Parents Celebrated in Las Vegas
Contributed by Leslie Rigney
The Las Vegas celebration of the U.S. national holiday Parents’ Day was held on July 31 at the International Peace Education Center. Pictures of the couples who were to be honored were displayed on a large screen as the guests arrived. Whole families attended, children as well as grandparents. As they arrived, photographs were taken of them at the fountain. Corsages made with loving hands by two Unificationists were given to each parent and speaker. One Ambassador for Peace in attendance even made balloon animals for the children.
Japanese drums were played upstairs to call people to the ballroom for the start of the program. All the tables filled up. There was not an empty seat in the place; altogether 120 participants attended. Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) Continental Chairman of North America Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, FFWPU USA President Dr. Michael Balcomb, FFWPU Las Vegas Pastor Rev. Ken Doo, Universal Peace Federation (UPF) USA President Richard de Sena, and UPF USA Ambassador to Africa and the Caribbean Rev. Zagery Oliver were present to support the event. The beautiful printed programs contained articles about all the couples being honored, with the logos of all 10 organizations participating.
After a beautiful prayer was offered by Aslam Abdullah, the audience recited the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance, led by a father and daughter, Rev. Reggie Steward and Gia’italia W. Steward. The guests chatted happily as they lined up for a buffet dinner. The program started with “The Star-Spangled Banner” sung a cappella by a Unificationist-born young woman, Keneshia McDaniels. She sang beautifully with much heart and hit all the right notes! This was followed by a beautiful gospel hymn sung a cappella by members of the Ebenezer Church of God in Christ Choir of Rev. Bill and Faye McDonnell, one of the couples being honored.
UPF of Las Vegas Chair Katherine Duncan and Executive Director Leslie Rigney welcomed the guests, emphasizing that everyone there was one family under God. An official proclamation sent by Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval declaring July 24 as Parents’ Day in the state of Nevada was read by UPF USA President Richard de Sena, who also spoke about Parents’ Day as a designated day celebrated every year and how important it is to recognize good parents in our communities. Mr. de Sena praised Katherine Duncan for having just attended a seven-day Divine Principle workshop, and encouraged everyone to do so! He then introduced Dr. Ki Hoon Kim. Dr. Kim gave a wonderful message to the families about True Parents (“My parents,” he said!) and about the family centered on God being the starting point of the Kingdom of Heaven. He spoke of ownership and taking responsibility in our families, our communities, our schools and government. It was very well received by everyone.
A video was shown in which the children of each of the honored couples spoke about their parents and how much they appreciated them. Some were little children, others were teenagers, and another was a middle-aged man who appreciated his father still giving to others, even with Alzheimer’s disease. One community member was so inspired by True Father’s words that he offered his time and effort to make the videos without compensation, at a sacrifice to himself.
Awards and gifts were given to each of the honored couples. The honorees came on stage with their children to receive their Certificate of Recognition, and a picture was taken. After each family had received their certificate, all the families came up for a group picture, with the children in front holding the event banner.
Moreover, in the effort of UPF Las Vegas to bridge divides within the faith community, we successfully brought together representatives of the Mayor’s Faith Initiative, the Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada and the Churches of Southern Nevada.
The program ended with a wonderful performance on Japanese drums by a group of four ladies led by Taiko Kaminari. Participants chatted with each other and had more pictures taken downstairs. Some gathered around a piano where a wonderful pianist and tenor, “The Piano Man,” played and sang joyful Italian songs. The music reverberated throughout the hall!
If you have a Parents’ Day story to share, please visit family.org/share-a-story to submit any photos and text you would like to contribute!