William "Bill" Saunders was born in New York City in 1935 and raised on Johns Island, South Carolina.  At age fifteen, Saunders did not disclose his correct age and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1951.  He encountered the North Koreans, stepping on a booby trap in the snow in 1951.  Although he was injured, the Army denied him a Purple Heart until it was finally awarded to him in a special ceremony at The Citadel, the Military College in Charleston, in 2002.  He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1954.

In the 1960s, Saunders gained a reputation as an advocate of racial equality.  Frustrated hospital workers sought Saunders’s assistance in forming an organization to advocate for their rights.  During the Charleston Hospital Strike in 1969, Saunders was arrested and jailed briefly.  He immediately joined the demonstrators upon his release.  Saunders encouraged a negotiated settlement for the strike with hospital leaders, and he later advocated for re-hiring the terminated hospital workers.  After the strike, Saunders founded the Committee on Better Racial Assurance (COBRA) and co-owned a radio station.

Mr. Saunders is the Founder and former Chief Executive Officer of the Committee on Better Racial Assurance (COBRA) Human Services Agency in Charleston, South Carolina.  He is also the former owner and president of several area radio stations, including WPAL Radio Charleston. 

Mr. Saunders has given many years to the Charleston County Democratic Party and was elected to the Charleston County O.E.O. Commission in 1967.  He served as a member of the Public Service Commission of South Carolina, representing the First Congressional District from 1994 - 2004 and served as the Chairman of the Public Service Commission in 2002.  He has earned both local and national praise for his impressive work in the Lowcountry.  He is the First Black broadcaster to serve as the SC Broadcasters Association President in 1988 and the First Black broadcaster to be inducted in the SCBA Hall of Fame. He is a past recipient of the NAACP Outstanding Service Award and the American Federation Silver Medal ADDY Award.  He also was inducted into the University of South Carolina College of Journalism and Mass Communication Diamond Circle, among many other notable achievements.

Mr. Saunders’ community involvements are numerous and extensive and include membership in the National Association of Broadcasters, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, National Water Commission, Trident Technical College Foundation, and the Medical University of South Carolina President’s Advisory Council, among many others. 

Mr. Saunders is retired and still resides with his wife, Henrietta, on Johns Island, SC.  

Lawrence (Larry) Wood is United States Air Force retiree (1989-2018), serving in the Gulf War, Dessert Shield, Desert Storm and the Global War on Terrorism. After he retired from the service honorably and faithfully with numerous medals and awards, Larry took on a Probation job, where he works for Veterans Treatment Court and quickly rose up to a supervisor where he was relied upon as the departments Veteran subject matter expert for dealing with Veterans and the resources to provide. After five years, Larry transitioned to the Department of Homeland Security as a Law Enforcement Training Technician where he became part of the DHS Veterans Resource Employment Assistance (VREA) team. Larry became certified as a Peer Support Team Member and a Peer Support Team Leader. He was also trained as a mentor and staff member for Veterans Treatment Court, Drug Court, and other specialty courts where he assisted Veterans with aid in homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, as well as other mental health issues and disorders with their military service and post service. With his past experience when he was active duty Human Resources, his experience with benefits, HUD VASH, education, and DEERS has assisted tremendously.

Larry was the Drug Demand Officer with the Young Marines teaching the kids on a monthly basis for drugs and health and wellness, also mentoring them to present topics as well to the community. He assisted with Elks Lodge Veterans committee supporting veterans facing homelessness with basic necessities, housing and offering a hot meal at the lodge monthly. Larry also participates in the Honor Guard to help honor Veterans for their past service. Larry is heavily involved with many Veteran organizations such as American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Wounded Warrior Project, (WWP), Charleston Warriors, Palmetto Military Support Group, Elks Lodge Veteran Committee, Young Marines, Civil Air Patrol, and other Veterans Council as well as others.

In 2022, Larry became part of the South Carolina Warriors (Charleston) Disabled Veterans Sled Hockey Program. Larry is not only a participant, but promoted that they offer those with mobility issues to be part of a team. With his fundraising efforts, Larry was able to raise $6,000 for the program and quickly became the fundraising officer for the program.

