January 10, 2022
Our ‘Veteran of the Week’ is Bill Austin.
In the months leading up to the 49th POW Freedom Reunion, SCDVA will be honoring surviving POWs and telling their stories. This week we are PROUD to recognize Bill Austin as our “Veteran of the Week.” Below you will read his story, from him. He uses humor as he recalls his time in the US Airforce during the Vietnam War and what he’s doing now.
“I was born and raised in Greenville County. Clemson tolerated me for four years while I earned a Mechanical Engineering degree. After a year of negotiating for a pilot slot, I reported to OTS (Officer Training School) with a large envelope full of papers created by a board of two Generals and three Colonels (Cols.) that assured me a pilot slot, only to have it overruled by the AF SEC (Air Force Safety Center). I was assigned to Navigational Training (which I had turned down 3 times). Now I'm in the AF so off we go (we, meaning Myrtle Looper, my wife of 3+ months). Harlingen, TX was a 10-month honeymoon with lots of sunshine, water skiing, and new friends. About six weeks before graduating, AF changed course again, stating EWO school would take all technical majors in our class that are in the top one third of the class. At Keesler we were 268th on the base housing list but moved into a freshly renovated duplex along with our friends from OTS & NAV Training. We moved to Topeka KS, with 55th SRW, my choice, along with 5 of my classmates and friends of more than two years. We chose RB-47s over B-52s because we were the mission, unknown to us this was a permanent. Other than getting shot at by MIGS with missiles, and having them lock-on with radar most missions, it was a great tour.
I still wanted to fly fighters. Luck was with me, when the RC-135 replaced the RB-47 they didn't need as many EWOs, I was finally getting pilot training (as a Captain serving as class CO and Training Officer). T-37s were not my idea of a fighter, but the IP couldn't get the stick back from me when flying the T-38. I chose F-4s to Vietnam since it was the fastest way to upgrade to the front seat. On graduation day from F-4 training I came home to an upset wife. She had received a call from a Major at Nellis AFB welcoming and offering to get us housing. Myrtle told him we were leaving for SC, and I had 5 days to port call en route to SEA. Our household goods were headed for SC, and we only had travel clothes. The Major was right, I was going to Wild Weasel training at Nellis.
We had to go to SC unpack boxes in my uncles’ warehouse to get clothes for all, and back to Nellis. The Major and I were to take the first F4 Weasel birds to SEA, only the equipment failed from vibration under "Gs". I chose to go on to Ubon, Thailand with the “triple nickel”, where my AC in F-4 training was OPS Officers, and I knew Cols. Olds, James and Bartouf. I was shot down on my 81st mission and spent five and a half years as Missing in Action and a Prisoner of War (MIA/POW).
Homecoming was outstanding, with thousands welcoming us at Clarke AFB, PI & Hickham AFB, HI and finally my wife, children, and parents at Maxwell AFB. After two weeks of recorded debriefing, I was the last POW to leave Maxwell AFB. I asked why I was held after debriefing and the doctor explained they were trying to figure out why my blood was loaded with protein. Myrtle spoke-up, "You should see him eat six eggs with sausage, bacon and steak for breakfast.” The doctor then let me go. I had a huge welcome at the Greenville/Spartanburg Airport, with a limo ride to Greenville and down the "Golden Strip" with school children lining the streets of Mauldin, Simpsonville, and Ft. Inn.
Our home was decorated with a huge sign Myrtle's friend helped Molly and Billy make saying "WELCOME HOME DAD". I spoke every day in April, to civic groups, Veterans, DARs, schools, Churches, etc. They had all been supportive to my wife while I was a POW. Myrtle sold over 8,000 POW bracelets in one month from our home in Simpsonville. She received a large arrangement of flowers from President Nixon the day we got home, and she was recognized three years in a row in the publication "Outstanding Young Women of America".
I finished ACSC at Maxwell AFB and recertified in the T-38 aircraft en route to Myrtle Beach AFB. After checking out in the A-7D aircraft, I flew Manpower and Reserve Affairs until the A-10 replaced the last A-7 squadron there. My assignment to the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing TFW was most enjoyable because it was the best wing staff I had worked with in my career. I left Operations when the last A-7 squadron transferred to A-10s and took on a desk as Deputy Base Commander. After making Col. I transferred to Shaw AFB as Deputy CO and Base CO.
With the exception of missing flying, I loved the job, I had some outstanding people in my command, and they earned three "Best in the AF" unit awards and an excellent on the ORI. My last assignment was back where I started, at Clemson University as Professor of Aerospace Studies/ CO Det.770 AFROTC. It was a time consuming, enjoyable tour of duty. With the National Headquarters for Arnold Air Society followed by the National Headquarters for Angel Flight/Silver Wings the cadets had a lot of responsibility on them. I enjoyed working with many outstanding cadets and an outstanding staff of 4 Officers, 4NCOs backed up by an experienced secretary. It was a wonderful career including the many friends I made in the five and a half years as a POW. Our family grew as Molly was born at Keesler AFB MS, then Billy was born at Forbes AFB KA. Molly had two children Samantha and Cameron Stech. Molly died in 2020 from COVID. Billy and Dellanie had one son WRA IV(Wyck). We lost Myrtle in Dec 2020 after 60 years of marriage. I divide my time between our home near Clemson and our farm (where Billy and Dellanie live) near Simpsonville.”
PLEASE consider donating to the Vietnam POW Reunion Foundation to support next year's Reunion Gala by CLICKING HERE.
January 19, 2022
Our 'Veteran of the week" is Lieutenant Colonel USAF (Ret,) Thomas 'Tom' Hanton.
This week we are honoring another Vietnam POW, Lieutenant Colonel USAF (Ret.) Thomas ‘Tom’ J. Hanton.
Tom Hanton was born in Santa Monica, CA where his P-38 Fighter Pilot father was stationed after a WWII combat tour. He spent most of his formative years in the south. From Greenville, SC to Alabama, to North Carolina, and graduated high school in Yorktown, VA.
Hanton attended California State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics and then entered Officer Train School on November 16, 1967. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Airforce at Lackland AFB, TX. He attended Undergraduate Navigator and Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) Training at Mather AFB, CA followed by F-4 Combat Crew Training at George AFB, CA.
Hanton went on to his first operational assignment with the 9th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) at Holloman AFB, NM. In February 1972, Tom was with the 4th TFS at Da Nang AB, South Vietnam until he was shot down by a MiG-21 fighter aircraft and was forced to eject over North Vietnam on his 135th combat mission in June 1972. Hanton was captured and for more than two days he marched to the infamous Hanoi Hilton. Tom was first listed as Missing in Action (MIA) until being classified as a Prisoner of War (POW) in late October 1972. He was released on March 28, 1973 during Operation Homecoming.
After a short hospitalization, Tom earned a Master’s Degree in business (MBA) at Arizona State University, returned to five additional years of flying duties, then was assigned on operational staffs in Europe, NATO, and with HQ USAF at the Pentagon. After a 25-year career, Lt. Col. Hanton retired in February 1993 as Chief of the Electronic Combat Division at Headquarters Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center at Kirkland AFB, NM. For the next 18 years, he was a defense contractor supporting DoD and each of the military services while living in Alexandra, VA.
Throughout his military career, Lt. Col. Hanton received a list of military awards. His primary awards include; Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguished Valor, a Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and one silver oak leaf cluster, Prisoner of War Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star, Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars and the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze service stars.
Currently, Tom is on the board of directors of three military-oriented fraternal organizations – the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, the Society of Wild Weasels, and the NAM POWs (the association of Vietnam War POWs). He is a lifetime member of both the VFW and the American Legion. Tom Hanton made South Carolina his home in 2010 and is now residing in Bluffton, SC.
January 24, 2022
Our ‘Veteran of the Week’ is Sergeant Major (Ret.) Rebecca R. Kennedy.
Native to Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Kennedy enlisted in the US Army as a PV1 on September 17, 1991.
Kennedy attended Basic Training and Advance Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. During her service, Kennedy was an Administrative Specialist on her assignments that include: 219th Base Support Battalion, Camp Darby, Italy; 35th Signal Brigade (Airborne) Fort Bragg, North Carolina; 3rd Infantry Division (Mech, Fort Stewart, Georgia; Walter Reed Army Medical Center Brigade, Washington, DC; 17th Area Support Group, Camp Zama, Japan; Command Group, I Corps, Fort Lewis, Washington; and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Her assignments as an HR Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) include: Personnel Administration Center NCOIC, USA Military Police Company, Camp Zama, Japan; G-1 HR NCO, I Corps, Fort Lewis, WA; Battalion S-1 NCOIC, 114th Signal Battalion, Fort Detrick, MD; Brigade S-1 NCOIC, 21st Signal Brigade, Fort Detrick, MD, where she implemented Personnel Services Delivery Redesign (PSDR); and Brigade S-1 NCOIC, 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas, where she deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Kennedy served as the First Sergeant for Alpha and Bravo Company, Allied Forces South Battalion, Naples, Italy. She served as the Senior Enlisted Instructor/Writer for the Brigade S-1 Operations Course and HR Plans and Operations Course, Adjutant General’s School, Fort Jackson, SC. Additionally, SGM(R) Kennedy served as the G-1 SGM, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill, Fort Sill, OK; G-1 SGM, 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Fort Drum, NY, where she deployed as the Combined Joint Taskforce CJ-1 SGM in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, Iraq. Kennedy culminated her last assignment as the G-1, SGM for Third Army/U.S. Army Central, Shaw AFB, SC, where she managed the U.S. Army’s Human Resources Operations for the Middle East Region.
Before Kennedy retired, she received numerous awards/decorations: Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (6 OLC); Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC); Joint Service Achievement Medal; Army Achievement Medal (5 OLC); Army Good Conduct Medal (10th Award); National Defense Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Medal (5th Award); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (4th Award); Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal. She holds the distinction as the DLA’s 2004 Junior NCO of the Year. In addition, she is a recipient of three Adjutant General’s awards: COL Robert L. Manning Achievement Medal, MG(R) Horatio Gates Bronze Award, and MG(R)Horatio Gates Gold Award. SGM(R) was inducted in September 2021 as a Distinguished Member of the Adjutant General’s Corps Class of 2021.
SGM (R) Rebecca Kennedy retired from the US Army on September 30, 2021 after a successful 30 years of military service. She is currently living in Blythewood with her husband, Senior First Class Walter Kennedy Jr, with whom they share two sons.
We thank SGM(R) Rebecca Kennedy for her service and are honored to recognize her military achievements as our ‘Veteran of the Week’.
January 31, 2022
Our ‘Veteran of the Week’ is Craig Ostergard.
This week we are recognizing Craig Ostergard as our ‘Veteran of the Week’.
