PHOTOS: Fr. Nicholas Reid Promotion Ceremony to Air Force Major

Father Nicholas Reid, pastor of St. Martin Parish in St. Martins and St. Michael Parish in Russellville and a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force, renews his Oath of Allegiance and receives the pins designating his promotion to the rank of Major during a ceremony at St. Martin School. Parishioners, friends, fellow priests and deacons and the students and faculty of St. Martin School attended. Bishop Ralph B. O’Donnell gave an invocation. Cole County Associate Circuit Judge Joseph Shetler, a longtime friend of Fr. Reid’s, administered the oath. Bishop O’Donnell and Father Stephen Jones V.G., vicar general of the diocese, ceremonially placed the new pins on his uniform. Members of VFW Post 35 in St. Martins served as the honor guard. Students sang “The Star Spangled Banner” and presented “God Bless America” in song and Sign Language. Fr. Reid thanked everyone and reminded the children that following God’s vocation for them can lead them to places and experiences they’ve never dreamed about. (64 photos)