Military, First Responders & Veterans

This mission is near and dear to RGPC. We support all who serve, and are serving the USA.

This group is dedicated to creating an online community for all active military, veterans, first responders and their families. group has a language and experience all of its own and we are dedicated to giving you a space and place in which to interact and engage with others who know that life.


We also seek to support the families of all those who have served, as well. We welcome you here to your very own community. Thank you Jesus for every soldier & first responder protecting & serving us through this night. Like warm covers in the cold, blanket them in your love & our prayers of gratitude.


Rosedale Gardens became a “Military Caring Congregation” through Military Caring Network, USA. As a congregation, we expanded our ministry of serving those who serve to include first responders and families of both military and first responders.



You can reach out to Dave via Email - dlaycock@rosedalegardens.org

2020 Memorial Day Video



JOIN US IN HONORING

OUR VETERAN OF THE MONTH


Join Us in Honoring Our Veteran of the Month!


We are recognizing John Howard Orendach, Airman First Class, United States Air Force, as our Veteran of the Month for September.


September is an appropriate month to honor John Howard Orendach, as he was born on September 29, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois. The son of Carl and Marcella Swanson, John was a proud veteran who served for four years in the U.S. Air Force from September 27, 1951 through September 26, 1955.


When John left for his first training station, he was told to take the following: “4 towels, 4 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of underwear, 4 wash cloths and one pair of shoes that are easy on your feet.” From January–March 1952, John attended the General Jet Aircraft School at the Amarillo Air Force Base in Amarillo, Texas, training to be a jet aircraft mechanic. From there, he completed Jet Engine Specialist Training at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois in June of 1952. His most significant duty assignment was at the Headquarters of the 10th Air Force, stationed with the 30th Air Division / Air Defense Command, at Selfridge Air Force Base in Michigan. The 30th Air Division, which was active from 1949-1968, then moved to the Willow Run Air Force Station in Belleville, MI, where John was stationed until his separation in 1955. The command was responsible for equipping, administering, training and operations for the Air Defense of the Upper Great Lakes. John spent his entire enlistment within the United States, and during his service, he was awarded the National Defense Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.


After leaving the Air Force, John worked as a vehicle heating and cooling Design Engineer for GM’s Cadillac Division in Detroit. During that time, he traveled to upstate New York, Phoenix, and the Rocky Mountains to test the systems he helped design. He enjoyed his time at General Motors and made many lifelong friends, retiring in 1995.

John was an active sailor, and taught his family and friends how to sail. He took part in sailboat racing leagues on Lake St Clair, and loved to sail from Port Huron to Northport.


John and Diane (also known as Faye) joined Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church in 1959 and were active members until 1995, when they relocated to Florida. As a Deacon, John helped design the food pantry and its services. He was a faithful servant to his parents until they passed, and he enjoyed visits from his family and grand- and great-grandchildren.


John passed away on June 9, 2024. He was preceded in death by his wife, Diane, in 2023, and was laid to rest in Great Lakes National Cemetery. He is survived by his three children: Scot (Cynthia) Orendach, LeeAnn (Larry Dye), and Lisa (John Zielinski), his five grandchildren, and his six great-grandchildren.