Craig Ostergard graduated from the University of Akron with honors including Distinguished Military Graduate from their four-year ROTC Program. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army, Infantry.
Ostergard later reported for active duty and graduated from Infantry Officers Basic, Ft. Benning, GA, Special Operations Warfare School, Ft. Bragg, NC and Jungle Warfare School, Panama. He voluntarily served in Vietnam and was assigned to a MACV Team in the Central Highlands and finished his tour as a Company Commander on Artillery Hill, Pleiku. Craig Ostergard was awarded the Bronze Star and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
After his service, Ostergard began his business career in the corporate world at an entry level position and rose to the level of Vice-President. He was selected as a member of Outstanding Young Men of America. He met his now wife and realized that living on airplanes and constant travel would not be the most suitable way to raise a family and they moved to Hilton Head in 1984.
Ostergard began a long career in real estate as one of the top producing brokers in the Southeast with Sea Pines Real Estate, became the President, and was inducted into the Sea Pines Hall of Fame. He started Ostergard Realty Corporation, buying and managing commercial properties and served as its President.
Craig Ostergard strongly believes in giving back and served/has served on eight Boards including The Fellowship of Christians Athletes and Operation Patriots Forward Operating Base whose Mission is to reduce the alarming rate of Veteran Suicides.
Craig and his wife are active in their church and Community Bible Study, serving in various ministries and outreaches. Their two children still live close, his daughter and three grandchildren are living in Bluffton, SC and their son, along with their newest granddaughter, are living in Greensboro, NC.
February 7, 2022
Our ‘Veteran of the Week’ is Vernon "Bud" Shepard.
Retired Sergeant Vernon “Bud” Shepard joined the US Army in 1968 as a bricklayer. “Bud” was in an armored cavalry unit in Fort Knox, KY (where he completed his basic training) and later became a tank driver, loader, gunner and a tank commander.
When it was time for him to serve in Vietnam, Bud was sent to an Air Cavalry unit. He began his on-the-job training as an observer on a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH). In case the pilot was incapacitate, Bud was trained to fly and learned the techniques to find the enemy while flying at treetop level. On November 2, 1969 Bud was shot down twice and sustained two gunshot wounds. Since he was shot down in heavily controlled enemy territory, there was no chance of a rescue. After hiding in the jungle for three days, he was captured. Shepard was held captive for 39 days and was released on December 10, 1969. After his release, his injuries were treated back at Fort Knox.
Once he finished his three-year commitment to the US Army, he moved back to Akron, OH. Shepard took a job with the United States Postal Service (USPS) and became a father. He worked for USPS until he retired in a management position. He eventually reunited with his now wife, Pat, at their 20th High School reunion. After 10 months, they got married and Pat, along with her two children, moved to Ohio where they lived for 22 years. After one weekend, covered in three feet of snow, they decided to move south. The couple currently lives in Myrtle Beach, a warmer place with a rare chance of snow. During their 34 years of marriage ‘Bud’ and Pat traveled often and served as short-term missionaries all over the world. They also revisited where he was held captive in the jungle 52 years ago and built a church in Cambodia.
Sgt. (Ret.) Vernon ‘Bud’ Shepard will be attending the 49th Annual POW ‘Freedom’ Reunion in June 2022. Please consider donating HERE to this event, hosted by the Vietnam POW Reunion Foundation, to “honor those who served in Vietnam and became prisoners of war (POW) and to promote an understanding of their experiences and how leadership and character are developed under the most brutal and unimaginable conditions.”
February 22, 2022
Our “Veteran of the Week” is De’Ontay Winchester Sr.
De’Ontay Winchester Sr. served in the US Army as a Non-Commissioned Officer from 2006 to 2012 with a military occupational specialty in Information Technology. Winchester served in many different positions including Webmaster, Information Assurance Security Officer, Network Operations Service Desk Manager and Network Manager. Throughout his active duty, he completed an AAS in Information Technology and acquired several different professional certifications.
During his years of service, Winchester served in Korea and deployed to Afghanistan Operation Enduring Freedom. He received two awards, the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.
After separating from the Army, De’Ontay continued his education by completing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Social Work in Clinical Social Work from Walden University. He was inducted into Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work, Tau Upsilon Alpha National Organization for Human Services Honor Society, and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Currently he is pursuing a Doctor of Public Administration with a specialization in Law and Policy. Along with his educational achievements, Winchester is actively involved in many fraternal and service organizations including: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), American Legion, Tidelands Community Hospice and Boys and Girls Club of America.
Currently, De’Ontay lives in Georgetown with his wife, two sons and a daughter. His wife, Dr. Lakeva Winchester, is an educator in Georgetown County. They enjoy traveling in their free time and De’Ontay finds pleasure in giving back to the community and serving at-risk and under-served populations.
Those who know him say, “De'Ontay has never stopped serving. He is an Entrepreneur, Clinical Social Worker, Master Life Coach, Activist, & Organizer. He serves in multiple organizations and boards across the Grand Strand, including the board of directors for Miss Ruby's Kids, an early literacy program in Georgetown County, the Georgetown NAACP, and the Gullah Geechee Leadership Trust [Institute].”
March 1, 2022
Our 'Veteran of the Week' is Mary Louise Resch.
March Louise Resch joined the US Army in 1974, completed her Basic Training at Fort Jackson, and dedicated nine years to the military (five as a bomb disposal technician and instructor). During her years of service, she was awarded numerous military achievements including Permanent Award - Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, Military Emergency Management Specialist Basic Badge, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Cold War Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medals, US Army NCO Proficiency Ribbons, and multiple SCSG awards.
After her retirement, Resch went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Excelsior College and a Master of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Still dedicated to her fellow soldiers, Resch’s Master’s Practicum was spent with Army Community Services, Ft. Belvoir, VA and Department of the Army Family Services, Alexandria, VA working with military families and editing the first Army Family Resource Directory.
Resch went on to volunteer and work in a variety of non-profit agencies including, domestic violence/sexual assault treatment, dropout and drug/alcohol prevention programming, to juvenile justice diversion programs for more than 35 years. As a certified Military Emergency Management Specialist, Resch worked during consecutive disasters from Superstorm Sandy, to the current COVID-19 pandemic, and has written and reviewed grants at the local, state, and federal level as a Senior Grants Specialist.
During her career, Resch has received numerous awards, including the SC Substance Abuse Professional of the Year from the SC Association of Prevention Professionals and Advocates, SC Law Enforcement Officers Association Citizen of the Year, Serve and Connect’s Citizen Hero Award and the SC Community Development Specialist of the Year from the SC Community Development Association. Most importantly she was selected as a “National Point of Light” by the Points of Light Foundation headed by former President George H.W. Bush for her work in keeping SC children in their communities and out of the Department of Juvenile Justice, and was the 2017-2018 Midlands of SC Jefferson Award winner, representing South Carolina in Washington, D.C. for her work in creating the Operation HP (Hunger Prevention) program for military members and their families. Recently, Resch was selected as a 2021 Icon by the Columbia Regional Business Report for more than 35 years of non-profit services here in the Midlands.
Resch recently completed her second year with Central SC Habitat for Humanity, leading their “More than a Home” campaign, with a goal of raising nine million dollars in the next three years for community redevelopment in Richland, Lexington, and Fairfield Counties as their Director of Philanthropy. She accomplishes this mission by networking with business, civic organizations, and other key community leaders to work together to transform neighborhoods “one block at a time.”
Today, Resch serves on the boards of directors of the United Way of the Midlands Emergency Food and Shelter Board, West Metro Rotary Club, and Lions Vision Services Boards of Directors. She is also a member of American Legion Post Six in Columbia and a Lieutenant Colonel in the SC State Guard.
SCDVA could not think of a better person to honor at the beginning of Women’s History Month. We would like to thank her for her service and her continuous efforts in making our Palmetto State excel.
March 6, 2022
Our 'Veteran of the Week' is Brooke Jackson Kahn.
Brooke Jackson Kahn joined the US Army in 2009, enlisting as a combat medic, stationed at Fort Stewart with the 3rd Infantry Division, 4th Brigade. She was deployed to Iraq participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. During her military career, Kahn received many awards: Army Commendation Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star (2nd award), Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon.
During Kahn’s active duty to civilian transition, she earned “Rookie of the Year’ and “Presidents Club” representing the top 10% of the company as a pharmaceutical sales representative. She then went on to Physicians Assistance (PA) school at the University of South Alabama, graduating in 2017. Immediately following school, she started practicing in the field of Neurosurgery as a surgical PA. Today, she continues serving her country in the US Army Reserves, commissioned as a 1LT Physician Assistant.
Brooke Jackson Kahn is the founder of “She’s the Veteran” a female Veteran-only community located in Charleston. Her focus is advocating, educating, and empowering as she is passionate about helping Female Veterans. Brooke has led the way with starting a community that focuses on shining light on topics important to women Veterans. Brooke has most recently been selected to the South Carolina Women Veterans Leadership Board for the VA. The board will become a “think tank” and advocate for important changes to women’s healthcare. “She’s the Veteran” hosts many events throughout the year with the signature celebration of Women Veteran’s Day on June 12th. She currently is living in Charleston with her husband and daughter, enjoying the beach, traveling internationally, running, and creating oyster shell jewelry.
March 14, 2022
Our 'Veteran of the Week' is Maria Yturria.
U.S. Army Sergeant Maria Yturria, a major with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, was raised in Los Angeles, California and joined the U.S. Army in 1993. She served for more than seven years and traveled to various assignments within the United States and many foreign countries. Her positions while in the Army have been with various military police units, culminating with her assignment to Headquarters US Army Japan as an assistant to the commanding general. Her duty stations included Fort Jackson, SC, Fort Bliss, TX, Fort Sam Houston, TX, and posts in Hawaii, Korea, and Japan. Yturria was honorably discharged in 2000 at the rank of sergeant.
Yturria’s military awards and decorations include: the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), the Army Commendation Medal (three awards), the Army Achievement Medal (two awards), the Good Conduct Medal (two awards), the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon (two awards), and the Expert Marksmanship badge (with rifle bar). She has since received numerous law enforcement awards.
Yturria has been with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) for 19 years and today serves as director of RCSD’s Professional Development/Public Affairs.
We would like to thank Sergeant Yturria for her service to our country and service to Richland County!
March 21, 2022
Our ‘Veteran of the Week’ is Addy Perez.
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Addy Perez, a Master Deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, began her U.S. Army service in the Army Reserve in 2008. Following basic training at Fort Jackson. She attended AIT at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where she received training as a veterinary technician. Perez deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 and served as a veterinary tech for military workings dogs at Forward Operating Base Sharana (Paktika Province), Camp Leatherneck (a U.S. Marine base in Helmand Province) and surrounding outposts. During her Afghanistan deployment she was promoted to Sergeant.
