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JANUARY 15, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXV • NO 49
wellness
Vietnam War veterans share firsthand accounts BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Thanks to a unique partnership with a local veterans group, students at several Lancaster County high schools can get a firsthand account of the Vietnam War. A panel of veterans, organized by Vietnam Veterans of America ( V VA) C hapter 1008, provides students with an immersive experience, offering insights that go beyond what they read in history books. The panel, which has been visiting local schools for nearly a decade, includes veterans from
the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, each of whom share their unique perspectives. Education chair John Hoober, who organizes the visits, explained that the veterans’ goal is not to teach a traditional history lesson but to engage students with personal stories. “What do these kids want to know about the Vietnam War and the Vietnam era? Almost all of their questions lead to our personal experiences,” he said. The panel is composed of diverse veterans with varying roles in the conflict. Some were boots on the ground, in the midst See Veterans pg 8
Unto provides humanitarian relief to people around the world.
Delivering hope worldwide BY CATHY MOLITORIS
hope,” Carpintero said. Although the name “Unto” is an abstract name, it has a purpose, she said, adding, “The name Unto also serves as a powerful symbol of the organization’s dual commitment to go unto the ‘least of these’ and to carry out Jesus’ command to go unto all nations with the message of His eternal hope.” The Mount Joy facility, which the organization calls its Global Logistics Center (GLC), serves as a central logistics hub. “The Unto GLC is where we prepare and pack the aid that is given by the people in the area through donations to Unto,” Carpintero commented. “The center is staffed by dedicated employees and volunteers who work throughout the week to ensure essential supplies such as food, medical aid and critical resources are packed and shipped to communities in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.”
A panel of Vietnam War veterans addresses students at a previous year’s presentation.
The story of Stan BY ANN MEAD ASH
The influence that the late Stan Deen had on New Holland - as a teacher, a director, and a member of the community - is well known. Stan, who passed away in July of 2016, founded Garden Spot Performing Arts (GSPA), the Garden Spot High School (GSHS) auditorium is named for him, and, according to Mike Ressler, chair of the New Holland Area Historical Society (NHAHS) board of trustees, “Everybody (who knew him) has a Stan Deen story.” However, it was a chance meeting between NHAHS founder
See Hope pg 6
Steve Loewen and Nate Deen, who was taken in by Stan as a GSHS student and on whose life with Stan the soon-to-bereleased film “Brave the Dark” is based, that has resulted in an exhibit called “The Remarkable Mr. Deen.” The display will take up the main room of the NHAHS Museum, 207 E. Main St., New Holland. No end date has been set for the exhibit. Nate and Loewen were both at a movie at Penn Cinema in early 2024. Their short conversation in the lobby led to lunch and to Nate visiting a car show Loewen organized in mid-July - bringing along the See Stan pg 3
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n a building on a back road in Mount Joy, global change is underway. Unto, an international humanitarian organization, operates its largest distribution center and warehouse near the small town, making a positive impact on people around the world. “Unto is an organization committed to addressing the physical needs of people living in some of the world’s toughest places, but our mission goes beyond just providing aid,” said Katie Carpintero, communications and marketing director for Unto. “We also aim to reach those who have never heard the message of Jesus, offering not only help for today but also sharing hope in Him for eternity.” Unto was founded in 1992. The organization began as Josh McDowell Ministry’s Operation CareLift with a focus on meeting
the physical and spiritual needs of people living in the former Soviet Union. “As the ministry grew, it became known independently as GAiN (Global Aid Network) in 2003,” Carpintero explained. “In 2020, the United States branch of GAiN was rebranded as Unto.” Unto is the humanitarian ministry of Cru, the name in the United States for Campus Crusade for Christ, a global Christian organization. “Our mission is to demonstrate the kindness of Jesus by relieving suffering, restoring dignity and revealing hope through humanitarian action,” Carpintero stated. “We accomplish our mission through three main programs: Food and Agriculture, Clean Water and Critical Aid.” Unto serves people in more than 50 countries. “Our partners at Cru work in more than 190 countries, which allows us to reach more people and places with help and