Chaplain John Bethell

John Bethell is the Laconia Fire Department's new chaplain. (Jon Decker/The Laconia Daily Sun photo)

LACONIA — Before moving to Laconia and starting a business, John Bethell served as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy. After settling in the area, Bethell found himself drawn once again to the communal aspect of being a chaplain and offered his services to the Laconia Fire Department.

“I got here about two years ago. I had been a Navy chaplain for years, and I think Laconia is a small enough town that everyone should do something for the town,” said Bethell, who owns Piedmont Print & Frame downtown. “Whatever your strength is, I think you should apply it to where you’re living to make it better.”

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