The doors are now wide open! Therefore, if you have not already done so as an “Early Bird”, please get your reservations in as soon as possible for either a full table or individual seating at our 14th annual “Salute to the Family” dinner which will be held at 6:30 p.m., Friday, May 15, in the JMU Festival Conference and Student Center. See program details and reservation information below.
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The Background: For Liberty
Every Salute has a different theme, and this year’s “Celebration of Liberty” is particularly timely and important.
Like no other period in American history, our Judeo-Christian values and religious freedoms are under attack on the home front – encouraged by the Obama administration’s support for abortion, for same-sex “marriage”, and for “transforming” our culture in ways that are actively hostile to Christianity.
It’s not an exaggeration. In the crosshairs of a vicious and badly misguided reaction to Indiana’s recently approved “Religious Freedom Restoration Act”, Gov. Mike Pence is only the most recent example of what the homosexual lobby does to those who take a stand for freedom of conscience.
The list of victims is growing rapidly to include florists, bakers, photographers, printers, wedding coordinators, bed and breakfast owners, educators, civil servants — and even military chaplains and church pastors who refuse to endorse or to participate in their immoral agenda and activities.
The fight for liberty goes on.
A Champion of Liberty: Rafael Cruz
That is why we are delighted to have as our featured speaker Rafael Cruz, father of Texas Senator and now presidential candidate Ted Cruz.
Born in Cuba, he lived and suffered under a cruel, oppressive dictator. Fighting against the Batista regime as a teenager, he was imprisoned, tortured, and nearly killed simply because he wanted to be free.
Arriving in America with little more than the clothes on his back, Cruz worked his way through the University of Texas, built a small business, and later joined the State Board of the Religious Roundtable to help mobilize people of faith during the 1980 Presidential election.
An ordained minister and Director of “Grace for America”, Cruz travels the country sharing his story, speaking about the Judeo-Christian values and Constitutional principles on which America was founded, and encouraging a renewal of that faith and great resolve that made it such an exceptional nation.
With Southern Hospitality
We are also pleased to welcome for the first time the Southern Hospitality men’s ensemble who will provide the bookends for the Cruz message with an inspiring medley of blue-grass, country, patriotic, and spiritual selections.
The evening will also include presentations of our annual and much anticipated Wilberforce and Daniel awards!
For Dinner Reservations
If you have not yet made your reservations, you can do so by return e-mail or call (540) 438-8966. Tables for eight are still available for $200, as well as single seats for $25/person.
You may then send your check to the Valley Family Forum, 3465 Izaak Walton Dr., Harrisonburg, VA 22801. Upon receipt, you will receive a confirmation letter with additional information.
If you are reserving a table or tables, you can provide names of guests later.
Pastors’ Afternoon Roundtable
As an added bonus, we are also inviting pastors and lay leaders to an exclusive Liberty Roundtable presentation and discussion led by Alliance Defending Freedom, which is America’s premier defender of religious liberty in court cases brought by groups like the ACLU – even against churches and pastors.
The Roundtable will be held on the same day from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and in the Allegheny Room which is located in the same building as the dinner. There is no charge, but reservations are requested as noted above.
In the Cause of Liberty – for God and Country!
Dean