Jan. 31--Members of St. Therese Catholic Church in Wilson pose in Washington, D.C. on Friday before the March for Life that afternoon. Photo taken Friday, January 27, 2017. Submitted photo

Members of St. Therese Catholic Church in Wilson pose in Washington, D.C. on Friday before the March for Life that afternoon. Photo taken Friday, January 27, 2017. Submitted photo

Along the route for the March for Life, marchers from Wilson stopped at the Russell Senate Building to speak with aides to Sen. Richard Burr. Pictured are, from left, Allison Dunkle, Susan Bane, Keisha Parker, aide to Senator Burr, and Riley Bane. Photograhed on Friday Photo taken Friday, January 27, 2017. Submitted photo

Along the route for the March for Life, marchers from Wilson stopped at the Russell Senate Building to speak with aides to Sen. Richard Burr. Pictured are, from left, Allison Dunkle, Susan Bane, Keisha Parker, aide to Senator Burr, and Riley Bane. Photograhed on Friday Photo taken Friday, January 27, 2017. Submitted photo

*

*

Members of St. Therese Catholic Church exercised their right to demonstrate on the streets of Washington Friday.

Louise Bellavance, director of religious education at the church, said a total of 55 people made the bus trip for the March for Life event.

Some 35 youth from St. Therese were joined also by marchers from Barton College and St. Catherine Siena Catholic Church in Tarboro.

The group attended Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

"For most of them, it was the first time they went to Washington, D.C. to visit the basilica, so they were pretty impressed," Bellavance said.

For the Wilsonians, the march started at the Navy Memorial and traveled along Constitution Avenue by the Supreme Court and the U.S. Capitol before ending at St. Peter's on Capitol Hill Catholic Church.

Group members brought signs and marched along with several thousand others sympathetic to the cause.

"We want to let people know that there are lot of us that believe of the importance of life at every stage," Bellavance said. "The youth of St. Therese Catholic Church were proud to represent Wilson as witnesses to the sanctity of human life and the protection of the unborn."

Bellavance said the majority of marchers were young people who had a lot of enthusiasm.

"They were just happy and wanting to speak up. Many times they would sing little things to try to convey their message," Bellavance said. "They felt that there was a lot of solidarity and they felt that it was just a really good experience. I appreciated the fact that this was a very peaceful walk with no aggressive people."

Dr. Susan Bane, medical director of the Wilson Pregnancy Center and a professor at Barton College, joined the marchers. It was her second time attending the event.

"What is most impressive, I would say, is that 75 percent of the people at the march were young people in middle school, high school and college," said Bane. "One of their favorite chants is 'We are the pro-life generation,' and it is really encouraging to see that age group understand and be so passionate about the value of life. I think it is so important for all people, but particularly the young people, to try to understand what they believe and why they believe it and then use their right of protest in a peaceful way. The energy up there was fabulous."

Along the way, the group stopped at the Russell Senate Office Building to speak with Keisha Parker, a staff assistant to U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C.

Parker is a former student government association president at Barton College.

Bane took the lead in conveying the group's message.

'I told her that we should value life from conception to natural death and that I wanted Senator Burr to know that," Bane said. "I offered my assistance as an obstetrician-gynecologist in terms of why Roe v. Wade should be reversed should he ever want to talk about it, both from the scientific standpoint but also from a constitutional standpoint."

The landmark Roe case legalized abortion in the United States by striking down state laws that restricted it. Abortion rights opponents have sought to overturn the Jan. 22, 1973 Supreme Court decision ever since.

"In the 1970s when that decision was made, the science was very different from what we know now and then, from a constitutional standpoint, an abortion is the only medical procedure that is classified as a constitutional right, so I just offered my thoughts on that and just offered my assistance just as a medical professional," Bane said. "I offered, as he is trying to consider his votes in the future, should they come up, that I would be glad to give him my opinion."

President Donald Trump is expected to announce his pick to fill the Supreme Court seat of Justice Antonin Scalia at 8 p.m. today. According to the Associated Press, the short list of nominees includes Judge William Pryor, from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Pryor once described Roe v. Wade as the "worst abomination in the history of constitutional law."

Others considered for the job include Judge Thomas Hardiman, of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and Judge Neil Gorsuch, of the U.S. Court of Appeals in the 10th Circuit.

If confirmed, a new justice could shift the ideological balance on the high court. Anti-abortion advocates hope a conservative-leaning court would reverse the Roe decision.

dwilson@wilsontimes.com -- 265-7818

___

(c)2017 The Wilson Daily Times (Wilson, N.C.)

Visit The Wilson Daily Times (Wilson, N.C.) at www.wilsontimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

American Legion Thanksgiving meals

Fallon's American Legion Fred W. Anderson Post 16 needs volunteers for its annual Thanksgiving meals outreach.

