Owners of The Gospel Mission Food Pantry, Jeff and Candy Waite, were awarded the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor for their years of commitment to the community. Jeff and Candy Waite accepted their award from Bill Kaemmer, who is the executive director of the Four Chaplains. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

MARIETTA — Gospel Mission Food Pantry owners Candy and Jeff Waite were awarded with the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor on Sunday.

The Ronnie W. Davis Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5108 hosted the 2025 Recognizing Excellence Awards Gala which began at 2 p.m.

The Four Chaplains Legion of Honor recognizes members of society who serve their community unconditionally.

The Gospel Mission Food Pantry on Lancaster Street opened September 23, 2011, after the Waite’s felt called to ministry in 2009.

Their food pantry is a non-profit organization and according to the Waites, they don’t accept any governmental assistance otherwise it would take away from their mission to spread God’s word and help the community.

The 2025 Recognizing Excellence Awards Gala included the commission of the new Kentucky Colonels. The Kentucky Colonel is one of the highest honors by the Governor of Kentucky and recognizes individuals for their dedication to others. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

“We are so humble to receive this blessed award,” said Candy Waite. “We feed the people and we feed people spiritually as well as physically.”

The Waites received the Legion of Honor for their years of dedication to the community. “These two have a warm spot in my heart,” said Bernie Lyons who is a Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion and Kentucky Colonel.

The Gospel Mission Food Pantry donates anything from food to clothing which is given without charge. “They depend entirely on donations,” said Lyons.

The Waites were among three others, Roy Sees, Bryan Reeder and Robert Hockenberry, who also earned the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor.

Before the presentation of the Four Chaplains awards, Bill Kaemmer, the Four Chaplains executive director, gave the opening remarks that included a brief history of the Four Chaplains.

The second round of awards at the 2025 Recognizing Excellence Awards Gala presented those chosen for the Four Chaplains honors. The Four Chaplains recognizes individuals for their devotion and service to their community. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

“I spent almost 30 years in the military as a chaplain assistant, and one of the things I learned is that chaplains are called to serve,” said Kaemmer.

In 1943, four chaplains, a Methodist, a Jewish Rabbi, a Roman Catholic Priest and a Dutch Reformed minister, gave their life jackets to survivors on the U.S. Army Transport Dorchester as it sank.

“The story of four chaplains, it’s really a story of selfless service. It just happened to be chaplains, but chaplains are kind of special,” said Kaemmer.

From 2-4:30 p.m., guests enjoyed dinner provided by Wilky’s Sports Bar while listening to the speakers. Before the Four Chaplains awards, James Booth, Mark Warden, Michelle White, Alfred “Gene” Venham, Jason Malec, Jack Haas, and Jack Downs were commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel, a recognition of service to others and is bestowed on behalf of the governor of Kentucky.

The Four Chaplains awards also included:

Jeff and Candy Waite accepted their Four Chaplains Legion of Honor at the 2025 Recognizing Excellence Award Gala Sunday. Their nonprofit, The Gospel Mission Food Pantry, is located on 309 Lancaster St., Marietta. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

* Junior Legion of Honor: Cole Stine and Liberty Smith

* Humanitarian Award: Gary Ward

* Distinguished Service Medal: Brad Webb

* Bronze Medallion: Michael A. Tucker

Guests who attended the 2025 Recognizing Excellence Awards Gala Sunday enjoyed food provided by Wilky’s Sports Bar after the introductions from Jared Smith, Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion and Kentucky Colonel. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

The Ronnie W. Davis Memorial VFW Post #5108 sponsored the 2025 Recognizing Excellence Awards Gala at 319 Pike Street on Sunday. The cake featured details for the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor awards and the commission of the Kentucky Colonels. (Photo by Amber Phipps)