Brethren in Service to the World
A 50th Anniversary Compilation Names of Persons in BVS and CPS
Bridgewater Church of the Brethren
Bridgewater, Virginia
This booklet was compiled by the BVS Committee of the Bridgewater, Virginia, Church of the Brethren to help commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Brethren Volunteer Service. Members of the committee are Carson Kiracofe, Dean Neher, and Don Remnant.
Many people helped bring this booklet to fruition. First of all, we express heartfelt appreciation to all persons who so good-naturedly returned yet another questionnaire. We want to recognize Clarence Quay who wrote the article on Civilian Public Service, and Don Remnant who excerpted the article on BVS. Our thanks also goes to Hazel Peters of On Earth Peace Assembly who provided addresses and other missing information. Lastly we want to recognize Shannon Puffenbarger, Administrative Secretary at the church, who so cheerfully located information, helped us meet our deadlines and provided much of the clerical work.
Don Remnant designed the booklet cover and Dean Neher compiled the information.
A serious attempt was made to make the information as accurate as possible. Unfortunately there are doubtless some errors and omissions. We apologize in advance for these and would appreciate learning about them.
-- BVS Committee members
Contents - Click to go directly to each section
I. A History of Brethren Volunteer Service
II. Why Civilian Public Service?
III. Alphabetical Listing of Participants
A - B - C - D - E - F - G H - J - K - L - M - N - Q - R - T - S - T - U - V - W - YIV. BVS Statement of Purpose -- July 1948
V. Current members of the Bridgewater congregation who were in BVS
VI. Current members of the Bridgewater congregation who were in CPS
VII. Persons who entered BVS while members of the Bridgewater congregation
VIII. Persons who entered CPS while members of the Bridgewater congregation
A History of Brethren Volunteer Service
(adapted by Don Remnant from Living the Story, 50 Years of Brethren
Volunteer Service, by James H. Lehman, 1948)
Colorado Springs, Colorado Annual Conference, June 15-20, 1948. CPS had recently been disbanded. Youth continued their interest in volunteer service with a motion to establish a volunteer program for young people. No opposition was recorded.
By July 1948, a volunteerism planning committee was established, developing a statement of purpose (see page 40).
Training was considered an important part of volunteering, with emphasis on serving human need and the cause of peace as well as on the development of church leadership and personal growth for the volunteers.
By September, the first training unit was ready to begin - three months of training at New Windsor included 1/2 of each day sorting and bailing clothing for overseas relief, with the rest of the day spent in lectures, discussions, Bible study, worship and small group experiences - a pattern which would last for 20 years.
Projects in the first ten years included community service, medical assistance, material aid, overseas relief and refugee work, and home missions.
In the fifties training was reduced to two months and a week of practice project was added in the middle.
In 1952, BVS was approved for alternative service placement, and during the Viet Nam era more than half of all volunteers were doing their alternative service through BVS. Many of these were from different denominations. In the sixties, there was an increase of projects at retirement homes, child care programs, and inner cities, as well as placements in the National Institutes of Health as research subjects. In 1968, BVS began accepting conscientious objectors from the Federal Republic of Germany. Training took volunteers off the New Windsor campus to seek someone in the community to work for a day.
Projects in the seventies became more complex as the skills and experience of the volunteer were greater. Projects of community organization, native American projects, and expanded inner city work - projects that focused on social justice - became more common. Units were no longer stationed at New Windsor, but became mobile units, moving in the BVS bus to different locations for each week of training. Training was reduced to one month since volunteers no longer spent half of each day packing clothes, but this also meant that they would have to cook their own meals. Mobile units permitted more visibility in churches around the country and allowed for guest leaders from different locations.
Post-30 units were begun in 1973 and lasted for a few years.
From Discipleship units of 1975-76, a BVS Peace Team was begun, with four volunteers traveling to various Brethren summer camps. This has changed form but continues to the present.
In 1976, the first Brethren Revival Fellowship BVS unit was established with training by and project supervision by BRF leaders.
Projects had more emphasis on community organization and social action. More overseas projects in Europe, Africa, Central America, and Southeast Asia opened up.
In the eighties the median age of volunteers was higher, with more college educated volunteers. Issues of peace and justice and environmental issues influenced project development. Shelters for battered women and children were added to the project options.
By 1984, orientation was reduced to three weeks and units ceased to be mobile, remaining in one location, but with the location varying from one unit to the next. The number of other- denomination and other-country volunteers increased.
Since the early 1980Õs, BVS has increasingly sent volunteers into trouble spots across the world - Northern Ireland, the Middle East, Bosnia, Central America - allowing volunteers to put into practice the Brethren ideas of nonviolence and peacemaking.
In the 1990Õs volunteers began doing hospice work in programs to help people with AIDS. As government welfare programs diminished, more work was available in homeless shelters and soup kitchens.
In fifty years of BVS, 5,376 volunteers have been placed in projects around the globe. Relationships have been built across barriers of religion, race, language, and economic status. Equally, volunteers have been challenged to learn about themselves and to grow.
Why Civilian Public Service?
By Clarence E. Quay
The Bible has a lot to say about the subject of "peace." One of the ten commandments is: "You shall not kill." At the birth of Jesus the angels sang, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is well pleased." In the sermon on the mount, Jesus declared, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Saint Paul wrote, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts to which indeed you were called in the one body." (Col. 3:15)
In the 290-year life of the Church of the Brethren their only creed has been the New Testament. It is from the New Testament that the Church of the Brethren takes its position on peace. A theme that occurs frequently on the teaching of peace is: "War is totally contrary to the teachings and example of Jesus Christ."
During the American Revolutionary War Brethren encountered much hostility and hardship because of their stand on peace. In 1778, Christopher Sauer, a Brethren printer in Germantown, PA was arrested, shamefully treated and deprived of all his property. During the Civil War and World War I many of the church members were persecuted, property taken from them, some were imprisoned and others left the state of Virginia in order that they may not be pressed into military service, all because of their belief in the teachings of the Prince of Peace.
