20-Year Celebration at Adult Rehabilitation Center

On Sunday, 27 September 2009, the Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center in Bladensburg, Maryland celebrated 20 years in the current location. Supporting the celebrations was a combined band from the Alexandria Citadel and Arlington Citadel Corps, led by Arlington Citadel bandmaster Keith Morris.

The cafeteria at the ARC was packed to capcity for the event. As the crowd came in, the combined band provided music, including Golden Jubilee (Milton Kippax), Come, Holy Spirit (Douglas Court), Great is the Lord, A.R.C. Centennial (Stephen Bulla) and Shine, Jesus Shine (arr. Richard Phillips, trans. Martyn Scott Thomas).

Highlights of the meeting included a moving testimony from ARC alumnus Jeff Delaney, who was a resident at the Center when it moved to Bladensburg. Jeff has remained sober following his graduation from the program and now is an employee of the federal Transportation Security Agency. Presentations were made on behalf of the County Executive of Prince George’s County, the Governor of Maryland and the Mayor of the District of Columbia (this center services residents of both Maryland and the District). Vocalist Deborah Bearchell sang Amazing Grace, reprising her performance from the dedication of the building 20 years ago. Major John Jordan, who was the Administrator of the ARC during the time that the current location was selected and constructed, gave a stirring sermon as the highlight of the service.

The band played Ivor Bosanko’s march Marching Onward, featuring the song “I’ll Go in the Strength of the Lord”, as a postlude.