South Carolina Warriors is the only program like this in the state. This program is actively looking to start other efforts in different regions of the state. It is important to be involved with programs like this because sports and recreation programs can help Veterans and adults establish lifelong, healthy physical activity patterns. Physical activity has been known to improve mobility, build strength, increase confidence, and enhance the quality of life. This helps with suicide prevention as well as the use of adaptive sports is a form of medicine for the participants. Larry always volunteers to help, especially with Veterans. He loves to help and share his knowledge with other Veterans in need. Larry has gone to the local school and talked to students about his military career. Larry served for 29 years and had an extraordinary career. Some of his positions held were firefighter, chemical warfare, rescue swimmer, security/ law enforcement, information management, personnel, administration, and recruiting.

Assignments:

• 1989-1992 USS Sides FFG-14. Firefighter/ Chemical Warfare/ Rescue Swimmer
• 1992-1994 USS Elliot DD-967 Firefighter/ Chemical Warfare
• 1994-1995 Naval Station San Diego Firefighting Instructor
• 1995-1998 NAS North Island, CA, Small Craft Engineer and Coxswain, Maritime Security, Oil Spill Recovery
• 1998-2001 HQ STARC, Camp Guernsey, WY. Firefighter, training NCO 2001 158th Security Forces, VT. Security
• 2001-2005 NRC Glens Falls, NY. Seabees, firefighter, small craft
• 2005-2006 158th Civil Engineering, VT. Firefighter
• 2006-2007 158th Mission Support Flight, VT. Information Systems Management
• 2007-2011 158th Force Support Flight, VT. Enlisted and Officer Recruiting
• 2011 158th Force Support Flight, VT. Cyber Support, Administration 2011 158th Force Support Flight, VT. Installation Personnel Readiness
• 2012-2014 158th Force Support Flight, VT. Human Resources/ PME Instructor
• 2014-2018 HQ Recruiting, JBSA Randolph, TX. Recruiting/ Operations Analyst

His final duty was as Headquarters, JBSA Randolph, TX. He retired with a substantial number of awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal (2), Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal, and Navy Achievement Medal (2). He also had the Headquarters Air Force Badge, Honor Guard Badge, Air Force Professional Military Education Badge, Recruiting Badge, Expert pistol and rifle badges, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, and Enlisted Petty Officer in Charge Small Craft. Larry’s family includes his wife Lanelle and his dog Bella.

Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Robert L. Clark is a native of South Carolina. He entered the Army and graduated from One Station Unit Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma March 1986 as an Artillery Crewman and retired in April 2018 with over 32 years of active-duty service in the US Army. His previous assignments while on active duty include 1st Battalion 10th Field Artillery and 5th Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, 3rd Infantry Division Schweinfurt, Germany; 3rd Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, 24th Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia; 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment and Reception Battalion at Fort Jackson, South Carolina; 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division (SBCT) at Fort Lewis, Washington; 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team in Baumholder, Germany; Fires Test Directorate at Fort Sill, Oklahoma; 2nd Battalion, 307th Field Artillery Regiment (Training Support) at Camp Atterbury, Indiana; 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery, 1AD DIVARTY, Fort Bliss, Texas and 4th Battlefield Coordination Detachment, ARCENT at Shaw AFB, SC.

CSM Clark is a graduate of the Defense Support of Civil Authority Course (DCSA), Command Sergeant Major Development Course, and all the Non-Commission Officers Education System courses, to include the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, First Sergeant Course, Pre-Command Course, Drill Sergeant School, Combat Lifesaver Course, Unit Movement Officer Course, Field Sanitation Course, and Small Arms Maintenance Course along with many more. CSM Clark holds an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Columbia Junior College, an Associate Degree in Administration Management from Excelsior College, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership from Columbia Southern University.

CSM Clark’s military awards and decorations include the Drill Sergeant Badge, Combat Action Badge, Driver Badge Track, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster and two bronze oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal with sliver oak leaf cluster and two bronze oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal ten award, and various deployment and campaign ribbons. CSM Clark is also a member of the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, recipient of the Ancient Order and the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara, Noble Patron of Armor, and the Order of Saint Maurice. For over 32 years, in combat and peacetime, CSM Clark excelled as a leader and demonstrated unwavering commitment to Soldiers, Family members and mission accomplishment. 