Prior to World War II representatives of the Church of the Brethren and other peace groups, Society of Friends and Mennonites, met several times. Representatives of the three historic peace churches met frequently with government leaders to make their positions on peace known, and to "Urge that any legislation outlining conscription would include provision for people conscientiously opposed to any form of military duty." (Vol. 1, Brethren Encyclopedia, p. 316)
In September, 1940, the Selective Service Act provided that registrants for the draft who were conscientiously opposed, "by reason of religious training and belief," to military duty should be assigned to "work of national importance under civilian direction." On February 6, 1941, an executive order by president Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the director of the Selective Service System to establish the program that has become known as Civilian Public Service. (CPS)
The Church of the Brethren had 14 base camps and many special projects. The men sent to these camps received no pay from the government. The church maintained the camps and provided the meals, while the "work of national importance" was directed by a project superintendent representing the cooperative government agency (U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Soil Conservation Service, Public Health Service, etc.)
The Brethren Encyclopedia reports (Vol. 1, page 316), "By Oct., 1945, the population of the Brethren units had reached almost 2,000 men, of whom 1,119 were Brethren from several different Brethren groups. The Church of the Brethren contributed more than $1,300,000, in addition to large amounts of food and clothing, for the operation and administration of Brethren units."
Why Civilian Public Service? The historic peace churches were aware of the hardships they may have to endure if conscription were enacted. They were aware of previous persecutions family and church members had suffered. They informed the government that many of those opposed to military duty would work at constructive projects that would be an alternative to military service. Civilian Public Service was the result of these discussions with the government.
The experience gained in the CPS program contributed to government and
church planning for a different alternative service program in the 1950Õs
and to the founding of Brethren Volunteer Service in 1948.
Alphabetical Listing of Participants
The following pages contain in alphabetical order BVS, CPS and alternative service alumni. The criteria used to determine who to include were, first, that the person was officially in BVS, CPS, or alternative service, and second, that the person was at some time a member of the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren. Unfortunately this excluded many good people who are committed to a life of service and peace. Some persons, including many college faculty and students, who were active in the congregation were excluded because they were never members. Others were excluded who served in similar projects but were never officially in BVS.
The project was begun by using several sources to obtain names of members who had been in either BVS or CPS. Each of these persons was then sent a questionnaire. For persons who were deceased, either a surviving spouse or another close relative was solicited for the information.
All persons are listed by their current name. Women who have changed their name since leaving BVS are also listed by their name at the time of service.
In the listings, Church of the Brethren is abbreviated by the letters "CoB". If BVS doubled as alternative service the words "Alt. Service" appear in the listing. The item "Bridgewater CoB" contains the years the person was a member of the Bridgewater congregation.
Donna [Wills] Adams
BVS unit 179 Jun.87-Jun.88
Family: married -husband.- Gilbert
Occupation: Religious Education Coordinator
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: 1982 to 1987
Project: Hoyleton Childrens Home, Hoyleton, IL
Description: The home was a residential treatment program for
teens. I was part of the recreation department. I worked with the girls
in small group and one-on-one settings. I also led the Tuesday night worship
service which was open to all residents.
Gladys Akers see: Gladys Remnant
Olive Bagwell see: Olive Critzer
John G. Barr
BVS unit 55 Alt. Service Jul.62-Jun.65
Family: married - wife: Ann children: Rebecca, Johnny
Occupation: College professor, church musician
Home church: Was "floating" between congregations
Bridgewater CoB: Since 1968
Project: Hillcrest School, Jos, Nigeria
Description: I taught piano, directed the high school choir, taught a general music class in middle school and directed an instrumental ensemble. I also assisted in dormitory duties for regular house parents.
Johnny Barr
BVS unit 214 Sep.94-Sep.97
Family: single
Occupation: Artist, Inner-city education
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: Lifetime member
Projects: Trees for Life, Wichita, KS
BVS office, Elgin, IL
Description: Specifically all of my service work was "behind the scenes" at both projects, whether I was processing Tree Kit orders, BVS applications, designing brochures, or planning youth activities. I came to terms with the fact that either of my projects yielded little immediate results, a lot of my work planted seeds that slowly grew to benefit others.
John Evans Bowman
CPS 42(?)-Apr.46
Family: married - wife: Virginia
Occupation: Exec. Dir. of the Council on International Educational Exchange
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: until late 1940Õs
Projects: Camp Kane, PA
North Manchester, IN
CoB office, Elgin, IL
Hopewell farm, MD
Mental hospital, Newtown, CT
Description: At Manchester he was with a group studying overseas relief. In Elgin he worked in the office of the Brethren Service Committee.
David L. Brightbill
BVS unit 13 Sep.52-Apr.54
family.- married - wife: Grace children: David, Elizabeth, Kathy
Occupation: Quality control at Caterpillar Tractor Company
Home church: Highland Avenue CoB, Elgin, IL
Bridgewater CoB: Since 1994
Projects: Kassel, Germany (14 months)
WCC refugee camp service team (8 months)
Vienna, Austria (4 months)
Description: In Kassel I lived with a German family and helped on construction of the Brethren Service headquarters. The refugee camp international team did manual labor, including installing latrines and septic systems in refugee camps in France, Belgium and Austria. In Vienna I helped rebuild the evangelical school which later became the Karlschule Project.
Grace Brightbill -deceased
BVS unit 10 Mar.50-Mar.51
husband: David
children: David, Elizabeth, Kathy
Occupation: Occupational therapist, nursery teacher, seamstress
Home church: Snake Spring Valley CoB, Everett, PA
Bridgewater CoB: since 1994
Project: Federal Reformatory for Women, Alderson, WV Description: I worked with the inmates on their work project, visited them in their cottages in the evening, played cards, did needlework, and helped them write letters. Our role was to try to be their friend and help them in any way we could.
Allen M. Clague, Jr.
Alt. Service Mar.55-Mar.57
Family: married - wife: Naoma
children: Allen III, Linda, Marie
Occupation: Medical doctor, retired
Home church: West Richmond CoB, Richmond, VA
Bridgewater CoB: 1992-94, since 2000
Project: Medical College of Virgina, Richmond, VA
description; I worked as a nurse in the operating room of the medical college.