In 2013, Perez graduated from The U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy, earning the Drill Sergeant badge and the Iron Drill Sergeant award. She went on to serve as a drill sergeant at Fort Knox, KY; Fort Leonard Wood, MO; and Fort Jackson, SC. Perez returned to the academy in 2014 as a drill sergeant leader, training drill sergeant candidates. Her final duty assignment was with a Reserve unit as an instructor for Human Resources at Camp Parks, California. Perez was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant in 2020.
Among her military awards and decorations are the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with Campaign star), the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the NATO Medal, the Drill Sergeant badge, and the Drill Sergeant Leader belt.
Perez has been with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department for five years, today serving on the department’s Community Action Team, and is best known for her regular appearances on A&E’s hit television series “LIVE PD.”
We thank Master Deputy Perez for her service to our country and the Richland County community. It is an honor to recognize her during the month of March for Women’s History Month!
March 28, 2022
Our ‘Veteran of the Week’ is SCDVA's Heather Durant-McEady!
Heather Durant-McEady began her U.S. Navy service in September of 1994 in Great Lakes, Illinois. She attended A-School in Meridian, Mississippi where she received her training to become a Storekeeper. In October 2009, US navy changed the naval rating of Storekeeper to Logistics Specialist. Following A-school, she was assigned to the USS Simon Lake (AS-33), a submarine tender located in LA Maddalena, Sardinia, Italy. She would later be stationed back aboard the USS Simon Lake (AS-33) in 1999 to help decommission the 35-year-old ship.
During her time in service, she was stationed aboard the USS Simon Lake (AS-33), USS Emory S. Land (AS-39), at Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Aviation Support Detachment Jacksonville, Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron SIXTEEN (VP-16), USS Samuel L. Gravely (DDG-107), and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81).
Her most rewarding assignment was the commissioning crew of the USS Samuel L. Gravely (DDG-107), which is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer named in honor of the late Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Jr. The late Vice Admiral Gravely was the first African American to serve aboard a warship as an officer, the first to command a Naval warship, the first fleet Commander, and the first flag officer, retiring as a vice admiral.
Among her military awards and decorations are the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy ‘E” Ribbon, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Navy Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Insignia and the Navy Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Insignia.
Heather has worked with the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs (SCDVA) for five years and currently is the Women and Minority Veterans Coordinator. She is dedicated to the mission of helping Veterans. She resides in Blythewood, SC with her husband who is a retired Army Veteran.
We would like to thank Heather Durant-McEady for her continued service to the Palmetto State and for SCDVA. We could not think of a better way to end Women’s History Month than to honor Heather for her commitment and service!
April 4, 2022
Our ‘Veteran of the Week’ is Thomas Stowe “Tom" Mullikin!
Thomas Stowe “Tom" Mullikin served both his nation and state in a multi-faceted military career that is as distinguished and accomplished as it is unique.
Mullikin began his service in January 1998 when he was commissioned into the U.S. Army Reserve’s Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps. Following his completion of the JAG Officer Basic Course, Charlottesville, Virginia; he was assigned to the 12th Legal Support Organization where he served as a prosecutor/trial counsel. He then served as International Legal Officer for the 360th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne). He later served in a post-Army civilian capacity as special assistant to the Chief Prosecutor, Military Commissions, U.S. Department of Defense.
A graduate of the U.S. Army Physical Fitness School at Fort Benning, Georgia, certified as a U.S. Army Master Fitness Trainer, and holding a black belt in traditional karate, Mullikin served as an Army self-defense instructor. Mullikin was honorably discharged at the rank of captain in December 2006.
Mullikin was later commissioned into the S.C. Military Department (SCMD) where he initially served as both JAG officer and Counterterrorism Task Force officer (later Counterterrorism Advisory Team officer) for the SCMD’s Joint Services Department (JSD). Recognized for his extraordinary leadership, Mullikin transferred from JSD to the S.C. State Guard (SCSG), quickly becoming deputy commander and chief of staff, and in 2014, commander (commanding general) of that historic military organization.
As commander, Mullikin transformed the SCSG into a robust state defense force organized around three geographically based battalions and functioning as a key component-arm of the SCMD’s state emergency response package.
Mullikin established the SCSG’s new Underwater Search-and-Rescue Team, and he personally trained and certified his SCSG SCUBA-divers. As an experienced SCUBA-diving instructor, a Master Diver (PADI) with recorded dives in all the Earth’s oceans including certification as a polar diver for his ice dives in the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans, and a Special Deputy training instructor with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department dive team, Mullikin’s facility in terms of the cultural transformation of the SCSG, not the least of which was the example of the SCSG dive team was and remains unprecedented.
Mullikin also established the SCSG Mountain Search and Rescue Team, which – like his dive team – was a direct reflection of his global mountaineering and summiting experience. Mullikin has climbed mountains of every continent on earth, and he has summited the highest mountains in Europe, Africa, Australia, and South America.
Mullikin’s holds numerous state, federal, and foreign decorations and military qualification badges. Among his federal decorations are the U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, and the Army Reserve Components Overseas Ribbon (with numeral 2). Among his state decorations and badges are the Joint Services Detachment Meritorious Service Medal, the SCSG Medal of Merit, the RAIDER – Rapid Assistance in Disaster and Emergency Relief – badge, and the Military Emergency Management Specialist badge.
Among his foreign qualification badges are military parachutist badges from Serbia, Croatia, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Germany, and the Kingdom of Laos. He was also awarded U.S. Army basic parachutist wings as a result of his having earned jump wings from six foreign airborne forces.
Mullikin, as commander of SCSG, was the subject of a feature in AMERICAN LEGION magazine, the world’s leading military Veterans publication, and he been featured in many others.
Mullikin serves on a variety of foundations and boards, including the board of directors for the U.S. Army Special Forces Foundation (S.C. Chapter). He is a Montagnard tribal community inductee (a singular honor recognizing his service to both the Vietnamese Montagnard community and the U.S. Army Special Forces community). And he has served as president of the State Guard Association of the United States.
Mullikin is a recipient of the ORDER OF THE PALMETTO, South Carolina’s highest award. He also has been awarded the titles IRONMAN by Ironman Outdoors (Sandhills chapter) and HONORARY GREEN BERET by the Special Forces Association (S.C. chapter) among others.
Mullikin retired at the rank of major general in December 2018.
Today among his many responsibilities, he serves as chair of the gubernatorially established S.C. Floodwater Commission, reporting directly to the Governor Henry McMaster. He is a founding partner of the Mullikin Law Firm, founding past president of Global Eco Adventures, a university professor, author, film producer, and director of several statewide initiatives and events, including POWERPLANTSC and the annual SC7 expedition among others.
In December 2021, Mullikin earned a PhD from Columbia International University.
April 11, 2022
Our ‘Veteran of the Week’ is William M. “Bill” Connor V.
Colonel William M. “Bill” Connor V was commissioned an Infantry officer following graduation from The Citadel in 1990. After the Infantry Officer Basic Course and Ranger School, Connor was assigned platoon leader in 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry, and later as executive officer. During his assignment to Fort Stewart, he deployed to Kuwait (twice) and earned his Expert Infantryman’s Badge. After graduation from the Infantry Advanced Course at Fort Benning, Connor was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry “Wolfhounds” in Hawaii, where he served as Battalion S4 and “C” Company Commander. His unit deployed as part of the Multi-National Forces and Observers peacekeeping mission between Egypt and Israel. Connor then served as “B” Company commander of the 4th Ranger Training Battalion at Fort Benning and was later selected as aide-de-camp to the Infantry Commandant. After his time as ADC, Connor was selected to become a small group instructor in the Infantry Captains Career Course. In 2002, after resident selection to Command and General Staff College, Connor left the Regular Army as a major and transitioned to the Reserve component. He attended law school at the University of South Carolina while serving, with military exercises in Korea and Crete. In 2007, he was mobilized for 15 months to Afghanistan as an Infantry Combat Adviser to Afghan National Security Forces. He became the senior U.S. military adviser in Helmand Province and was promoted to lieutenant colonel. In 2008, Bill began service as a Command and General Staff Officers Course instructor and became the lead instructor for the state of South Carolina. In 2015, he became the senior Army North representative to South Carolina and was promoted colonel. Connor is a “distinguished graduate” of the U.S. Army War College. He retired from the Army in 2020.
Among his awards, honors, and decorations, Connor is a recipient of the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Multinational Forces and Observers Medal, NATO Service Medal, Global War on Terror Medal, and Overseas Service Ribbon. Among his qualification badges, Connor is a recipient of the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Airborne wings, Air Assault wings, and Ranger Tab. He is also a McArthur Leadership Award nominee and a recipient of The Order of St. Maurice (Centurion).
A multi-generational military son (military brat), Connor today is a practicing attorney and founder of the Bill Connor Law Firm. He is a recipient of the AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating (Highest rating for ethics and competency in America); Community of Character Award (Orangeburg); and the Order of the Palmetto, the highest award presented by the state of South Carolina. He is a member of The Citadel’s Board of Visitors, and he serves as chairman of the National Security Task Force of the gubernatorially established S.C. Floodwater Commission.
April 18, 2022
Our ‘Veteran of the Week’ is Kelvin W. Ashe.
Lieutenant Colonel Kelvin W. Ashe began his military-law enforcement career in 1983 as a U.S. Army military police officer. He served as a military police patrol supervisor, military police investigator, military police operations sergeant, advanced traffic accident investigator, advanced DUI detection officer, military police customs inspector, criminal domestic violence intervention program officer, game warden, police community liaison officer and the family advocacy board member for misguided youths, and he worked and trained as a member of the Washington State Accident Investigation Team and the Tacoma Police Department. As a military police officer, he also served in the positions of Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) instructor and Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) officer.
Ashe was stationed at Ft. McClellan, Alabama; Camp Carroll and Camp Red Cloud, Republic of Korea; Ft. Riley, Kansas; Schloss Kaserne in Giessen, Germany; U.S. Forces Police Kaiserslautern, Germany; Ft. Lewis, Washington; and Ft. Jackson, S.C. Ashe was honorably discharged in 1998.
Among Ashe’s military awards and decorations are the Army Commendation Medal (four awards), the Army Achievement Medal (three awards), the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (two awards), the National Defense Medal, the Overseas Service Medal, and the Airbase Ground Defense Medal.
Kelvin Ashe joined the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in 1998 as a full-time deputy with RCSD’s Uniform Division. He attended the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy and became a certified police officer and officer supervisor. He rose through the ranks to become the first lieutenant colonel in the history of the department. Today, he serves as director of the Uniform Division, overseeing the daily operation of over 300 deputies serving in several capacities throughout the department. His career assignments have spanned across the organization giving him the opportunity to work in areas ranging from patrol operations to executive level management.
