enjoyed our meal, then opened the program by singing two songs that reminded us of Earl’s dedication and commitment to the gospel.
John’s hammered dulcimer also got the attention of several drivers in surrounding booths.
Craig is a professional country gospel singer and friend of Earl. He chose a song that honored Earl for his faithfulness in sharing the gospel to truckers.
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I will share more photos tomorrow night.