John W. Clayton
CPS Jun.41-Nov.45
Family: married - wife: Frances
children: Dena, Neva
Occupation: Sanitarian, director of environmental health with Fairfax county and the Virginia Department of Health
Home church: Westernport CoB, Westernport, MD
Bridgewater CoB: Since 1988
Projects: Grottoes, VA (1 month)
Kane, PA (2 years)
Veterans hospital, Lyons, NJ (2 years, 5 months)
Description: In Grottoes I dug post holes, detassled corn and worked as a typist in the ranger's office, In Kane I did tree inventories, planted trees, helped with forest fire cleanups, also cooked and baked for about 50 men. In Lyons I worked as an attendant on different hospital wards, including suicidal and bed patient.
Neva A. Clayton
BVS unit 116 Sep.75-Aug.78
Family: single
Occupation: Massage therapist and instructor
Home church: Oakton CoB, Vienna, VA
Bridgewater CoB: 1987-1992
Project: Agricultural exchange program, Lublin, Poland
Description: I taught English at the University of Marie Curie Sktodowska to students majoring in English. I also taught chemical engineers who needed English to help them read/ translate foreign papers related to their work. An average of six Polish farmers/agriculturists were able to spend a year in the U.S. for each year I was in Poland.
Maurice Click
CPS Mar.44-Jul.48
Family: married - wife: Lois
children: Ana Luisa, Maurice, Mark
Occupation: Hospital administrator,
head of the Oregon State Hospital Commission
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: until 1951
Projects: Wellston, MI
Cascade Locks, OR
Castaner, Puerto Rico
Description: At Wellston I helped with pine seed germination tests.
At Cascade Locks I worked in the office, including finances and payroll. In Castaner I was treasurer/buyer for the hospital, This included weekly trips to the city to buy drugs, groceries and whatever else was needed.
Olive B. [Bagwell] Critzer
BVS unit 89 Oct.70-Nov.71
Family: single
Occupation: Secretary
Home church: Covington CoB, Covington, OH
Bridgewater CoB: 1997 to 2002
project. Sebring Manor, Sebring, FL
Description: I manned the front reception desk, answered the switchboard, and operated the elevator.
Walt Crull
BVS unit 32 Alt. Service Sep.56-Aug.58
Family: married - wife: Wilma
children: David, Kara Occupation: Pastor Garbers CoB, Harrisonburg, VA
draftsman at James Madison University
Home church: Wabash CoB, Wabash, IN
Bridgewater CoB: 1970 to 1990
Projects: Flat Creek mission, Flat Creek, KY
Heifer Project, New Windsor, MD
Description: At Flat Creek I did maintenance of all kinds and drove the pickup truck to pick up kids for Sunday School. At heifer project I made banners, some promotional material and other art work. I also did some office work, like recording contributions. I helped load 21 heifers on a plane to go to Germany.
Wilma J. [Wampler] Crull
BVS unit 31 Jun.56-Jun.57
Family: married - husband: Walt
children: David, Kara
Occupation: School teacher, child care, pastor's wife
Home church: Petersburg CoB, Petersburg, WV
Bridgewater CoB: 1970 to 1990
Project: Flat Creek Mission, Flat Creek, KY
Description: My responsibilities included helping to plan and serving in Sunday School and Sunday services in four locations. I rode horseback to one of the Sunday Schools. I helped with the youth group and in Vacation Bible Schools. I visited people in the community and assisted with the various mission activities.
Walter Daggett
BVS unit 32 Oct.56-Jun.58
Family: married - wife: Ann
children: Kevin, Laura
Occupation: Teacher, retired
Home church: Hammond Street Congregational, Bangor, ME Bridgewater CoB: since 1971 Projects: Karlshule, Vienna, Austria
Linz, Austria
Description: The project in Vienna was to rebuild the Karlschule school. I was the head cook there. In Linz I worked in material aid.
Cindi Dellett
BVS unit 200 Jan.92-Oct.93
Family: married - husband: Tim children: Tanner, Dylan
Occupation: YMCA work
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: Until January 1996
Projects: Queen Louise Home for Children, St. Croix, USVI
Harmony Hill, Union, WA Aug.-Oct. 1993
Description: My husband and I served as cottage parents for abused and/or neglected children, ages 2 _ to 12, from the USVI. We lived in the cottage with the children and made sure all of their needs were taken care of. At Harmony Hill we assisted in the daily operations of the wellness and learning Retreat Center.
Grace Dibert see: Grace Brightbill
Lynn Ellenberger see: Lynn Quay
Rebecca Eller see: Rebecca Replogle
Sonya Eller
BVS unit 20 Sep.53-Sep.54
Family: married - husband: Wendell
children: Jerel, Denise, Sheri, Shawn
Occupation: Homemaker in ministry
Home church: Walnut Grove CoB, Johnstown, PA
Bridgewater CoB: since 1994
Project: Flat Creek Mission, Flat Creek KY
Description: I hiked up and down the hollers visiting families, teaching Sunday School, and holding worship services and vacation Bible schools, holding prayer meetings at their homes and going to "wakes". At the mission church I led singing for worship. The mission was also a farm so I milked the cow and goats, and fed all the animals.
Carolyn Fifer see: Carolyn Seilhamer
David E. Flora
CPS May 43-Apr.46
Family: married - wife: Mabel
children: David, Jr., Dale, Daniel, Stephen
Occupation: Payroll clerk, teacher, camp director, woodworker
Home church: Fraternity CoB, Winston-Salem, NC
Bridgewater CoB: Since 1997
Projects: Lyndhurst, VA #29
Bedford, NC #121
Three cattle boat trips
Survey crew
Description: At Lyndhurst I did maintenance and was in charge of the shop. I helped prepare Camp Bedford for the move from Lyndhurst. Between camps I worked with a survey crew transferring land from the Forest Service to the Park Service. I made three trips overseas on UNRRA cattle boats to Italy and Poland.