April 25, 2022
Our ‘Veteran of the Week’ is W. Thomas Smith Jr.
W. Thomas Smith Jr. is a formerly deployed U.S. Marine Infantry leader, a nuclear security and counterterrorism instructor, and a tactical SWAT team officer (twice awarded the title, “Honorman”) in the nuclear industry. He is also a retired colonel in the S.C. Military Dept. where he founded and directed the department’s first-ever Counterterrorism Task Force which evolved into the U.S. Counterterrorism Advisory Team.
Smith began his military career in the Marines in 1983. He attended recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. He then entered USMC Infantry Training School on a guaranteed infantry contract at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA (graduating the top 10-percent of his class and earning the MOS designation “rifle scout”). He then entered USMC Sea School (also top 10-percent of his class) at MCB San Diego, CA. Smith was then stationed aboard a submarine-tender where he became the primary nuclear security and counterterrorism training instructor. While on sea duty, Smith developed and led training for shipboard sailors, Marines, and submarine crews in port and at sea. He was also among a select group of Marines worldwide to receive special close quarters combat training facilitated by the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service at the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Virginia.
Following sea duty, Smith served as a rifle-squad (Infantry) leader and a bayonet instructor with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. While with 5th Marines, he received amphibious raid training at NAB Coronado, CA, and USMC mountain warfare training at Bridgeport, CA. His battalion soon deployed to the Western Pacific where he was stationed on Okinawa and in the Republic of Korea (ROK). In Korea, he trained regularly with ROK Marines, attending the ROK Marine Corps Mountain Warfare School at Muchuk, Korea. Also in Korea, he was temporarily detached to a USMC intelligence unit during special operations training.
Smith was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1989. He then served on the aforementioned SWAT team, then as a civilian war correspondent and military analyst, covering conflict from the Balkans to the Middle East from 1995-2007, including Croatia-Bosnia, Israel and the West Bank, Lebanon, and twice in Iraq during the war: The first time, he was embedded with British contract security forces, the second time with U.S. forces. He departed Iraq in the summer of 2007.
Following Iraq, Smith was commissioned at the rank of major in the S.C. Military Department’s Joint Service Det. where he became founding director of the Counterterrorism Task Force. He was soon promoted to lieutenant colonel and in 2012 to colonel. He retired from the SCMD in 2016, and served for several years as a civilian special advisor to the commander of the S.C. State Guard.
Among his awards, honors, and military decorations, Smith is a recipient of the Secretary of the Navy’s Commendation Medal for Achievement (today the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal) for nuclear security and counterterrorism activities, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Korea Defense Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, S.C. National Guard Meritorious Service Medal, and many state decorations. Smith is also a recipient of the Order of Saint Maurice (Centurion level), a prestigious Infantry honor awarded by the National Infantry Association and the Army’s chief of Infantry.
Among his qualification badges are U.S. Army parachutist wings, USMC Rifle Expert badge (multiple awards), USMC Pistol Expert badge, Royal Laotian Airborne parachutist wings, and several state badges.
Today, Smith is a professional writer, a New York Times bestselling editor, and a military technical advisor. He also serves in varying capacities as a special deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. And he serves on the National Security Task Force, S.C. Floodwater Commission.
Smith is a recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest award; two S.C. Senate commendations; the Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s Civilian of the Year award; an Army North commendation; a Global Eco Adventures IRONMAN award; Honorary Green Beret; Honorary Ranger in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps; and multiple other awards and honors. Smith is a USC graduate.
May 2, 2022
Our ‘Veteran of the Week’ is Alvin King.
Alvin King served in the US Army from December 1998 to December 2018 as a First Sergeant, Senior Intelligence Advisor. His previous assignment includes 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, US Army Central, Shaw Air Force Base, SC. He was deployed during Operation Joint Forge (Bosnia), Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) and Operation New Dawn (Iraq). BELOW you will read Alvin’s story of why he joined the military, what he’s doing now to help Veterans in the Palmetto State and what’s next for him.
“Upon completing my sophomore year in college, I realized that school was not for me. At the time, I was searching for more direction in my life; inevitably, I stumbled upon an opportunity to join the US Army.
While at first, I was hesitant, the moment I signed my name on the dotted line I knew that I had found what I had been searching for. In addition, the culture of camaraderie and the brotherhood in the military was like nothing I had ever experienced.
Since leaving the military, I have 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.
In 2018, I 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 me 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). We believe that providing programs and resources to Veterans and their families directly impacts their healing process. Additionally, our 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, we launched a six-month golf program that catered to military communities at Fort Jackson and Shaw Air Force Base. Programming consisted of free weekly introductory golf lessons at Cobblestone Park Golf Club and the James Clyburn Golf Center—with children as young as four to patrons well into their 70s attending. Due to the program's increasing popularity, our executive board decided to increase the program from six to eight months starting April 18, 2022.
In February 2022, a team of 13 completed an adaptive golf program—expanding its reach to golfers with rated disabilities. Following the training, Range Fore Hope Foundation was nationally recognized as a certified adaptive golf instruction program and became a US Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA) member.
With an emphasis on adaptive golf, we hosted the inaugural golf charity tournament, Fairways to Freedom, this past week. The event was a tremendous success, selling out like its sister tournament. All proceeds went towards purchasing a ParaGolfer, an all-terrain power wheelchair typically used for golfers with high-level spinal cord injuries.
What’s next? We will host the first-ever South Carolina-wide adaptive golf tournament in the fall—partnering with six different adaptive golf organizations to host a three-day event. I look forward to watching Range Fore Hope Foundation's continued growth and giving back to my community.”
We would like to thank 1SG Alvin King for his service and ongoing support for Veterans and their families in the community.
May 9, 2022
Our ‘Veteran of the Week’ is Steven B. Vitali.
Steven B. Vitali is a career Marine officer who entered the U.S. Marine Corps’ Platoon Leaders Class in 1973 and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Marines in 1976. Vitali served 32 years in the Corps and in various posts, including service as an amphibious assault officer, a reconnaissance officer, an Infantry officer, a public affairs officer, a logistician, the II Marine Expeditionary Force Inspector General, and as an embedded advisor.
Vitali served under Gen. James Mattis, commanding general of Marine Corps Forces Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida – traveling to Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar in his capacity of the MARCENT G-4 engineer and basing director – before retiring from active service in 2008. Prior to MARCENT, Vitali was deployed first to Iraq then Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, Vitali served as commanding officer, 201st Regional Corps Advisory Group and Embedded Training Team 3-2, Task Force Phoenix. As the senior advisor to the Afghan Army commander, Vitali commanded the 201st Regional Corps Advisory Group, a multi-national advisory group of 350 advisors mentoring 6,000 Afghan National Army Corps soldiers throughout 11 Afghan Provinces. As the only Marine Maneuver Element commander in Afghanistan, Vitali trained the Afghan National Army Corps to excel in a wide variety of operations from direct combat to riot control to disaster relief to nation building and humanitarian assistance.
Vitali’s command participated in six major combat operations to include the restoration of control in Kabul, the capital and the first autonomous Afghan National Army combat operations in Logar and Kapisa Provinces. The mission set for the 201st Corps was the most complex and difficult in the entire Afghan National Army. The 201st Regional Corps Advisory Group Command was a combined and joint team conducting combat operations in one of the most hostile environments in the country of Afghanistan. Vitali served as the assistant chief of staff G-8 director of the first-ever Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) Marine Corps Basing Organization (Marines, Navy, and Army) providing all base life support, engineering, construction, logistics, environmental, food service, MWR, and base closures for 26 forward operating bases in the Al Anbar, Babil, Najaf, and Karbala provinces to over 44,000 U.S. forces and contractors.
Vitali served as the II Marine Expeditionary Force Deployment Planning and Execution (II MEF FDP&E) officer: Deploying USMC forces – personnel, equipment, and materials – to air and seaports of embarkation to the war. Vitali was also hand-selected to chair the conception, creation, and establishment of II MEF’s Anti-Terrorism battalion.
Prior to his responsibilities as the II MEF FDP&E director, Vitali served as the II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) Inspector General. It was during his time as II MEF IG, that the terrorists struck on Sept. 11, 2001.
Among Vitali’s significant individual awards are the Legion of Merit (two awards), the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He also earned U.S. Army Airborne wings.
Today, Vitali serves on the Fort Jackson (S.C.) Retiree Council. He is a founding member of the Northeast Presbyterian Church Combat Support Group. He is the former chairman of the board of directors for the Project Josiah Restoration Ministry assisting service members with PTSD. And he is the operations officer of the National Security Task Force for the gubernatorially established S.C. Floodwater Commission.
Vitali holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina. He is a member of the S.C. Black Belt Hall of Fame. He is the recipient of a S.C. Senate commendation, an Army North commendation, a Global Eco Adventures IRONMAN award, the Joe Louis Eternal Warrior (martial arts) award, and many other honors.
May 16, 2022
Our ‘Veteran of the Week’ is Peter A. Hart.
Peter A. Hart began his military career in 1992 as a U.S. Marine, leading to multiple deployments and assignments including service as an assault amphibian crewman and related leadership responsibilities. He also served in the USMC Diplomatic Security Program (a U.S. Marine embassy guard in both Paris and in Nicaragua). Hart served for a time as a recruiter, later as the engagement officer for the U.S. Special Operations Command for AFRICOM, and he deployed multiple times including combat tours in Kosovo and Iraq.
Throughout his storied career, Hart participated in numerous sensitive and high-stakes operations and international missions including serving on high-level security protection details for three presidents, two first ladies and several secretaries of State.
In 2012, Hart retired from the Marines at the rank of master sergeant. Among his military awards and decorations are the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), the Combat Action Ribbon (two awards), the Navy Unit Commendation (three awards), the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards), the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (six awards), the National Defense Service Medal (two awards), the Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal (with one Bronze Service Star), the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (five awards), the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Ribbon (two awards), the NATO Medal, the Recruiter Ribbon, the Marine Security Guard Ribbon, Expert Rifle badge (third award), and Expert Pistol badge expert (fifth award).
Following his retirement from the Marines, Hart attended and graduated from the N.C. Basic Law Enforcement Training Program, working briefly in N.C. before relocating his family to Columbia and hiring-on with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in 2013. Two years later, Hart became a certified Special Response (tactical) Team operator, and in 2018 he became a member of RCSD’s Dive Team.
May 23, 2022
Our ‘Veteran of the Week’ is David C. Currey.
David C. Currey entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. in 2011. There he served as a member of the Cadet Chapel Choir and as Cadet-in-Charge of the Cadet Band among his many other cadet responsibilities. Following graduation in 2015, Currey was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, serving in a variety of posts, primarily at Fort Drum, N.Y., with the 10th Mountain Division. In 2020, he was medically retired at the rank of captain following a serious back injury in a parachute jump in 2017.