CSM (R) Robert L. Clark has been married to the former Veronica Edwards of Charleston, South Carolina for over 36 years. They have two children, Robert Jr. (Sonny) and Veronne (Babygirl). Clark has achieved remarkable accomplishments during his tenure as Commander, demonstrating unwavering commitment to the values and mission of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). CSM Clark's dedication to serving Veterans extended beyond his role as Chapter 20 Commander, as evidenced by his various additional volunteer and appointed positions he held within the South Carolina Department of Disabled Americans Veterans organization:

1. DAV Department assistant State Convention Chairman (2022-2024)
2. DAV Dorn VA Hospital Patient Transportation Specialist (2019-2024)
3. DAV Department Chief of Staff (2021-2023)
4. National Deputy Chief of Staff (2021-2023)
5. DAV Department State Convention Chairman (2020-2022)
6. DAV District II Aide to Committeemen (2019-2020)

His commitment to Veterans' causes is exemplified by the positions he held and the roles he undertook in other organizations:

1. Columbia Branch NAACP Armed Forces & Veteran Affairs Committee Chairman
2. Palmetto Pathfinder for the South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs
3. South Carolina Democratic Party Veterans Council
4. Dorn VA Hospital Certified Volunteer
5. Lifetime member of the VFW.

His leadership has not only strengthened the 92nd Buffalo Chapter 20 but also enriched the lives of its members and the community. CSM Clark’s desire and passion to empower Veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity motivated and inspired the 92nd Buffalo Chapter 20 to enhance the lives of countless Veterans and their families, in consistent with the mission of the South Carolina Department of Disabled American Veterans, “Keeping Our Promise to American’s Veterans”.

Laura Robbins is United States Air Force Veteran (1989-1998), serving in the Gulf War and Dessert Shield. After she separated from service with an Honorable Discharge and numerous medals and awards for her service, Laura took her experience as an Information Manager and transitioned to an Administrative Assistant in a corporate setting. Over a few short years, Robbins rose to the level of Executive Assistant, supporting the Chief Executive Officer and Board Chief of a multi-million-dollar company.

Robbins is a Dually Certified Peer Support Specialist working with individuals struggling with substance misuse and mental health illness at a nonprofit organization. She is an Alcohol and Drug Counselor-In Process and is a recent graduate from Liberty University with her Masters in Addictions Counseling. Laura received her Certification in Addiction Treatment in Military and Veteran Culture through the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) and is a Certified South Carolina Palmetto Pathfinder.

In January 2004, Laura began her personal journey away from substance misuse to a life of recovery and sobriety. This change eventually led her to a path of helping others struggling with addiction in her community as an Addictions Counselor and Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS).

In 2019, Robbins got her start at Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR) Piedmont which covers six counties in upper South Carolina. She began her CPSS work with the adult drug court diversion programs, and more recently with the Veterans Court Alternative Program (VCAP) in the 6th and 16th circuits. In 2021, Robbins started the first virtual Veterans Recovery Support Groups for Veterans struggling with addiction, life/military transitions, and mental health support in her area. She now conducts individual Telehealth sessions with Veterans enrolled in VCAP, self-referrals, and other community referrals. The contributions Robbins makes help to remove the stigma about addiction and mental health, while bringing light to the importance of our Veteran population.

Robbins' family includes her daughter and three dogs.

WATCH her profile HERE.

Alton Jenkins has been selected by SCDVA's Internal Selection Committee as the newest Veteran of the Quarter (July - September 2023).

Alton Jenkins served in the US Army as a Generator Lead Technician. He deployed twice to Afghanistan, the first time he was deployed he served with DSTB 82nd Airborne. During one of his deployments his Platoon rebuilt and recovered many MRAPS, Generators, Buffaloes, MATV that were hit by IED’s or direct/indirect fire. Their shop was the first shop to test drive and license on MATV’s in Afghanistan.  In stride, Jenkins is always grateful, stating the following about his comrades: “We're like family! We worked hard but played even harder. I can’t thank my chief enough for accepting me into his platoon.” 

Jenkins currently serves as the Director of Veterans Affairs for Jasper County. He assists Veterans and their families in accessing military and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. He answers questions and advises Veterans on federal and state benefit programs as well as helping their dependents file claims, representing them in VA hearings, directing them to appropriate resources, and providing educational materials. Jenkins is known to take a personal journey with each Veteran, each family member, and each person he works with being proactive instead of reactive in every aspect of his job.

He is also in tune with the community he grew up in, moving back to Jasper County to give back.  He started his own nonprofit to mentor students called MotivateYourGrowth Inc to provide quality performance training to inner city student-athletes, along with gathering resources and educational support to further develop collegiate opportunities. Jenkins works with the County Police Agency to assist with the local PIT Count for homelessness, serves as a Palmetto Pathfinder with SCDVA, assists with Jasper County Youth Football, RLVET, and collaborates with other CVAOs to head up a Veterans Day Parade and a Rural Lowcountry Veterans Engagement Team to solve issues such as homelessness, transportation, and employment in the rural counties.