Juanita Flory see: Juanita Simmons
Phil Flory
BVS Dec.71-Dec.72
Family: married - wife: Dawn
children: Heather, Seth, Courtney
Occupation: Retirement/Nursing Home Administrator
Home church: Waynesboro Cob, Waynesboro, VA
Bridgewater CoB: since 1989
Project: The Palms, Florida Brethren Homes, Inc., Sebring, FL
Description: During the first six months I started a resident activities program, transported residents to appointments, and performed general maintenance duties. During the last six months I became an assistant to the Business Manager (Earl Seese) and did bookkeeping and payroll services.
Ada Fridley see: Ada Longenecker
Greg Geisert
BVS unit 79 Alt. Service Jul.68 to Jul.70
Family: married -wife: Margaret
children: Joel, Emily, Daniel
Occupation: Certified Public Accountant
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: until ??
Projects: Normal control patient, NIH, Bethesda, MD
Home for the Aged, Windber, PA
Description: At NIH I worked on the Fibronolitic study on affects of exercise on clotting of blood. Outside at Windber I picked up trash and helped raze a building. Inside I did research projects for the administrator, some general office work like getting residents to endorse monthly welfare checks, and began my interest in bookkeeping.
Ray Glick
BVS unit 31 Alt. Service Jun.56-Jul.58
Family: married - wife: Sandra children: Roger, Shannon
Occupation: Teacher, truck driver, financial resource counselor
Home church: Summit CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: since 1989
Project: Istanbul, Turkey
Description: My work was with Bulgarian refugees. They were housed on a farm where we could produce some of our own food and occupy the men's time until they could be resettled in the free world. My task was to oversee the workings of the farm. We raised small grain, chickens, hogs, and sheep.
Peter Haynes
BVS unit 136 Sep.78-Sep.79
Family: married - wife: Karen
children: Caitlin, Tyler, Mitchell, Tessa
Occupation: CoB minister
Home church: Bridgewater Cob, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: 1970 to 1979
Project: Peace Caravan, Reba Place Fellowship, Evanston, IL
Description: I worked with a Mennonite partner and we did peace education work in Brethren and Mennonite churches and in Friends meetings throughout the mid-west. I met my wife, who served in Hutchinson, KS, in our orientation unit. We burned up the phone lines and mail routes leading to Hutchinson.
Ruthanna Hoff -deceased
BVS unit 13 Dec.51 to 1954
Occupation: Christian Education Director
Home church: Pipe Creek CoB, Union Bridge, MD
Bridgewater CoB: ??
Project: Flat Creek Mission, Flat Creek, KY
Description: She worked a lot with children and youth programs, women's club, did lots of visitation, taught piano to some who were interested. After BVS she went to training school and McPherson College. She then returned to Flat Creek for approximately ten more years.
David R. Holl
BVS Alt. Service
Family: single
children: Robyn, Carole, Russell
Occupation: Construction management
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: 1965-1983
Projects: National Institute of Health
CWS New Windsor, MD, Houston, TX, Modesto, CA
Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Indian Reservation
Description: Most of my time I was a CWS warehouseman. In the last summer I was a senior counselor for a summer camp for Indian kids on an Indian reservation.
Dennis A. Holl -deceased BVS 1976
Family: single
Occupation: On staff at Highroads Program Center, Loudoun, VA
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: 1965-1987
Project: Morrison Cove Retirement Home, Martinsburg, PA Description: Various activities.
Harold Jennings
CPS Oct.41-Dec.45
Family: married -wife: Mary children: Karen, John, Sandra, Karen
Occupation: Printing
Home church: Brownsville CoB, Brownsville, MD
Bridgewater CoB: since 1992
Projects: Forestry, Kane, PA
Forestry, Santa Barbara, CA
Mental hospital, Lynchburg, VA
Description: An opportunity to maintain the forest - replace trees and build roads in the National forest - that took care of the first two camps. The most significant accomplishment at the hospital was the major change brought about in the care of America's mentally ill. I also made three trips overseas as a sea going cowboy.
William R. (Bill) Johnson
CPS Dec.42-Jul.46
Family: married - wife: Lois children: David, Judy, Karen, Diane, Dawn, William L., Dan
Occupation: Physician, general practice
Home church: Lebanon CoB, Mt. Sidney, VA
Bridgewater CoB: since 2001
Projects: Marienville, PA (5 months)
Magnolia, AR (3 months)
Castaner General Hospital, Castaner, Puerto Rico
Description: In Marienville I did timber stand improvement, thinning trees and working up felled trees. Magnolia was a cooking school. In Castaner I was chief cook and camp buyer. I also helped in my off time with construction projects, gave hookworm medicine, and helped in the delivery room.
Wayne Judd
BVS Unit 45 Dec.59-Dec.60
Family: married - wife: Patricia
children: Philip, Marty
Occupation: CoB minister
Home church: Luray CoB, Luray, VA
Bridgewater CoB: 1979-1989, since 2002
Project: Community Service Center, Rapid City, SD
Description: I served in "Indian" Center, sponsored by the local County Council of Churches, assisting Indian people (Lakota) in making the transition from reservation to city life.
Sonya Kaufman see: Sonya Eller
Carson Kiracofe
BVS Alt. Service Jul.67-Jul.69
Family: married -wife: Sharon
children: Ryan, Todd
Occupation: Dairy and poultry farmer
Home church: Sangerville CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: since 1970
Project: Church World Service, Houston, TX Description: I helped pack medical supplies and clothing for overseas relief. The Houston center was similar to New Windsor, MD, but on a lot smaller scale.
Ada [Faidley] Longenecker
BVS unit 109 Jul.74-Jul.75
Family: married - husband: Stephen
children: Lewis, Carol
Occupation: Social worker
Home church: Mount Morris CoB, Mount Morris, IL
Bridgewater CoB: since 1989
Project: Church of the Brethren Home, Windber, PA
Description: My project involved assisting with the activities programs during the first two months and then I worked in the social service department for the rest of the year. I assisted the staff case worker with admissions and social problems that the residents had.