Among Currey’s awards, decorations, and qualification badges are the Army Commendation Medal (two awards), the Army Achievement Medal (two awards), the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service ribbon, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Ranger tab, Airborne wings, and Air Assault wings.
After retiring, Currey returned to South Carolina and enrolled in the Moore School of Business’ International Master of Business Administration (IMBA) program at the University of South Carolina. He graduated from the IMBA program in May 2022. When he’s not studying or working, Currey enjoys international travel, road cycling, running, CrossFit, woodworking, playing the trumpet, listening to classical music, and spending time with his family.
June 1, 2022
Our ‘Veteran of the Week’ is Staff Sergeant (RCSD Deputy) Thomas Browne.
Thomas Browne enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 2013 and attended basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. Following basic training, Browne attended advanced individual training (AIT) which for him was the Automated Logistics School at Fort Lee, Virginia. Following AIT, he attended the Army’s Basic Leader Course at Fort Dix, N.J. and the Master Resilience Training Course at Fort Jackson. Browne is an automated logistical sergeant with a secondary MOS of unit supply. He deployed to Iraq in 2019.
Browne continues serving in the Army Reserve and holds the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Among Browne’s awards and decorations, Browne is a recipient of the Army Commendation Medal with “C” (combat) device, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Army Service ribbon, the Army NCO Professional Development ribbon, and the Army Overseas Service ribbon. He is also a recipient of the Combat Action Badge.
A native of Monrovia, Liberia, Browne speaks three languages – English, French and Ashanti (Twi). In 1990, when Browne was only six-years-old, his family fled Liberia to the Ivory Coast after his father, Col. Hezekiah Browne, then the operations commander of President Samuel Kanyon Doe’s secret service (presidential security force), was killed during that country’s civil war. The Browne family ultimately settled in Ghana before immigrating to the U.S. in 2000.
In 2010, Brown earned a B.A. Degree in criminal justice from East Tennessee State University and he earned his American citizenship after joining the Army Reserve.
In addition to his continued service in the Army Reserve, Browne is a member of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, having joined the department five years ago, becoming a patrol deputy and today serving on the Community Action (CAT) Team. On the CAT team, Browne is a liaison between the department and the various African communities living and working throughout the Midlands. Browne is also a hostage negotiator on RCSD’s Crisis Management Team.
June 6, 2022
Our ‘Veteran of the Week’ is Marine Corporal Dale Sutcliffe.
Marine Corporal Dale Sutcliffe, founder of VetFriends.com, was raised outside Washington DC in Adelphi, MD and joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1987. He served for four years and traveled to more than 10 countries. Mr. Sutcliffe served in 29 Palms, CA; Camp Pendleton, CA; Camp Butler and Foster, Okinawa; Philippines; Bangladesh; Pohang, Korea; and the Middle East. During Desert Storm, Sutcliffe served with BSSG-5/5th MEB. He was squad leader of 12 Marines during the ground invasion into Kuwait. Sutcliffe’s primary MOS was 2542 communications.
Mr. Sutcliffe’s military awards and decorations include Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Humanitarian Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (two awards), Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (four awards), Sea Service Deployment (two awards), Good Conduct Medal, Certificate of Commendation, Meritorious Mast, Certificate of Achievement and a Meritorious Promotion.
In 1999, during a conversation with his father-in-law, a Veteran of the Korean War, Sutcliffe asked if he would attend a hypothetical reunion with his old Army unit. His father-in-law responded, "I'd be on the next plane to Korea to see those guys!" Reflecting on the depth of this reply, Sutcliffe realized the special bonds of military brother and sisterhood often withstand the tests of time, and that with the help of modern technology, those bonds could be reestablished. That day, the idea of VetFriends.com was created.
To date, thousands of Veterans have been reconnected through VetFriends.com. VetFriends.com has a current member count of over 2,800,000 Veterans. VetFriends has an online store of over 12,000 Veteran & Military merchandise/memorabilia. Over 1,000,000 orders have been shipped to Veterans, VA hospitals, retirement centers and Veteran Organizations. VetFriends is Officially Licensed with the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Space Force.
In 2019, Sutcliffe was awarded Veteran Small Business Person of the year. On the Senate floor, Senator Tim Scott has recognized the valuable role that small businesses, Mr. Sutcliffe & VetFriends.com continue to play in our great United States.
June 13, 2022
Our 'Veteran of the Week' is Richard Buzard, Jr.
Richard Buzard, Jr served in the U.S. Navy from 1974 to 1984, returning to service in 1988 and opting for early retirement in 1996 with a total of 18 years and two months of service. He served on active duty as a member of the engineering departments of both submarine and surface fleets, attaining the rank of Machinists Mate First Class (Petty Officer First Class) and specializing in auxiliary engineering systems. Buzard earned his qualification in both submarines and as an enlisted surface warfare specialist.
Among Buzard’s awards and decorations are the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal (with one star), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal (with one star), a Sea Service ribbon (with two stars), a Battle “E” (Efficiency) Ribbon, and a Joint Meritorious Unit Award.
Buzard holds an Associate’s degree in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and he earned a BS degree (Magna Cum Laude) in Industrial Science and Technology (majoring in Facilities Management) from Colorado State University in Pueblo. He has worked in a variety of positions since retiring from the Navy, including government contracting work at the Air Force Civil Engineering Center as a facilities renewable energy systems program specialist and later as the resource efficiency manager for the 81st Readiness Division of the Army Reserve at Fort Jackson, S.C. where he also qualified as a certified energy manager with the Association of Energy Engineers.
Today, Buzard is founding president of Virtual FM LLC, a consulting firm specializing in energy efficiency and facilities management audits, benchmarking, and upgrade programs. He is an active member of the Society of American Military Engineers, the International Facilities Management Association, the Association of Energy Engineers, the Association of South Carolina Energy Managers, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, and the local chapter of Trout Unlimited. He regularly attends services at Columbia’s Northeast Presbyterian Church and is active in the Harvest-Fellowship Discipleship Class.
June 20, 2022
Our 'Veteran of the Week' is Craig J. Currey.
Craig J. Currey entered service in the U.S. Army in 1978 as a cadet at West Point. He was commissioned following graduation in 1982, and he retired as a colonel in 2012. Throughout his 30 years of commissioned service, Col. Currey served in a variety of posts, his final being that of deputy commanding officer of Fort Jackson, S.C. Other posts held over the years at Fort Jackson included director of the Directorate of Basic Combat Training, commander of Victory Brigade and the 2-39 Infantry Battalion, and the chief of training.
Overseas, Currey was the chief of staff for Task Force 134 in Iraq working theater detention operations for Multi-National Force-Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was also the Chief of Exercises for U.S. Army Europe in Heidelberg, Germany; a platoon leader in Korea; and he deployed to Haiti as part of Operation Uphold Democracy.
Across North America, Currey served in the 2nd Battalion, 75 Ranger Regiment and 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division (Motorized) at Fort Lewis, Washington. He also served as assistant history professor at West Point, N.Y. He served in the 18th Airborne Corps and 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, N.C.; the Defense Intelligence Agency at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.; and the Pentagon.
In addition to West Point, Currey is a graduate of the Army’s Command and General Staff College where he received a Master of Military Art and Science, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received a Master of Arts in History, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Army War College where he received a Master of Strategic Studies. He also holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from South University.
Currey’s awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Commendation with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. He also earned a Ranger tab, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification badge, an Expert Infantry Badge, a Master Parachutist badge, a Pathfinder badge, a Combat Action Badge, a Joint Meritorious Unit Award with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, a Jordanian parachutist badge, and a Belgian Armed Forces parachutist badge. He is also a recipient of the Primicerius (highest level) Order of Saint Maurice for lifetime achievement in the infantry and he is a Fort Jackson Hall of Fame inductee.
Following retirement from the U.S. Army in 2012, Col. Currey was named and has since served as president and CEO of Transitions Homeless Center in downtown Columbia. A 260-bed facility, Transitions is the Midlands largest homeless facility serving the needs of the community’s homeless adults. Currey is a ruling elder at Columbia’s Northeast Presbyterian Church, and he is a recipient of the Lifetime of Service Award from the Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless.
June 27, 2022
Our “Veteran of the Week” is Peggy E. Colbert.
Peggy E. Colbert joined the US Army in 1988 and currently works for the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW). She wanted to become more independent without help from her parents. Colbert had just received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and could not find a job without having years of experience to back it up. She also wanted to use the educational benefits (GI Bill) in order to get her master’s degree.
Colbert’s active-duty military career lasted from February 1988 to September 1991 and she remained in the reserves through October 1995. She was a 91S Environmental Health Technician and was assigned in Fort Monmouth, NJ along with Fort Gordon, GA.
After leaving the military, Colbert found it difficult to find a job and ended up using an employment agency to land a career with Osbon Medical Services in Augusta, GA. She worked there for a year before her husband received orders for Germany. With 20 years in Germany, she completed her master’s in Human Relations and became a mother of two boys. She worked in many different positions while in Germany including a military spouse, a pre-school teacher, a medical receptionist, an accountant, and a Occupational Health Specialist.
Colbert and her family have been back in the US for nine years and since then she has worked as a Family Engagement Specialist with Headstart, a Coordinator for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), a Goodwill Job Coach for Teens, a Volunteer Coordinator, and a United Way Campaign Coordinator. Her husband is a contractor and has been moved three times since they’ve been back in the States. They spent seven years living apart so that they could keep their sons in the same high school. Because of COVID-19 her husband’s job become remote so they are happy to say that they should not have to move again. They have been in South Carolina for a little more than one year, and Colbert started working for SCDEW in January 2022 as a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist.
July 5, 2022
Our “Veteran of the Week” is Phil Palmer.
Phil Palmer graduated from The Citadel in 2005 and immediately was commissioned a second lieutenant (2nd Lt) in the U.S. Marine Corps. From 2006, Palmer deployed on MiTT0111 to Ar Ramadi, Iraq as a Combat Advisor for the 1/1/1 Iraqi Army Battalion. In 2008, 2ndLt Palmer would deploy back to Iraq as the Operations Officer for the G-2 in Al Asad. Captain Palmer would then report to The Basic School as an Instructor and Staff Platoon Commander. He would also serve as the Operations Officer for the Marine Corps Martial Arts Center of Excellence. Captain Palmer would finish his time in the Marine Corps at Training and Education Command (TECOM) serving as an Operations Officer on the Security Force Assistance Program.
Among Palmer’s personal awards and decorations are the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor (Gold Star in Lieu of Second Award), Army Commendation Medal with Valor, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Phil was Honorably Discharged from the Marine Corps in 2013 and was diagnosed with PTSD along with a TBI. Exercise and nutrition was the major contributor to his recovery and ability to cope.
