August 31 Today in OPC History

A Marine Corps veteran of WWII, Larry Vail flew with bomber crews in the South Pacific. When he returned home to Philadelphia after the war, he married Jane Fitch on this day in 1946. Larry and Jane enjoyed sixty years together and were blessed with two daughters, Susan and Diane.

After his military service ended, Larry studied at Houghton College in Houghton, New York, and Westminster Seminary. He was ordained and installed on January 9, 1956, as a home missionary for the Presbytery of the Dakotas. As a home missionary, he helped start Immanuel OPC in Thornton, Colorado. He would go on to pastor Grace OPC, Vienna, Virginia, and Covenant OPC, Vineland, New Jersey. He was honored in 1974 by being elected to serve as Moderator of the 41st General Assembly meeting at Palos Heights, Illinois. He also served as the General Secretary of the Committee on Foreign Missions from 1979 to 1983.

Picture: Larry and Jane Vail.