Lewis W. Longenecker
BVS unit 244 Jul.01-Jul.02
Family: single
Occupation: Social studies teacher
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: since 1989
Project: Community Family Life Services, Washington, DC Description:As an employment counselor, I interviewed clients for job placement or vocational training; assisted with resume preparation, job search and interview techniques; tracked client progress and performed office duties. I also volunteered in the after school tutoring program with inner-city children.
Steve Longenecker
BVS unit 109 Jul.74-Aug.75
Family: married - wife: Ada
children: Lew, Carol
Occupation: Professor
Home church: Lititz CoB, Lititz, PA
Bridgewater CoB: since 1989
Project: Ch. of the Brethren Washington Office, Washington, DC
Description: I was a staff assistant. The office serves as a liaison between the federal government and the denomination. I had specific responsibility for foreign policy issues and military spending, i.e. peace concerns, including Viet Nam.
Steven W. Martindale
BVS unit 178 May 87-May 88
Family: married wife: Claire
Occupation: Regional human resources manager
Home church: Oak Grove CoB, Roanoke, VA
Bridgewater CoB: since 1991
Project: Habitat for Humanity International Office, Americus, GA Description: After three weeks orientation in Chicago I went to the project site in Americus, GA. I was involved with home construction and in-kind solicitation from businesses nationwide.
Floyd R. Mason
CPS May 42-Feb.46
Family: married - wife: Kathryn children: Mary, Michael
Occupation: School teacher (retired)
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: 1940-1942, since 1991
Projects: Soil Conservation Service, Magnolia, AK
Patuxent Research Center, Dept.of Interior, Bowie, MD
Lynchburg State Colony, Lynchburg VA
Description: Most of my time was at the Lynchburg State Colony. I worked primarily as a receptionist and office clerk, but some time as a cook and some time doing patient supervision.
Olin Mason -deceased
CPS about 44-46
BVS unit 10 Mar.51-Aug.52
Family: wife: Mary children: Stephen, Sandra, Rodney, Janice, Judith, Russell
Occupation: Brethren Service dir., Retirement Homes administrator
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: Up through 1950, at least
Projects: Wellston, MI #42
detached service #34
Cascade Locks, OR #21
Bowie, MD #34
North Avenue Community Center, Fresno, CA
Description: He was director of the Fresno project.
Robert H. McKay
CPS Jun.42-Mar.46
Family: married -wife: Charlotte
children: Nancy, Rebecca
Occupation: 3 yrs. farming, Nigeria mission service, science teacher
Home church: University Park CoB, Hyattsville, MD
Bridgewater CoB: since 1993
Projects: Lyndhurst, VA
CPS 27, Florida hookworm project
Description: I did a variety of work. The principal project at camp Lyndhurst was working on the Blue Ridge Parkway. At CPS 27 it was sanitation work, camp farming and a short stint at cooking Now I regret not paying more attention to the fact that our country was involved in a terrible war.
Brian Messler
BVS unit 205 Jan.93-Feb.94
Family: married - wife: Amy
Occupation: Pastor
Home church: Friendship CoB, Linthicum Heights, MD
Bridgewater CoB: 1993 to 1998
Project: Brethren Woods Camp & Retreat Center, Keezletown, VA Description: I did maintenance work for nine months and was a counselor for three months. The official title was assistant program director. The more I look back on it the more it becomes one of the best years for me. It taught me to remain focused and never to give up.
Myron S. Miller
CPS Apr.43-May 46
Family: married - wife: Dorothy
children: Ann, Jean, Karen
Occupation: Executive secretary, Virginia Council of Churches, and director, Migrant Head Start Programs, VCC
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: until ??
Projects: Forestry, Marienville, PA, April 43, Oct. 43-Nov.43
Forestry, Waldport, OR, May 43-Oct.43
Hopewell Farm, Williamsport, MD, Nov.43-May 56
Description: I began in the forest camps by planting trees, clearing roads, and occasionally fighting fires. I then moved into cooking. I helped close the camp at Marienville, then went to Hopewell farm where I served mainly as cook, however I finished my service as director of the unit.
Betty Neher
BVS unit 7 Jun.50-Mar.52
Family: married -husband: Dean
children: Christa, Dan, Brad, Peggy
Occupation: housewife, social worker
Home church: Donnels Creek CoB, North Hampton, OH
Bridgewater CoB: since 1961
Project: Brethren Service Commission, Kassel, Germany
Description: Most of the time I did secretarial work in the German office of BSC. I worked in a children's home in Bad Soden for two months, helping care for the children, giving baths, braiding hair, and cleaning their rooms. I also worked in the kitchen and did a week of night duty.
Christa Neher see: Christa Van Rossum
Dean Neher
BVS unit 3 Jun.49-Aug.51
Family: married - wife: Betty
children: Christa, Dan, Brad, Peggy
Occupation: college teacher
Home church: Osage CoB, McCune, KS
Bridgewater CoB: since 1961
Projects: Brethren Service Commission, Kassel, Germany Haid refugee camp, Linz, Austria
World Council of Churches project, Ioannina, Greece Description: I was in the first group of BVSers sent to Europe. In Germany the work was varied and included distributing food and clothing. In Austria I helped build a children's playground in a refugee camp. In Greece the project was agricultural rehabilitation following the communist civil war.
Lynn Quay
BVS Sep.82-Jan.84
Family: married - husband: Jeff
children: Eli, Laura
Home church: Plumcreek CoB, Shelocta, PA
Bridgewater CoB: Since 1997
Projects: Brethren Service Center, New Windsor, MD
Child Care Center, Hutchinson, KS
Description: The first six months at New Windsor I worked in the Refugee Resettlement Office doing a variety of tasks. The second six months were spent providing mail service to the Service Center. In Kansas I provided direct hands-on care to the children and helped with the program planning.
Clarence E. Quay
CPS May 42-Mar.46
Family: married - wife: Mary
child: Jeffrey
Occupation: Church of the Brethren pastor
Home church: Parker Ford CoB, Parker Ford, PA
Bridgewater CoB: since 1997
Projects: Lyndhurst, VA
Missoula, MT
Bedford, VA
Belden, CA
Oneida, NY
Description: In New York I was a dairy herd improvement tester. In the rest of the camps the main emphasis was to put out forest fires. I volunteered to be a Smoke Jumper. In Montana I was a Smoke Jumper for two summers. In 1943, sixty of us covered the Northwestern section of the United States.
