On November 6th, 2025, Watts Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Veterans of Watts Ministry (VOW) Ministry held its 3rd Annual Veterans Brunch for our Church Veterans in celebration and recognition of Veterans Day. The Veterans of Watts Ministry held this special event in recognition of Veterans Day and in honor of your dedicated service. Spouses, surviving spouses, and caregivers were invited to attend. The event was held in Watts Chapel Missionary Baptist Church’s multipurpose room in Raleigh, NC. Ms. Sharima Jackson, Ministry Leader of Veterans of Watts Ministry (VOW), gave the welcome and opening remarks, and Deacon Leslie Buford gave the opening prayer. Theme music for each branch of service remembered fellow veterans, church member Deacon Eugene Weeks, and MIA/POW. Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157 members and Ms. Wanda Jones, Veterans Service Officer with the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and members of the Buffalo Soldiers were honored to participate and recognize the veterans. The food and beverages were prepared and catered by Boswicks Catering Soul's Kitchen for the vegan option. Guest speakers at the event were: Mr. Jimmie Bellamy is the General Counsel for the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Mrs. Patricia A. Harris served as one of five National Vice Commanders (2022-2023) for The American Legion, representing the southeast region of the United States. She served as Post Commander at Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157 in Raleigh, NC. She is currently serving as Chair of the National Internal Affairs Commission. Legionnaire Harris is a future Inductee of the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Hall of Firsts. Presentations were given by: Ms. Shaunda Clark, Medicare/Marketplace, spoke about the health benefits. Mr. Ron R. White, a consultant of Oakfield Insurance Advisors, spoke about Medicare plans. A closing prayer was given by Deacon Leslie Buford at the end of a very successful event.

 

 

 

Ms. Sharima Jackson, Ministry Leader of Veterans of Watts Ministry (VOW), gave the welcome and opening remarks, and Deacon Leslie Buford gave the opening prayer.

 

Theme music for each branch of service remembered fellow veterans, church member Deacon Eugene Weeks, and MIA/POW.

 

Legionnaire Patricia A. Harris served as one of five National Vice Commanders (2022-2023) for The American Legion, representing the southeast region of the United States. Selected as a Woman Veteran Trailblazer for the 2025 Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Center for WomanVeterans (CWV) Trailblazers “Woman Veterans Forging a Path” initiative. She is the first woman veteran and African American to hold the position of State Commander of the North Carolina American Legion (elected in June 2013). Chairwoman of the National Legislative Commission 2023 - 2024, and now currently serves as the Chair of the National Internal Affairs Commission. Served as Post Commander at Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157 in Raleigh, NC, making her the first woman to hold the position. She is currently serving as Chair of the National Internal Affairs Commission. Legionnaire Harris is a future Inductee of the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Hall of Firsts.

 

Ms. Sharima Jackson Ministry Leader of Veterans Of Watts Ministry (VOW)

 

Legionnaire Greg Bethea and Mrs Denise Williams VOW secretary

 

Guest speakers Mrs. Patricia A. Harris served as one of five National Vice Commanders (2022-2023) for The American Legion, representing the southeast region of the United States. She served as Post Commander at Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157 in Raleigh, NC. She is currently serving as Chair of the National Internal Affairs Commission. Legionnaire Harris is a future Inductee of the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Hall of Firsts.

 

The food and beverages were prepared and catered by Boswicks Catering Soul's Kitchen for the vegan option.

 

Food and Fellowship

 

Legionnaire Henry Edmonds

 

Legionnaire Patricia A. Harris

 

 

The Pastor of Watts Chapel Missionary Baptist Church The Reverend Doctor Harry L White Jr, joined the event to wish the Veterans a Happy Veterans Day.

 

Mrs Janette Mazey and Belinda Whitaker welcoming and signing everyone into the event.

 

Signing in the Buffalo Soldiers

 

Legionnaire James Whitaker, Post Historian.

 

Legionnaire Greg Bethea, Ms. Wanda Jones, Veterans Service Officer with the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and Mr. Jimmie Bellamy is the General Counsel for the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

 

Food and Fellowship

 

Legionnaire Patricia Harris and Deacon Leslie Buford and the Veterans of Watts Chapel Church.

 

Ms.Shaunda Clark, Medicare/Marketplace, spoke about the health benefits, and Mr. Ron R. White, a consultant of Oakfield Insurance Advisors, spoke about Medicare plans.

 

Post Commander Gabriel Carr and Charles Whitaker, 1st Vice Commander.

 

Guest speakers Legionnaire Patricia A. Harris

 

 

 

Mr. Jimmie Bellamy, Legionnaire Greg Bethea, Reverend Doctor Harry L White Jr, Ms. Sharima Jackson, Mrs Denise Williams and Mr. Cedric Houston.

 

Belinda Whitaker serving and Robert Herbert going through the chow line.

 

The Buffalo Soldiers

 

Legionnaire Patricia Harris and Deacon Leslie Buford

 

Legionnaire James Whitaker, Post Historian.

 

Mr. Greg Harris, Mr. Reggie Sandlin and Ms. Wanda Jones, Veterans Service Officer

 

1st Vice Commander Charles Whitaker and Post Commander Gabriel Carr.

 

Pastor Harry L White Jr and Mrs Belinda Whitaker

 

Legionnaire Patricia Harris closing remarks

 

Legionnaire Greg Bethea congratulates Legionnaire Patricia Harris after her remarks.

 

 

Mrs. Denise Williams VOW secretary congratulating Ms. Sharima Jackson Ministry Leader of Veterans Of Watts Ministry on another successful Veteran’s Brunch.

 

 

Congratulations

 

Closing prayer was given by Deacon Leslie Buford at the end of a very successful event.

 

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