The post prepares, packs and delivers meals to the county's seniors in need as well as opening its dining room to the community for a homemade Thanksgiving meal.

Come to the Post at 90 N. Ada St., on Nov. 26. Volunteer times are between 8:30-11:30 a.m. To sign up, email Pip at [email protected].

VA to hire more employees

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to hire more than 2,000 employees in fiscal year 2027 to process a record number of benefits claims veterans are expected to file in the coming years.

The department is inviting veterans and others to for a career as a VA claims processor. Selected candidates will interpret and apply applicable laws, regulations and policies for processing disability claims.

VA's Warrior Training Advancement Course gives all transitioning service members the opportunity to complete a national-level training program while still on active duty, and completing this training can lead to employment opportunities at one of VA's 56 Regional Benefits Offices.

For information, visit VA.gov.

R.E.D. Friday

R.E.D. Friday Is to Remember Everyone Deployed. Check in with your veterans, listen without judgment and help them connect with support.

The Veterans Military Crisis Line is dial 988, press 1 or text 838255.

Care for homeless veterans

High Sierra Power Sports announces home-based primary care, healthcare for homeless veterans, mobile health unit suicide prevention and caregiver support.

For information call 460-1875.

VALife insurance

VALife provides guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance coverage for Veterans age 80 or under who have a VA disability rating of 0% to 100%. Benefits include up to $40,000 in coverage available in $10,000 increment; no health questions to enroll; no deadline to apply for Veterans age 80 or under; and lock in premium rates that do not increase

For information, go to va.gov./life-insurance.

Post-9/11 M2VA program

The Post-9/11 M2VA program is designed to meet the needs of post 9/11 veterans including National Guard and Reserve service members. The Post-9/11 M2VA team will assist veterans, their families and caregivers in navigating the VA healthcare system while supporting veterans to achieve their goals.

The Post-9/11 M2VA program offers a complete and team-based approach to meet the needs of Post-9/11 veterans.

For information, contact 775-786-7220, ext. 2771

Give back at veterans' home

You can make a difference and brighten someone's day when you volunteer at Northern Nevada State Veteran's Home.

Join our volunteer team. To get started, contact Amy Morley at 775-418-5066 or [email protected] or www.veterans.nv.gov; Applicants must pass a Tuberculosis test and background check.

Navy League dinner

The Carson Navy League will conduct their Veteran's Day dinner at 6 p.m. on Nov. 18, at the Fandango Casino, Carson City. Guest speaker will be Capt. Michael Haymon, commanding officer at Naval Air Station Fallon. Membership in the Navy League is free and open to all US citizens.

The Carson City branch of the Navy League includes members from throughout western Nevada, Fallon and eastern California.

For information, contact Wayne at 775-721-3035. The cost is $45 per person. Deadline to register is Nov. 13.

Liberty Dogs

Liberty Dogs is currently seeking dedicated individuals interested in becoming puppy raisers to help raise, socialize and prepare future service dogs for our veterans.

Call 775-499-0000 ext. 200; email [email protected].; website: www.LibertyDogs.org

Blue Star Mothers care packages

Blue Star Mothers of Spanish Springs NV5 are reaching out to advise they are sending care packages to deployed and or stateside military service members.

If you have a deployed service member or a service member serving stateside and would like them to receive a care package, send an email with the service member's address to [email protected] or [email protected]..

This program permits AUSA members to purchase these titles at a discounted rate. Graphic novels about Medal of Honors awardees and military history subjects are also available to read online or download at no cost. For information go to https://www.ausa.org/book-program.

Veterans Job Club

The Veterans Job Club is held at the Ioannis A. Lougaris Veterans' Medical Center, Tahoe Room C5330, 975 Kirman Ave. in Reno

The meeting is held on the third Thursday from 1-2 p.m. Many local, state and regional organizations will be hand to answer questions.

For more information, contact Joseph Henle a 775-297-9637 or Theo Thompson, 775-625-6790.

Guard retiree meetings

The Nevada Air Guard's monthly breakfast is on the second Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at the Reno Elks Club.

The Nevada Army Guard's breakfast is on the second Monday of the month at 8 a.m. at the Carson City Elks Club.

Veterans' assistance

Veterans Crisis Line — The confidential crisis chat has three ways to obit help. The Veterans Crisis Line is 1-800-273-8255, press 1. Chat at Veterans CrisisLine.net or text to 838255.

Adult health center — More to Life adult day health center is here to help families. For information go to www.adultdaycarereno.com or call 775-358-1988.

Northern Nevada Wheelchair Program — The program serves Northern Nevada by recycling serviceable medical equipment and clothing. This program is supported by the American Legion, Community 4 Veterans, Disable American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Call or text 760-500-0857 or email [email protected].

If you have a military event, submit your information to [email protected].

Distributed by Newsbank, inc.