Don Remnant
BVS unit 92 Jul.71-Aug.72
Family: married - wife: Gladys
children: Kyle, Kelly
Occupation: high school teacher
Home church: Prince of Peace CoB, Kettering, OH
Bridgewater CoB: since 1981
Projects: Community Action Program, Warrenton, VA
Brethren Home, Neffsville, PA
Camp Swatara, Bethel, PA
Description: I began in the Community Youth Center which soon
disbanded when federal funding was reshuffled. At the Brethren Home I served
in a variety of odd jobs, including maintenance, chauffeuring, running
errands, orderly, and grounds keeping. At camp Swatara I was a counselor
and worked on the maintenance staff.
Gladys Remnant
BVS unit 123 Sep.76-Aug.77
Family: married - husband: Don
children: Kyle, Kelly
Occupation: Kindergarten teacher
Home church: Manassas CoB, Manassas, VA
Bridgewater CoB: since 1978
Project: Mother Goose Child Development Center, Elgin, IL
Description: I served as a teacher's aid with the 3 and 4 year old class, but also taught some. We served economically disadvantaged children, mostly from single-parent homes with ethnic and minority backgrounds.
James S. Replogle (Jim)
BVS unit 68 Oct.65-Oct.67
Family: married - wife: Rebecca
children: Shawn, Heather
Occupation: Printing/publishing, development, estate planning
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: two times, including currently, total of 15 years
Projects: Brethren Service Center, New Windsor, MD
Manchester College, North Manchester, IN
Description: I opened the printing facilities at both organizations. New Windsor was a one-person shop. Manchester College had two full time persons plus 10 to 15 students.
Rebecca A. [Eller] Replogle
BVS unit 68 Oct.65-Oct.66
Family: married - husband: James
children: Shawn, Heather
Occupation: Alumni office, Manchester College; registered nurse
Home church: Oakland CoB, Gettysburg, OH
Bridgewater CoB: since 1984
Projects: National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD Garfield Park CoB pre-school program, Elgin, IL
Description: For 3 months I was a medical "control patient" for immunological studies and lab assistant to the doctor. In Chicago I set up and supervised the Garfield Park pre-school program. On weekends I drove the BVS bus to pick up Bethany Hospital nurses. I met Dr. Martin Luther King and participated in the summer 1966 Chicago civil rights marches.
Shawn Replogle
BVS unit 202 Jul.92-Aug.94
Family: married - wife: Alison
Occupation: Pastor of South Waterloo Church of the Brethren
Home church: Bridgewater CoB:, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: member 1984 - 1998
Project: Youth/Young Adult Ministry office, CoB, Elgin, IL Description: As the 1993 National Youth Workcamps coordinator, I designed, planned and implemented twelve workcamps located all over North America. As the coordinator of the1994 National Youth Conference I designed, planned and implemented this quadrennial gathering with over 4,000 youth and advisors in attendance. I also supported other CoB youth programs.v
Mark Riddle
BVS unit 187 Apr.89-Nov.90
Family: single
Occupation: Elementary school music teacher, furniture sales
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: until May 1992
Project: Alaska Children's Services, Anchorage, AL
Description: I served as a residential treatment specialist in a facility for troubled youth, boys and girls ages 7-17. I was specifically assigned to the recreation department. and supervised daily recreation. In addition I was responsible for the weekly newsletter and also for arranging community/cultural activities; anything from opera to putt putt golf.
Carolyn [Fifer] Seilhamer
BVS unit 63 Jul.64-Aug.66
Family: married - husband: Larry
children: Mark, Rebekah
Occupation: Teacher, real estate title insurance agent
Home church: Summit CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: 1982 to 1995
Projects: Switzerland
Gallneukirchen, Austria
Purkersdorf, Austria
Description: I worked on a Swiss farm the fall of 1964. Then in January, 1965, I moved to Gallneukirchen near Linz, Austria in an institution for mentally and physically handicapped children. In June 1965 I moved to Purkersdorf near Vienna, Austria to a home for the elderly.
Rebekah Seilhamer
BVS unit 236 Oct.99-Nov.01
Family: single
Occupation: Early childhood special education teacher
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: since 1982
Projects: Oakland Elizabeth House, Oakland, California
Trees for Life, Wichita, Kansas
Description: As a live-in volunteer at Oakland Elizabeth House I aided in the operation of the transitional house, planned childrenÕs activities and supported women moving from homeless to independent living. At Trees for Life I did office work and field testing of interactive software.
Larry Shank
BVS unit 100 Nov.72-Aug-74
Family: single
Occupation: M.I.S. Management
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: until November 1993
Project: YMCA of Cecil County, MD
Description: I served as janitor, bus driver, day camp counselor, and program assistant for the YMCA. The "Y" served both low income and more affluent residents of Cecil County. An interesting sidelight: as a CO I had an ex-marine executive director and played softball on a team sponsored by the American Legion.
Ralph Shively
CPS Dec.42-Mar.46
Family: married - wife: Catherine children: Thomas, Philip
Occupation: College teacher
Home church: Muncie CoB, Muncie, IN
Bridgewater CoB: since 1996
Projects: U.S. Forest Service, Wellston, NE, #42
Description: In 1944 I was assigned to the administrative office of a dairy herd unit covering parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland and New York. In 1946 I was assigned to a cattle boat that took cattle for relief purposes to Greece, Cyprus and Israel under the jurisdiction of UNRRA.
Juanita M. Simmons
BVS unit 190
Family: widowed
children: Janet, Beth, Tony, John
Occupation: retired
Home church: Nokesville CoB, Nokesville, VA
Bridgewater CoB: 1997 to 1999
Projects: Kansas State Industrial Reformatory, Hutchinson, KS
New Windsor Service Center, New Windsor, MD
Description: At KSIR I was secretary to the Chaplains Office. I did general secretarial work as well as scheduling counseling sessions for outside chaplains with inmates to assure they had privacy. At New Windsor, as hostess, I was responsible to see that the rooms were ready for guests and making guests feel comfortable.