Phil realized that physical fitness was helping him cope with his invisible wounds, and strengthen his mental and emotional fitness. With so many combat Veterans struggling with these visible and invisible wounds, he founded WarriorWOD, created to help those that served through physical fitness. WarriorWOD prioritizes exercise and nutrition as leading prescriptions for veterans recovering from PTSD.
In addition to WarriorWOD, Phil is an executive-level sales leader for a global hosting company. He is married to his beautiful wife, Tessa, and loves being a father to his daughter Sophie.
July 12, 2022
Our “Veteran of the Week” is Dick Dewar.
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Dick Dewar of Aiken, South Carolina, who is from Stoneham, Massachusetts says he always had a desire to serve. He joined the US Air Force in June of 1962 after graduating from Boston College. During his active duty, Dewar was assigned to multiple locations including Lockbourne AFB, Ohio; Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona; Minot AFB, North Dakota; SAC Headquarters, Omaha, Nebraska; Camp H. M. Smith, Honolulu, Hawaii; and K. I. Sawyer AFB, Marquette, Michigan. Dewar deployed in 1975 to Kunsan, Korea.
Dewar’s last assignment was in the 410 Security Police Squadron and retired in July of 1982 after 20 years in the service. For the last 20 years Dewar has been serving as a private security senior manager and was an elected member of the Aiken City Council for 12 years.
Lt. Col. Dewar was recently honored by the Aiken Standard with an article detailing his lifetime of service in the Air Force and beyond. That article is published at the link below. Dick Dewar was nominated by Dan Wrightsman, SCDVA's Deputy Director of Operations.
Dick Dewar: Air Force veteran reflects on a lifetime of service | Sunday Best | postandcourier.com
July 18, 2022
Our “Veteran of the Week” is LTC Jason Pieri
LTC Jason (JP) Pieri commissioned into the Armor Corps in May 1999. He initially served as a Tank Platoon Leader in the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Battalion at Ft. Stewart, Georgia and deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of Operation JOINT FORGE from 2000 through 2001. He then served as a Tank Company Executive Officer and Battalion Adjutant for the 2nd Battalion, 72nd Armor Battalion at Camp Casey, Republic of Korea.
In 2005, LTC Pieri was assigned as Squadron Logistics for 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry in Schweinfurt, Germany. He commanded C/1-4 CAV, which transitioned to C Troop, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry (Airborne) Regiment as part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. He deployed his Troop to Kunar Province, Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008 during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
In 2008, LTC Pieri was assigned as a Small Group Instructor for the Maneuver Captains Career Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served as an SGI for 2 years and then assumed duties as Senior Instructor for the MCCC in 2008.
LTC Pieri served with the United States Marine Corps from 2011 through 2013 at Quantico, Virginia, and graduated from the USMC School of Advanced Warfighting. He served as a campaign planner for ISAF Joint Command (IJC) in Kabul, Afghanistan. He joined the 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, TX in 2014, serving as Squadron Operations Officer, and was later reassigned as the Operations Officer for 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and completed the Army’s first Armored Brigade Combat Team rotation to the Republic of Korea.
LTC Pieri joined the 1st Cavalry Division headquarters staff in 2016. He initially served as the Chief of Training (G37) and was then reassigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations (G3).
Pieri also served as the Commander of 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment from June of 2017 until June of 2019. He served as the Fort Jackson Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations (G3) from 2019 to 2021 when he retired. He is currently the Chief of Plans and Operations for Fort Jackson’s Garrison.
Pieri has various joint and Army decorations including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, and Combat Action Badge.
He and his wife Erin have been happily married for 20 years and have a 19-year-old daughter, Ellie, a 16-year-old daughter, Emma, and an 11-year-old son, Jared.
August 1, 2022
Our “Veteran of the Week” is SGM Daisha Oliver
Sergeant Major Daisha Oliver retired from the Army on 30 June 2021 with more than 23 years of service. She was born in Portsmouth, Virginia and entered the Army in July 1997 after attending Virginia State University where she majored in Biology. SGM Oliver attended Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
She then proceeded to her first duty assignment with the 94th Engineer Brigade, Vilseck Germany. She remained there until pcs’ing to Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia. SGM Oliver transferred into the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) in 2014 and began her first AGR assignment with the 348th General Hospital, Fort Dix, New Jersey as Chief Ward Master.
SGM Oliver’s duties and assignments include G3/5/7 SGM, 108th Training Command, Charlotte, North Carolina, G3 SGM, 332nd Medical Brigade, Nashville, Tennessee, Senior Healthcare Coordinator, 360th Civil Affairs Brigade, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Assistant Inspector General, NCOIC, 81st Readiness Division, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Operations NCOIC, 344th Combat Hospital, Fort Dix, New Jersey, Observer Trainer, 7303rd Medical Training Support Battalion, Fort Gordon, Georgia, Chief Wardmaster, 348th General Hospital, Fort Dix, New Jersey, Healthcare Specialist, 690th Medical Company, Fort Benning, Georgia, 110th Quarter Master Company, Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia, 535th Engineer Grafenwoehr, Germany, 94th Engineer, Vilseck Germany. SGM Oliver served in combat in Iraqi in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom.
SGM Oliver’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal-(5), United States Army Commendation Medal (6), Army Achievement Medal (2), Army Good Conduct Medal (7), Overseas Service Ribbon (3), Army Service Ribbon, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (4), National Defense Service Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Service Medal with 2 stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Service Medal with 10 yr. device-Bronze hourglass, NATO Medal.
SGM Oliver’s military education includes Basic Training, Primary Leadership Development Course, Total Army Instructor Training Course, Emergency Medical Technician-Basic Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officer’s Course, Advanced Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Structured Self Development Level III, IV and V, Battle Staff Course, Master Leaders Course, Anti-Terrorism Level II Course, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, Supervisory Development Course Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I & II and the United States Army Sergeant Major Academy. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Applied Behavior Science from Ashford University.
Oliver is married to Daryl Oliver and has three children, Darius (29), Khalajha (23) and Zion (14).
August 16, 2022
CSM Edward A. Bell is our “Veteran of the Week!”
Edward A. Bell (Ed) is a decorated service member who retired from the U.S. Army on December 1st, 2020, after 33 years of service to our nation. The majority of his professional stewardship has been dedicated to advising, coaching, and optimizing organizational professional and personal performance. Ed currently serves as Military Base Support Coordinator for the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs advocating for the nearly 70,000 active-duty military members and their families that are geographically dispersed throughout South Carolina and North Augusta (Fort Gordon).
Ed holds several degrees and certifications to include a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Touro University (Summa Cum Laude); Executive Leadership Certification from the University of Kansas; Demonstrated Master Logistician Certification from the International Society of Logistics and the Army Logistics University; Professional Logistics Engineer Certification from both the North Carolina Department of Labor and US Department of Labor; Executive Leader Development Certification from the US Army War College and Pre-Command Graduate of the Joint Special Operations Forces Course, TRADOC Course, Command and General Staff College Course and a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace certification from the University of South Florida, Muma College of Business.
CSM Bell’s military education includes Basic Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Senior Leader Course, First Sergeant Course, Battle Staff Course, Drill Sergeant Course, Master Fitness Course, Air Movement Operations Course, Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, US Army Force Management Course, Nominative Level Legal Orientation Course and United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Class (56).
Ed has more than 14 years of service as a Senior Enlisted Advisor/Leader, his most notable assignments include Drill Sergeant/Senior Drill Sergeant, Golf Company 244th QM Battalion, Fort Lee Virginia; Command Sergeant Major 3rd Special Forces Group Support Battalion, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Command Sergeant Major 82nd Sustainment Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Command Sergeant Major 23rd Quartermaster Brigade, Fort Lee, Virginia; Command Sergeant Major 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Command Sergeant Major 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), Fort Knox, Kentucky and his career culminated as Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4 Sergeant Major, Pentagon, Washington DC.
Ed’s seven deployments include Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm; Operation Iraqi Freedom; Operation Enduring Freedom II, XI, XIII, XIV; and Operation Spartan Shield XVI.
His awards and decorations include but are not limited to: Distinguish Service Medal, Legion of Merit (4th award), Bronze Star Medal (4th award) and Meritorious Service Medal (4th award). Australian Parachutist Badge, Royal Dutch Parachutist Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge Distinguished Order of Saint Martin, and Honorable Order of Saint Christopher; additionally. In July 2020 Ed was recognized by the Mayor in his hometown of Princeville NC receiving a Special Proclamation Certificate (Resolution) for his service to the nation.
We thank CSM Edward A. Bell for his service in the military and his current service to Veterans, Service Members and their Families here in South Carolina and at SCDVA!
August 23, 2022
William Smith is our “Veteran of the Week!”
Mr. William Smith is a retired Army Combat Medic and currently serves as the Military Constituent Service Representative for Senator Lindsey Graham's office in Columbia.
After high school, William attended Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology and played varsity tennis for the University for four years. His team was recognized by the Howard Payne Sports Hall of Fame for qualifying for the NAIA National Championships in 1991.
William enlisted in the Army in 1992 and completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri with Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas where he earned the MOS 68W, Combat Medic. William’s duty assignments include 6/27th Field Artillery - Fort Sill, Oklahoma (Line Medic); 1/72 Armor, 2ID - Camp Case, Korea (Aid Station NCO/Medical Supply Sergeant); 2/8 Infantry (Mechanized), 4ID, Fort Hood, Texas (Forward Aid Station NCOIC); 4/42 Field Artillery, 4ID, Fort Hood, Texas (Iraq 2005-2006 OIF)( Platoon Sergeant); 2/345th A/C R/C, Fort Jackson, South Carolina (Operations NCO); Victory Support Brigade – Fort Jackson, South Carolina (First Aid Range NCOIC); HMEDDAC - Heidelberg, Germany (First Sergeant). William and his medics were responsible for point of injury medical treatment and evacuations from MSR Tampa and the area around Camp Taji, Iraq from 2005-2006. William proudly retired from the Army with 20 years of active duty service in 2012.
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award), Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Army Achievement Medal (8th Award), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (6th award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd award), and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
William has proudly worked for Senator Graham’s Columbia office since May of 2018 where it is his passion to take care of constituents needing assistance with VA and military matters in fourteen counties. Military bases that fall under his coverage are Fort Jackson, Shaw AFB, McEntire JNGB, McCrady Training Center and the Savanah River Site under the Department of Energy. William lives in Elgin, SC with his wife Marcia and 17-year-old son Dave.
August 29, 2022
Brigadier General (Ret.) Twanda "Tia" Young is our Veteran of the Week!