WATCH his profile HERE.

United States Army First Sergeant Alvin King has been selected by SCDVA's Internal Selection Committee as the newest Veteran of the Quarter (April - June 2023).

1SG King served in the United States Army from December 1998 to December 2018. He served several deployments including: Operation Joint Forge (Bosnia) 2000, 2001; Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) 2002, 2003, 2004; Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) 2005, 2010; and Operation New Dawn (Iraq) 2011. King served several assignments before retiring as a First Sergeant Senior Intelligence Advisor. Those assignments included: 2/3 Special Forces Group (Airborne) Fort Bragg, NC; 4/4 Aviation Reconnaissance Battalion [4th Infantry Division] Fort Hood, TX; 157th Infantry Brigade Fort Jackson, SC; 3/7 Infantry [3rd Infantry Division] Fort Stewart, GA; and US Army Central, Shaw Air Force Base, SC.

Upon completing his sophomore year in college, 1SG King realized that school was not for him. At the time, he was searching for more direction in his life; inevitably, he stumbled upon an opportunity to join the US Army. While at first, 1SG King was hesitant, the moment he signed his name on the dotted line, he knew that he had found what he had been searching for. King says that the culture of camaraderie and the brotherhood in the military was like nothing he had ever experienced. Since leaving the military, 1SG King has authored the book, Purpose Fulfilled: A Guide to a Life Well Lived; started a consulting company specializing in leadership development and mentorship; and traveled around the state to different organizations and schools, delivering talks as a keynote speaker. Additionally, in 2018, 1SG King launched King Fore A Day, a charity golf tournament designed to give back to Veteran nonprofit organizations in the Midlands. Since its inception, King Fore A Day has filled all 36 teams for the past three consecutive years. Thanks to sponsors and tournament participants, up to $20,000 have been donated to nonprofits, including Hidden Wounds, Project Josiah, and PGA HOPE (Columbia). Most recently, donations from King Fore A Day facilitated funding for the Tammy Finney VA Volunteer Scholarship—awarded to Serena Parmar, a first-year student at the University of South Carolina selected for her commitment to serve Veterans at the Dorn VA through the VA Youth Program. 

The success of King Fore A Day inspired other Veterans and 1SG King to found Range Fore Hope Foundation, a military nonprofit organization. Its mission is to facilitate outdoor activities as a positive outlet for active-duty service members, Veterans (combat and disabled), and their dependents to help them overcome life's difficulties attributed to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The organization believes that providing programs and resources to Veterans and their families directly impacts their healing process. Additionally, their inclusive approach encourages participation amongst adaptive sports participants—the nonprofit's framework provides an equitable environment for those we serve. After the nonprofit’s inception, King launched a six-month golf program that catered to military communities at Fort Jackson and Shaw Air Force Base. 

Range Fore Hope Foundation is nationally recognized as a certified adaptive golf instruction program and became a US Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA) member. With an emphasis on adaptive golf, King's organization hosted the inaugural golf charity tournament, Fairways to Freedom. All proceeds went towards purchasing a ParaGolfer, an all-terrain power wheelchair typically used for golfers with high-level spinal cord injuries. 1SG King's organization hosts weekly free golf lessons on Wednesdays from 5-6:30 p.m. at James Clyburn Golf Center and Thursdays from 5-6:30 p.m. at Cobblestone Park.

Range Fore Hope joined the South Carolina Veteran Coalition this past Spring. You can read more on the partnership and WATCH more on how Range Fore Hope is inspiring Veterans by clicking HERE.

Hear what Alvin King had to say about being selected as Veteran of the Quarter and how the program continues to honor Veterans by clicking HERE.

Lamont Christian, a retired Army Command Sergeant Major and Director of the Warrior PATHH Program at The Big Red Barn Retreat in Blythewood has been selected by SCDVA's Internal Selection Commitee as the newest Veteran of the Quarter (January - March 2023).

“I am extremely pleased to have been recognized as SCDVA Veteran of the Quarter," says Christian. "The honors go to all my fellow team members at The Big Red Barn Retreat, as it is largely due to their collective attitudes and efforts that I have got this far.”

"No one deserves this acknowledgement of being selected as Veteran of the Quarter more so than Lamont Christian," says David Williams, the former Executive Director of The Big Red Barn Retreat. "He is out there every day helping Veterans who are struggling and making a difference in their lives for not only those Veterans in Midlands but throughout the entire state. It's an honor to serve with him at The Big Red Barn Retreat and see the difference he is making firsthand every day. I also really appreciate the South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs for recognizing our Veterans, like Lamont Christian, and how they continue to serve in a different capacity helping our fellow Veterans in South Carolina."