Samuel L. Simmons
BVS unit 35 Alt. Service 957-Oct.59
Family: married - wife: Delores
child: Dennis
Occupation: Senior Electrical/Project engineer for American Safety Razor
Home church: Sangerville CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: since about 1963
Project:Garkida, Nigeria, West Africa
Description: I was an engineering specialist responsible for installation and maintenance of equipment in three hospitals (two general and one lepersarium), a motor pool, power plants, and water supplies for hospitals and residences. I directly supervised electricians, mechanics, and native helper crews.
Loren S. Simpson - deceased
CPS Oct.43-Jun.46
children: Mary Jean, Janet, Marjorie
wife: Miriam
Occupation: High school counselor
Home church: Hagerstown CoB, Hagerstown, MD
Bridgewater CoB: 1985-1996
Projects: Base camp, Bedford, VA
Mental institution, Sykesville, MD
Colony Institution for Retarded, Lynchburg, VA
Brethren Service Center, New Windsor, MD
Description: He was the Personnel Director at New Windsor. Loren enjoyed all of his CPS experiences except base camp. His motivation was his desire to help people. It was during this time that his desire to help young people crystallized into a decision to become certified as a high school counselor.
Harold Smith
CPS Aug.43-Apr.46
Family: married - wife: Miriam
children: Darlene, Linda
Occupation: Prof. & Administrator, Univ. of Maryland until 1983
Exec. Director, On Earth Peace Assembly, New Windsor, MD
Home church: Elk Run CoB, Churchville, VA
Bridgewater CoB: since 1983
Projects: U.S. Forestry Service camp, Kane, PA
Univ. of MD Experiment Station, College Park, MD
Description: At Kane I worked building roads in a virgin timber area plus some maintenance of camp grounds. At College Park I cleared land near the dairy barns, then worked in a soils laboratory on campus and assisted with field test plots in different parts of the state.
Wendell Smith
CPS Jul.43-Jun.46
Family: married - wife: Elaine
children: Dana, Beverly, David
Occupation: Director of Field Services for a milk co-op
Home church: Elk Run CoB, Churchville, VA
Bridgewater CoB: since 1996
Projects: Forest Service Program, Camp Marienville, PA Dairy Dept., Univ. of MD, College Park, MD, # 116
Description: For three months I worked at "Timber Stand Improvement" where crews cut and split wild cherry and beech for a chemical factory. For 33 months I worked in a milk plant. Three of us CPSers ran the bottling plant, delivered milk over campus, made ice cream, ran their ice cream store, and set up experiments for students.
Craig Stevens
BVS unit 75
Information not received
Galen Stinebaug -deceased
CPS Aug.42-Mar.46
children: Annett, Mary Alice
wife: Ruth Louise
Occupation: College music teacher
Home church: Bridgewater CoB: 1946 to 1958
Projects: Connecticut State Hospital
Salamonie State Forest, Lagro, IN
Description: At the Connecticut State Hospital he worked as an orderly or nurse.
Richard "Dick" Stutzman
BVS unit 84 Alt. Service Jul.69-Aug.71
Family: married - wife: Carolyn
children: Andrew, Julia, David
Occupation: Furniture maker, carpenterdeceased Home church: Winter Park CoB, Winter Park, FL
Bridgewater CoB: since 1981
Projects: Normal control volunteer, National Inst. Of Health
Youth leader, Tabea Gemeinde, Berlin, Germany Description: As a normal control, I worked in the NIH library while on three or four studies about liver functions, weight control, and strict dietary restrictions. In Germany I worked with about 200 youth in Kellerclubs (basement clubs) as they organized themselves for afternoon and evening meetings, dances, games, and mingling.
Philip E. Trout-deceased
CPS Jun.43-Jun.46
wife: Nancy
children: David, Robert
Occupation: College music professor
Home church: Ninth Street CoB, Roanoke, VA
Bridgewater CoB: 1974 - 1986
Projects: Kane, PA
Marienville, PA
Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD
Susonville(??), CA
Church World Service, New Windsor, MD
Description: In Kane and Marienville he did fire fighting. At Johns Hopkins he was in an experimental starvation unit.
Claire Ulrich
BVS unit 32 Sep.56-Aug.58
Family: married - husband: Dale
children: Vernon, Daniel, Sharon
Occupation: Teaching, accounting, software training support
Home church: Springfield CoB, Springfield, OR
Bridgewater CoB: since 1958
Project: Pilot House, Baltimore, MD
Description: Pilot House was a remodeled row house in an urban renewal area. It was a showcase for what could be done with a run-down house, so we had many visitors. My contribution was to serve as household manager organizing cooking, cleaning, laundry and shopping for the volunteers who lived there.
Dale Ulrich
BVS unit 32 Alt. Service Sep.56-Aug.58
Family: married - wife: Claire
children: Vernon, Daniel, Sharon
Occupation: College teacher and administrator
Home church: Springfield CoB, Springfield, OR
Bridgewater CoB: since 1958
Project: Baltimore BVS Unit, Baltimore, MD
Description: I directed the work of 4 to 13 BVSers in slum rehabilitation projects. We worked with poor homeowners to help them fix up their homes, with a community center to provide recreation and daycare, with church people to provide "fresh air" opportunities, and with government officials.
Christa [Neher] Van Rossum
BVS unit 142 Nov.79-Dec.79
Family: married - husband: Edward
Occupation: Secretary, then computer programmer
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: until 1978
Project: Friendship House Daycare Center, Hatfield CoB, PA Description: I was a teacher in the daycare center. I served as the cook during the last month.