Ret. Brigadier General Twanda E. Young is revered for her historic accomplishments and her outstanding leadership and service to her country as an officer and “Woman Warrior” in the United States Army. Young, a 1989 graduate of Claflin University, was the first woman commissioned from the ROTC cross-enrollment program at South Carolina State’s Bulldog Battalion to earn the rank of Brigadier General. Young's stellar military career led to her being a Class of 2018 inductee into the Claflin University Hall of Fame.
On Friday, August 26, 2022 a Veteran Women Monument, the first at a Historically Black College/University (HBCU), was unveiled featuring BG Twanda Young at Claflin University.
Young has served in command and staff positions in the continental United States and Hawaii with First Army, Joint Forces Command, U.S. Army Reserve Command, and in Afghanistan with NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (NTM-A/CSTC-A). Among her other key assignments were G1, U.S. Army Reserve Command; Commander, Theater Support Group-Pacific; Army Reserve Warrior Transition Liaison Program Manager; CJ1, Chief Strategic Initiatives (Kabul, Afghanistan); and Executive Training Officer, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Division.
Young presently serves in the Executive-in-Residence program at Bowie State University. The program encourages exceptional leaders who are distinguished alumni, or representatives from corporate, education, government, non-profits, and other sectors to support students and the mission of the university.
We thank Claflin University and Brigadier General Twanda Young for inviting SCDVA to take part in the historic unveiling of the Veteran Women Monument at Claflin in Young's honor!
*Information in this article was provided by Claflin University.
September 7, 2022
Colonel (Ret.) Charles D. "Hawk" Mills is our Veteran of the Week!
Colonel Charles D. “Hawk” Mills is a transitioning US Army Officer having contributed over 20 years of honorable service in support of US strategic initiatives and Department of Defense global operations. Throughout his career, COL Mills held diverse positions culminating in executive leadership roles with the nation’s most complex operational organizations. As a builder of international coalitions and domestic partnerships, COL Mills joined multilateral resources to strengthen collaborative capabilities. Moreover, his influence transformed enterprise-level doctrine, policy, and procedures while developing specialized workforce expertise and optimizing training programs that sharpened America’s national security instruments.
COL Mills is known for being the catalyst of enterprise-level change. His proven ability to develop strategic planning and convert corporate designs into operational successes is evident throughout his career. Hawk’s leadership synchronized multinational operations, enabled rapid mobilizations of multi-million-dollar resources, and assured global positioning of high-value technical systems and state-of-the-art platforms. A veteran of multiple deployments to international locations earned him distinguished service accolades to include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star.
COL Mills is married to Dr. Andrea Hampton-Mills. They share two sons and one daughter, all college graduates and community contributors. Hawk continues to deliver a positive influence in the community. He is a lifetime member and active mentor in the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and currently serves as the Director of Christian Education and Leadership at his local church. His professional and personal achievements both in and out of uniform earned him recognition and placement in the Claflin University Hall of Fame.
COL Mills' extensive education includes a Master of Public Administration from Troy University, a Master of Military Arts & Science from the School of Advanced Military Studies, a Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Claflin University. Mills also received executive training from the Command and General Staff College for Joint Senior Staff Course and Director of Mobility Forces Course as well as the Harvard Extension School for Design Thinking.
Some of COL Mills' most recent positions include being the U.S. Army's Director of War Game Center for the Special Operations Command in Tampa, FL, Fire Support Coordinator in Kuwait and Brigade Commander at the Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii.
*Photo below provided to Live 5 News from Dr. Andrea Hampton-Mills
COL Mills and his brother, Jimmy, both retired from the Army on June 1, 2021 with over six decades of military service combined. You can read more about their story here.
September 12, 2022
Command Sergeant Major Algrish C. Williams, Sr. is our Veteran of the Week!
Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Algrish C. Williams is a native of Jamaica, raised in Boston, MA. He enlisted in the United States Army on August 28, 1995. He received his Artillery Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, OK and reclassified to Personnel Administrative Specialist September 1998. His final assignment was the Command Sergeant Major for United States Army Garrison, Ft Jackson.
CSM Williams' duty assignments included:3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, Fort Jackson, SC; Human Resources Command, Enlisted Personnel Management Directorate, Fort Knox, KY; Joint Chiefs of Staff, J35, Pentagon, DC; Defense Language Institute English Language Center, Lackland AFB, TX; Defense Programs Support Activity, Elkridge, MD; 165th Infantry Brigade, Fort Jackson, SC; 72nd Field Artillery Brigade, First Army, Division East Fort Meade, MD/Fort Dix, NJ; 2nd Recruiting Brigade, Atlanta, GA; Great Plains Regional Veterinary Command, Fort Sam Houston, TX; and 1st Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, OK.
Overseas Assignments included: Camp Casey, Korea and Baghdad Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. During his career, CSM Williams has served in various positions such as: Cannon Crew Member, Training Room Clerk, Personnel Administrative Specialist, Recruiter, Human Resources Sergeant, Brigade Senior Human Resources Sergeant, Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Senior Drill Sergeant, Forward Operating Base, Mayor Cell Senior Enlisted Advisor under the Deputy Commanding General (Advising and Training) FOB Union III in Baghdad, Administrative Supervisor/Executive Assistant Liaison, First Sergeant, Superintendent, JS/J35 NCOIC, Force Alignment Division Sergeant Major/Military Schools Branch Sergeant Major, and 3-34 IN Regt Command Sergeant Major.
CSM Williams’ military and civilian education and training include all levels of professional military education, Recruiting Management Course, Drill Sergeant Course, Army Combatives Trainer Level 1 Course, Total Army Instructor Training Course, Brigade S-1 Operations Course, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Course, Alternative Dispute Resolution Course, Security Cooperation Management Training Officer Course, Master Resilience Trainer Course, Fitness Leader Course, Safety Officer/NCO Course, EO Leaders Course, Field Sanitation Team Course, Unit Armorer Course and Combat Lifesaver Course. He graduated summa cum laude with a Master’s in Public Administration and was inducted into the Pi Alpha Alpha International Honor Society.
CSM Williams' awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal , Army Commendation Medal (2OLC), Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (6OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (8th award), National Defense Service Medal (w/ Bronze Star), Iraq Campaign Medal (w/2 Bronze Star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (w/ Bronze Star), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 2), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (1OLC), Army Superior Unit Award, Joint Staff Identification Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, Recruiter Ring and Gold Recruiter Badge (w/3 sapphires), Drivers Badge Wheel and Track, and Expert Marksmanship Badge. He was also a recipient of the prestigious Order of the Horatio Gates Gold and Bronze and the Saint Barbara award.
CSM Williams is married to the former Regina Kelty of Philadelphia, PA and they have five children: Régine, Alicia, Algrish, Jr, Andrew, and Saniyah.
*Information in this article was provided by the U.S. Army
Command Sergeant Major Edwin T. Brooks is our Veteran of the Week!
Command Sergeant Major Edwin T. Brooks was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He enlisted in the United States Army on 28 March 1990. He completed One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Benning, GA as an Infantryman (11B). During his career CSM Brooks has served in every leadership position from team leader to Command Sergeant Major, and has served in two other Career Management Fields (CMF) to include Intelligence Analyst (35D) and Human Resource Specialist (42A).
CSM Brooks’ unit assignments include: HHC, 4th Ranger Training Brigade, Ft. Benning, GA where he served as an OPFOR Specialist; A Company, 2/504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, NC where he served as an Infantry Team Leader; Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 111th Military Intelligence (MI) Brigade, Ft. Huachuca, AZ where he served as a Human Resource Specialist; Charlie Company, 309th MI Battalion, Ft. Huachuca, AZ where he served as an Intelligence Analyst; Charlie Company, 1/503rd Infantry Regiment (AASLT), 2d Infantry Division, Camp Hovey, Korea where he again served as an Infantry Team Leader; Alpha, Charlie, and HHC, 2/505th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, NC where he served as a Rifle Squad Leader and Battalion Air NCO; Bravo Company, 1/507th PIR, Ft. Benning, GA where he served as a Basic Airborne Course Instructor; Bravo Company, 2/1st Infantry Regiment, 172d Stryker Brigade, Ft. Wainwright, AK where he served as a Rifle Platoon Sergeant and Company First Sergeant; HHC, 1/24th Infantry Regiment, 1-25th Infantry Division, Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), Ft. Wainwright, AK where he served as First Sergeant and Battalion CSM; HHC, 1-25th I.D. (SBCT), Ft. Wainwright, AK where he served as First Sergeant and Brigade Troops Battalion CSM; Operations Sergeant Major 192d Infantry Brigade, Ft. Benning, GA; Command Sergeant Major 2-54th Infantry Regiment (IOSUT), Ft. Benning, GA; Office of the Chief of Infantry (OCOI) as the Infantry proponent SGM, Fort Benning, GA; CSM of 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment at Fort Jackson, SC; and his last unit of assignment was serving as the CSM 2nd BSB, 393rd Infantry Regiment, 120th Infantry Brigade, 1st Army Division West at Fort Hood, TX. CSM Brooks’ final assignment was as the 32nd Regimental Sergeant Major of the United States Army 3d Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia. He ultimately culminated his career at 31 years and 3 days of honorable service to our Nation.
CSM Brooks’ military training includes: Basic Airborne Parachutist Course; Warrior Leaders Course; Basic Instructor Training Course; Jumpmaster School; Air Movement Operations Course; Advanced Leaders Course; Pathfinder School; Ranger School; Bradley Transition Course; Senior Leaders Course; the First Sergeant Course; and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 62.
CSM Brooks’ awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal (V-device, 2 OLC); Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC); Army Commendation Medal (7 OLC); Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (10th Award), National Defense Medal (#2), Kosovo Campaign Medal (2 Bronze Stars); Iraqi Campaign Medal (3 Bronze Stars); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Korea Defense Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (#5); Army Service Medal; Overseas Service Medal (3th Award); NATO Medal; Multinational Force and Observer Medal; Australian Parachutist Badge; Master Parachutist Badge; Pathfinder Badge; the Combat and Expert Infantryman Badges; the Ranger Tab; and the Order of St. Maurice. He has also earned an AAS-Liberal Arts degree from Excelsior College.
CSM Brooks has been married to the former Erika Patrice Prude for 31 years, and has two daughters, Auriel and Aliyah.
October 10, 2022
Command Sergeant Major Omar K. Mosley is our Veteran of the Week!
Command Sergeant Major Omar K. Mosley is a native of St. Stephen, South Carolina. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1994 after graduating High School. He completed One Station Unit Training at FT. Benning, GA as a Mechanized Infantrymen. During his career, CSM Mosley has served in every leadership position in the Infantry throughout his career, ranging from Riflemen to First Sergeant.