Lamont Christian, is a native of Brooklyn, New York and resides in Elgin, SC. He entered the Army Reserves as a Parachute Rigger in 1986 and later entered active duty, completing Infantry One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served his country as a Noncommissioned Officer from 1986 to 2018, serving in several combat operations during Desert Shield/ Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).

Christian held every leadership capacity from Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, Command Sergeant Major, Commandant and Post Command Sergeant Major. His assignments included tours of duty with The Army Training Center and Fort Jackson, The United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy, Fort Jackson; 101st Airborne Div. (AASLT) Fort Campbell, Kentucky; 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy, Fort Benning, Georgia; 82nd Airborne Division, 18th Airborne Corps, United States Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

He is recognized around the world as "America’s Drill Sergeant" having led the Army’s only Drill Sergeant Academy and having his voice premiered in the Gatorade HARD WORK military cadence commercial and also for being the Army’s Senior Enlisted Leader for the Commander of the world’s largest training post and center of excellence for initial military training at Fort Jackson. 

Since retiring in 2018, after 33 years of service, he continues to assist nonprofit organizations, Law Enforcement and First Responder organizations by providing leadership, training improvement and development. He serves the community at-large nationwide in various causes for the betterment of social, economic and progressing services for veterans and those who support veterans and their Families. He has sat on countless committees of change to include the Hawaii Supreme Court Subcommittee Member for equality in the Courts and the National Major Gang Task Force and has been recognized as the Midlands Chamber of Commerce 2022 Military Advocate of the Year. He is currently serving as a Richland County Reserve Deputy and the Director of the Warrior PATHH Program at The Big Red Barn Retreat in Blythewood.

We thank Lamont Christian for past and present service to our nation's military and the great state of South Carolina!  

SCDVA is sending a special congratulations to U.S. Army Sergeant, Brennan Beck as our VERY FIRST Veteran of the Quarter for October-December 2022!

SGT Beck was selected by our Internal Selection Committee after he was nominated by his wife for Veteran of the Week! Brennan is a former SCDVA staffer and served as our Lowcountry Regional Integration Officer.

SGT Beck and his family recorded this special message after learning of his honor as the Veteran of the Quarter. You can WATCH by clicking the link below! SGT Beck is NOW officially in the running to become the South Carolina Veteran of the Year, to be named in November 2023. 

SGT Beck joined the Army as an infantryman five days after graduating high school. During his four and a half years of active duty he completed two year-long deployments to Iraq with the 1st Infantry Division and 172nd Infantry Brigade and served alongside heroes like Medal of Honor recipient, Specialist Ross McGinnis. SGT Beck was honorably discharged from the Army in 2010 and went on to pursue his post-secondary education as a first-generation college student utilizing the Post 9-11 G.I. Bill. Despite dealing with physical and mental injuries from combat wounds received in Iraq, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in English.

After graduation, SGT Beck and his family moved to South Carolina where he began working for Clemson University’s English Department. In 2016, Brennan transitioned into Student Affairs to serve as Clemson’s inaugural Director for Military and Veteran Engagement, the first full-time staff position fully committed to serving and supporting Clemson’s student veterans and military-connected students. In this role, he directed the Clemson Military & Veteran Engagement Center, advised the Clemson Student Veterans Association and SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society Clemson Chapter, supported the Clemson University Veterans Commission, and advocated for all military and veteran students and their families at Clemson. In September 2021, SGT Beck joined the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs as the Lowcountry Regional Integration Officer where he works with local, state, and federal entities to address Veteran issues and bring real solutions to pressing issues impacting Veterans across the Lowcountry. SGT Beck and his wife Ashley live in Summerville, SC, with their two children, Brynley and Gavin.

SGT Beck is a Lifetime Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), serves as the Secretary for the Lowcountry Veteran Engagement Team (LVET), a member of the Ralph H. Johnson VA Outreach Committee, an active Palmetto Pathfinder supporting South Carolina Veterans, and part of the Travis Manion Foundation's Spartan Leadership Program, one of 30 Veterans and Gold Star family members selected through a national search to participate. SGT Beck also volunteers his time as a guest speaker to educate undergraduate and graduate students interested in pursuing business, leadership, higher education, counseling, or Veteran services at Clemson University.