Norman D. Wagenschein
CPS May 42-Feb.46
Family: married - wife: Min
children: Jane, Vickie
Occupation: Engineer, now retired
Home church: Non-denominational church, Yoakum, TX Bridgewater CoB: since 1982 Projects: Soil Conservation Camp, Magnolia, AR Lynchburg Colony, Lynchburg, VA
Description: At Magnolia I did maintenance of government vehicles. I started at the colony as a ward attendant until they found out that I knew something about machinery. Then I was assigned to the maintenance department doing plumbing, electrical work, welding and machine work.
Fred W. Wampler
Alt. Service about 1958-1967
Family: married - wife: Josephine (Jo)
children: Amanda, Ruth, Rosalie
Occupation: Medical doctor
Home church: Lancaster CoB, Lancaster, PA
Bridgewater CoB: since 2002
Projects: Mission hospital in Bulsar, India Mission hospital in Dahanu, India
Description: The hospital in Bulsar was closed about three years after I arrived. I was sent to Dahanu Road which was a flourishing hospital with a midwifery/nursing training course. I worked as medical superintendent doing general medicine and surgery. I taught abnormal obstetrics in Gujarati language to the students.
Wilma Wampler see: Wilma Crull
James West
BVS unit 85
Information not received
John West
BVS unit 71 Alt. Service Jul.66-Sep.68
Family: married - wife: Linda
child: Joseph
Occupation: College professor (1974-84), attorney since 1987
Home church: First Church CoB, York, PA
Bridgewater CoB: since 1974
Projects: Aktion Suehnezeichen, Berlin Germany
Evangelische Industriejugend, Berlin Germany
Description: I worked with two German youth organizations affiliated with the Protestant church, one that sent Gerrnan young people to work camps in countries Gerrnany occupied in WWII, and the other which conducted programs for youth in vocational schools and apprentice programs.
Ginny Whitten
BVS Nov.90-Jul.91
Family: married - husband: Hugh
children: Sharon, David, Rhonda, Wendy
Occupation: retired
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: since 1988
Project: A cooperative project of the CoB and the Evan. Church of Czech Brethren in Prague, Czechoslovakia
Description: My husband and I taught English as a second language in three Prague locations: two ECCB churches and the ECCB seminary. We had all adults, ages 14-60 from beginners to advanced. We made many friends of the wonderful Czech people with tongue-twister names (for us of course).
Hugh Whitten
BVS Nov.90-Jul.91
Family: married - husband: Hugh
children: Sharon, David, Rhonda, Wendy
Occupation: retired
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater CoB: since 1988
Project: A cooperative project of the CoB and the Evan. Church of Czech Brethren in Prague, Czechoslovakia
Description: My wife and I taught English as a second language in three Prague locations: two ECCB churches and the ECCB Seminary. We had all adults, ages 14-60 from beginners to advanced. Prague is an old city; the New Town Hall was built in the 1500Õs. We made many wonderful friends.
Donna Wills see: Donna Adams
Galen W. Wolfe deceased
CPS Feb.43 -May 46
Family: married - wife: Mirna
children: Margaret, Cathem, Luke, Paul, James
Occupation: School guidance counselor
Home church: Bridgewater CoB, Bridgewater, VA
Bridgewater COB: about 1940 to 1955
Projects: Coast and Geodetic Survey, various locations in the southwest United States
Description: He was a member of a group that surveyed many of the areas of the United States that had never been done before.
Ralph Wolfe CPS Dec.42-May 46
Information not received
Betty Young see: Betty Neher
BVS Statement of Purpose -- July 1948
-- To serve human need - physical, economic, emotional, and spiritual.
-- To serve the cause of peace by witnessing for "a way of life that takes away the occasion for all war" and by giving youth a unique opportunity to grow together in the philosophy and the skills of peacemaking.
-- To serve the church by deepening commitment, by developing skilled leaders, by encouraging life commitment to vocations of service to the church, by strengthening her peace testimony, by widening the horizons of the local church, by developing across the brotherhood a spirit of unity and destiny which comes to those who work together for common purposes, by giving pacifists the right to retain deferment from the draft and by setting a pattern which may be useful if CO's are ever drafted.
-- To serve the volunteer by giving him (her) an opportunity to witness by example... for the way of love and against the way of materialism and war, by giving constructive guidance as he (she) chooses his (her) vocation by helping him (her) to grow, in a fellowship of likeminded youthÉ to seek more earnestly through discussion and practice the real meaning of the Way of Jesus for his (her) entire life.
2003 members of the Bridgewater congregation who were in BVS
John G. Barr
Johnny Barr
David Brightbill
Grace [Dibert] Brightbill
Walter Daggett
Sonya [Kaufman] Eller
Phil Flory
Ray Glick
Wayne Judd
Ada [Fridley] Longenecker
Lew Longenecker
Steve Longenecker
Steven Martindale
Betty [Young] Neher
Dean Neher
Lynn [Ellenberger] Quay
Don Remnant
Gladys [Akers] Remnant
Jim Replogle
Rebecca [Eller] Replogle
Rebekah Seilhamer
S. L. Simmons
Dick Stutzman
Claire [Gilbert] Ulrich
Dale Ulrich
James West
John West
Ginny [Bittinger] Whitten
Hugh Whitten
2003 members of the Bridgewater congregation who were in CPS or non-BVS alternative service
Allen M. Clague, Jr.
John W. Clayton
David E. Flora
Harold Jennings
William R. (Bill) Johnson
Floyd. R. Mason
Robert H. McKay
Clarence E. Quay
Ralph Shively
Harold Smith
Wendell L. Smith
Norman D. Wagenschein
Fred. W. Wampler
Persons who entered BVS while members of the Bridgewater congregation
Donna [Wills] Adams Johnny Barr Cindi Dellett Gregory Geisert Peter
Haynes David R. Holl Dennis A. Holl
Lew Longenecker
Jim Replogle
Shawn Replogle
Mark Riddle
Rebekah Seilhamer
Larry Shank
Craig Stevens
Christa [Neher] Van Rossum
Persons who entered CPS or Alternative Service
(non-BVS) while members of the Bridgewater congregation
John Evans Bowman
Maurice Click
Floyd R. Mason
Olin J. Mason
Myron S. Miller
Galen W. Wolfe
Ralph Wolfe