By Betsy Finklea
A large crowd attended the Dillon County Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday, November 11, at 11 a.m. at the Dillon City-County Complex.
The purpose of the annual ceremony is “to celebrate, honor, and commemorate the dead and the living. The young men and women who in every way since this country began have given testimony to their loyalty to their country and their own great courage.”
Dillon Mayor Todd Davis gave the welcome and announcements. He said today was a day to celebrate those who gave all so we could live the way we want to live and express ourselves freely.
Dillon High School JROTC cadets—Timesha Clements, Tyese Tart, Deonte Thomas, and Makala Arnette—presented the colors.
Rev. James E. Williams, a Vietnam Veteran, gave the invocation.
The United States flag was raised by U.S. Army MSgt.-Ret. Terry Morris and U.S. Navy Seaman First Class Tony Peele while the South Carolina state flag was raised by Harry Moore (U.S. Army), Mallory Scott (U.S. Army), and U.S. Army CSM-Ret. George Pullie as Lynn Bowman sang the National Anthem.
USAF MSgt.-Ret. James Leslie led the Pledge of Allegiance.
This was followed by the presentation of the VFW George F. Spradley $1,000 Annual Scholarship by J. Reagan Walters (U.S. Army). This scholarship is presented annually to a Dillon County student who wins the essay competition. This year’s winner was Ashley Arnette. She wrote about her grandfather, Horace Arnette, a veteran and longtime Dillon County Councilman.
A Missing Man Ceremony was conducted by Dillon High School cadets—Xzavier Williams, Tanner Williams, and Deontae Thomas. A table was set, and the items on the table were explained. Those in attendance were asked to stand in honor of the POWs and MIAs.
Judge James E. Lockemy, U.S. Army MG-Ret., introduced the guest speaker, U.S. Army Maj.-Ret. John D. Sapp, Jr., the JROTC instructor at Dillon High School.
Sapp read two selections about what the soldier has given us and that freedom isn’t free.
Sapp said veterans need and deserve our support. He said many of today’s veterans were 16 and 17 years old when they went to fight. Some lied at the ages of 14 and 15 so they could go and fight.
They were without today’s technology—no cell phones, no e-mail, no satellite systems, no laser guided missiles, etc. Many were lucky to get a letter home. They fought hand to hand, face to face in a kill or be killed environment. The fought for something. They were the “real deal,” Sapp said.
Sapp then spoke of ways that parents could encourage their children to become involved with veterans. He said they could talk to children about a veteran they may know. They could invite a veteran to dinner. Children could be encouraged to save their money and donate it to a veterans cause. Parents could watch age-appropriate war movies with their children.
Sapp said parents could take their children to a parade or a ceremony and make it a family activity. Children could make cards or bake goods or pack care packages for veterans. They could visit graves of veterans and put out flags.
They could fly a flag at their home. One could tell a veteran how much they appreciate their service.
All of this will bring veterans and their sacrifice to a personal level with the children.
He said there are 20.2 million veterans living in America today, according to the census, and most are over the age of 60.
Sapp said we are losing our greatest generation, and we must help educate our children to their legacies will live on.
After Sapp’s remarks, students from the GEAR UP Program at Dillon High School—Chencilla Applewhite, Jaquiesha McLellan, and Jasmine Green—sang “God Bless America.”
Judge Lockemy read the names of the 67 deceased military members who have died since the last ceremony.
The memorial wreath was then placed by U.S. Army Col.-Ret. Joseph T. Griffin, Jr., USAF MSgt.-Ret. James Leslie, and U.S. Navy Seaman First Class Tony Peele. TAPS was played by Austin Green, a member of the Dillon High School JROTC.
The Veteran Of The Year award was then presented by last year’s recipient Jim Chavis. This year’s winner was Lloyd Eugene Brown. Brown was serving in the Air Force in Taiwan when he volunteered for temporary duty in Vietnam on two occasions. After serving honorably in the Air Froce, he made a life in civilian society. He is a member of the American Legion and VFW Posts. He is the senior vice-commander at the VFW. He was called a leader and a man who assumes responsibility, and someone who looks for ways to serve his community and the veteran community.
After receiving the award, Brown made brief remarks.
The Dillon High JROTC cadets retrieved the colors. Rev. Williams gave the benediction and blessed the food.
Light refreshments, provided by the Dillon County Helping Hands organization and the Dillon County Veterans Committee and assisted by the Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post 32 of Dillon, were served inside the Dillon City-County Complex building in honor of the Veteran of the Year.
Photos by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon Herald
