The Veterans Sunday program will recognize military veterans this weekend at Noblesville United Methodist Church.

In its ninth year, the program began as a veterans observance with patriotic songs, led by the church’s music director, Mary Resler.

Veterans Sunday grew larger about six years ago when church member and U.S. Navy veteran Don Roberts took it upon himself to ask the senior pastor Jack Wolfe if he could display his military memorabilia.

“Don made it more of a significant thing . . . more of an observance,” said Resler, whose Chancel Choir will perform twice on Sunday morning.

Roberts, 72, Noblesville, will get out his old military photos, Navy flag and memorabilia for a display he’s organizing for Sunday’s program at the church, 2051 Monument St. He said anybody with military memorabilia is invited to display their items.

He served from 1960 to ’62 on the Essex, an aircraft carrier, during the failed Bay of Pigs invasion to topple Castro. Roberts said a model USS Missouri battleship he built four years ago for Navy veteran and restaurant owner Eddie Mode will also be on exhibit Sunday.

Veterans Sunday is even bigger this year, since it’s the first time veterans will be honored with a gift. Roberts will stand and be recognized with other veterans who attend the 9:30 a.m. service, which about 600 people annually attend.

Veterans’ recognition will occur during all six of the congregation’s Sunday services, including a chapel service at 8:15 a.m., modern/traditional service at 9:30 a.m., traditional service at 10:45 a.m., contemporary service at 11 a.m. and Hispanic service at noon.

The church’s Chancel Choir will perform at 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. A full orchestra will accompany the choir at the 9:30 a.m. service in Celebration Hall, singing “His Truth is Marching On,” an arrangement of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Armed Forces Salute.”

The 38th Division Army Jazz Band will perform at 7 p.m. in Celebration Hall.

Roberts said he always looks forward to Resler’s musical selections for the choir. “She has come up with some wonderful renditions that almost bring tears to your eyes,” he said.

Although Roberts doesn’t sing, several veterans being honored will sing in the choir Sunday.

Retired U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Bill St. Dennis is one of them. “It makes me proud that I served my country and people are honoring us because we did.”

St. Dennis, 48, Noblesville, served as an electronics technician from 1979 to 1999.

Choir member Jim Washington, 73, Indianapolis, who served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to ‘57, in New York, said he’s proud to stand with those who served their country. “It’s a very moving event. For me, it’s pretty humbling. Singing some of those songs, I can get into a marching mood. I just feel kind of good.”