His duties and assignments include Battalion Command Sergeant Major 3rd Battalion 13th Infantry Regiment Fort Jackson, SC, ACFT NCOIC Leader Training Brigade, Fort Jackson, SC, First Sergeant Bull Troop 1st Squadron 2nd Calvary Regiment, Vilseck Germany, First Sergeant Bravo Company 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment Fort Jackson, SC, First Sergeant Eco Company 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment Fort Jackson SC, Battalion Operation Sergeant 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment Schofield Barracks Hawaii, Platoon Sergeant Alpha Company 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Schofield Barracks Hawaii, Drill Sergeant 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Fort Benning GA, Squad Leader Alpha Company 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Fort Carson CO, Section Leader A Company 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment Fort Stewart GA, Team leader Delta Company 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment Fort Carson, CO, and Delta Company 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment Fort Carson, CO.
CSM Mosley’s military and civilian education includes: Basic Leaders Course, Equal Opportunity Advisor Course, Unit Prevention Leader Course, Advance Leadership Course, Unit Movement Officer Course, Bradley Master Gunner School, Drill Sergeant School, Senior Leadership Course, Transportation of Hazardous Material Course, Company Commander / First Sergeant Course, Project Management Course, Master Resilience Course, and the Sergeants Major Academy. He has a Associates of Science in General Education from Troy University, Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice from Troy University and a Masters of Science in Management with a concentration in human Resource Management from Excelsior College.
CSM Mosley’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC) Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (7 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (9 OLC), Valorous Unit Award (2 OLC), Meritorious Unit Commendation (2 OLC), Army Superior Unit Award (2 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Arm Forces Expeditionary Medal (3 OLC), Afgan Campaign Medal (2 OLC), Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 OLC), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commission Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (6 Tour), NATO Medal (2nd Award), Multi-National Force and Observers Medal (2nd Award), Drill Sergeant Badge, Master Gunner Identification Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge and the Drivers Badge (T).
CSM Mosley is a member of the Honorable Order of St. Maurice and the Prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.
CSM Mosley is married to the former Tesha S.White of St. Stephen, SC and together they have four children: Corrina, Darius, En’Deyah (India), and A’Mariyah (‘Mari).
October 17, 2022
Sergeant Karinna Thompson is our Veteran of the Week!
SGT Karinna Thompson served in the Marine Corps from 2000 to 2008 as an aviation ordnance systems technician and was deployed multiple times to the Middle East in support of the Global War on Terrorism and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Being the second oldest of eight children and one of five Veteran siblings, she is the only female Marine to serve from either line of her family. After leaving the military, SGT Thompson has worked in the service sector for many years until the pandemic. She then decided to further her education and became a first-generation undergraduate student in 2021 to pursue a degree in Geology, specializing in Hydrogeology and minoring in Computer Science. SGT Thompson is projected to graduate in Spring 2025.
Karinna is considered to be one of the most motivated students at Clemson University by her peers, due to the way she balances her schoolwork, service to community and country, and her personal life. SGT Thompson is said to exude a helper's spirit and is always looking for ways that she can improve the student veteran experience at Clemson University, specifically the female experience.
Thompson holds many roles at Clemson University including Event Coordinator for SVA (Student Veterans Association), a liaison to partner organizations (Veteran One, One Nation Coffee, Annual Tigers for the Troops golf tournament, etc.), and she is one of only two student Veterans from Clemson University to serve as a South Carolina Palmetto Pathfinder. Thompson also serves as a work study student in Clemson's Military & Veteran Engagement Office. She actively participates in community service such as Old Stone Church Cottage workdays, University Welcome Week events, Tiger Prowl, 9/11 Remembrance event, and she is the primary coordinator for Military & Veteran Engagement for all home tailgate events sponsored by various community partners. As a female combat Veteran in the Marines, SGT Thompson works tirelessly for student Veterans and military-connected students, specifically for those on the periphery of military service.
October 25, 2022
Specialist Tiffania Ham Fayall is our Veteran of the Week!
Retired US Army Reserves Specialist Tiffania Ham Fayall is our newest Veteran of the week! Fayall is the Government Operations Analyst for National Strategy & Engagement at Boeing South Carolina. In her current role she focuses on engaging and building relationships with Boeing’s internal and external government, employees, and community customers across the state of South Carolina. She strives to leverage Boeing’s business goals and objectives while strategically building relationships with all customers.
In 2008, Fayall accepted a position with Global Aeronautical in South Carolina fuselage subassembly facility for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner program as an aircraft mechanic. She later become the BSC site supplier quality lead, ensuring compliance of certificates, products and materials with the Quality Management System and FAA guidelines. After completing her Associate degree in Leadership Development at Trident Technical College in 2015, she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Management in Project Management and Human Resource from Embry Riddle Aeronautical and a certificate in Information Security.
Fayall was born and raised in Alvin, SC and has three children. She is active in the community as a volunteer and is the current chair of Women in Aviation International, Palmetto Pride Chapter of SC where she helps promote, empower, and encourage youths and adults in careers through STEM education, scholarships, personal development, networking, mentoring, and expanding the aviation industry. Fayall believes, “If you put your heart in it, what you communicate will reach the hearts of others”. Fayall is also a member of various aerospace organizations working to support the growth, development, and success of minority youths; to include Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. - Hiram Mann/Joint Base Charleston chapter, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Ace Basin Squadron of Walterboro, SC, National Honor Society, several Boeing Resource Groups (BRG) and External Affiliates and the Dream Learners program, such as Boeing Veteran Engagement Teams (BVET), Boeing Black Employees Association (BBEA), and Boeing Women Inspiring Leadership (BWIL).
October 31, 2022
Lieutenant Colonel Robin Phoenix Johnson is our Veteran of the Week!
Retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel Robin Phoenix Johnson is our newest Veteran of the week! After serving over 20 years in the Army, LTC Johnson found her new mission in healing people, organizations, and communities through humor. Johnson created Best Medicine Brigade to give Veteran and military spouse comedians performance opportunities. Voted as Charleston's Best Comic of 2022, LTC Johnson is currently on tour opening for Andrew Conn and has performed at Carolines on Broadway, Atlanta Comedy Theater, Charlotte Comedy Zone, and other venues all over the country.
Johnson's passion is the applied and therapeutic use of humor for mental health which is why she also facilitates HEAL*ARIOUS, a humor therapy program for Veterans. LTC Johnson is a Level 2 Certified Humor Professional with the Association For Applied and Therapeutic Humor and a comedy boot camp instructor for Armed Services Arts Partnership. She also gives motivational talks about the applied and therapeutic use of humor and is currently providing humor therapy for three Veterans Affairs facilities. LTC Johnson is also involved with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3137 (Post on the Coast).
We thank Lowcountry Regional Integration Officer, Brennan Beck for nominating Retired Lieutenant Colonel Robin Johnson for Veteran of the Week!
November 7, 2022
Captain Robert Williams is our Veteran of the Week!
US Navy Captain Robert Williams is our newest Veteran of the week! CAPT Williams was born in Boynton Beach, Florida and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. He attended the University of South Carolina where he graduated in 1991. He enlisted in the Navy in 1992 and was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in 1995.
His sea tours began aboard USS THOMAS S. GATES (CG 51), where he served as Electrical Officer. In April 1998, CAPT Williams reported to Special Boat Unit TWENTY where he served as Detachment Alpha, Officer in Charge. In July 2000, CAPT Williams reported to USS DEWERT (FFG 45) and served as the Operations Officer. In March 2002, he arrived onboard Commander, Destroyer Squadron TWO FOUR as the Operations Officer. CDS-24 deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and served as Commander, Task Force 60.
His Command tours include, fleeting up to Commanding Officer in USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (FFG 58), and most recently serving as Commander, Military Sealift Command Far East in Singapore, one of five Area Commanders worldwide for MSC assuming these duties in April 2018, and will be returning to COMSCFE as the Commander in October 2022. CAPT Williams has attended the Naval Postgraduate School where he earned a Master of Business Administration in Financial Management in December 2005 and National War College where he earned a Master of Science in National Security Strategy in June 2015.
His shore tours included: The Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller) served as the contingency analyst. He then transferred to the Joint Staff, J8, Program Budget Analysis Division (PBAD) where he served as the Program and Budget analyst for Navy and U.S. Pacific Command. Post Commander Command, he was reassigned to ASN (FM&C) as Assistant Director, Financial Management and Budget and Assistant to Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy – Budget. He was the Shipbuilding and Modernization program lead in OPNAV N801, the Bullpen. Most recently he served in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) as a Congressional Appropriations Liaison in the Budget and Appropriations Affairs Directorate. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medals; Navy Commendation Medals; Navy Achievement Medals and various unit and service awards.
November 14, 2022
Sergeant Landon Pitts is our Veteran of the Week!
Retired US Army Sergeant Landon Pitts is our newest Veteran of the Week! SGT Pitts served six years in the South Carolina Army National Guard before transitioning to Active Duty Army for nearly two years before being honorably discharged for medical reasons. Pitts states that it was during his time in the military that he realized his passion for helping and serving others and that his military service gave him a sense of purpose.
SGT Pitts is currently a Palmetto Pathfinder and Vice President of the Student Veterans of America program at Winthrop University. Pitts also volunteers with the Veteran Bridge Home at Pathways Community Center in Rock Hill where he assists Veterans who live in poverty find various resources to ease the burden of their situations. SGT Pitts also serves as a volunteer at Carolina Community Actions where he assists case managers with filing paperwork, assisting individuals in the community with resumes, job placement, and rent assistance. Pitts is currently continuing his education and hopes to have a career in vocational rehabilitation.
November 21, 2022
Lieutenant Rainier "Ray" Rakhar is our Veteran of the Week!
Reserve US Coast Guard Lieutenant Rainier "Ray" Rakhar is our newest Veteran of the Week! LT Rakhar began his military career in 1999 when he joined the US Army as an enlisted soldier. He served in administrative and Military Police units during his enlistment and became a NCO. He deployed in 1999 to assist in Operation New Hope in El Salvador after Hurricane Mitchell and witnessed the fall of the World Trade Center in 2001 in NYC. While serving as an NCO, he continued pursuing a degree in Health Sciences and became a Physician Assistant in 2003 graduating on the Dean’s list at Long Island University, Brooklyn Hospital Center. LT Rakhar was later commissioned to 1st Lieutenant in the US Army as a 65D and was assigned to the 841st Combat Engineers in 2009.
In 2010, he volunteered and went to Haiti with an Orthopedic Trauma team after the Earthquake of Haiti. In 2011, LT Rakhar was called to action and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He provided medical care at a Level 1 Battalion Aid Station in RC-North, Afghanistan. He was awarded the Afghanistan Campaign medal, NATO medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Medal. Upon his return from Afghanistan, he was promoted to Captain and was honorably discharged in 2014. During his military service as a Medical Officer, LT Rakhar specialized in Orthopedic surgery and emergency medicine as a civilian. In 2019, he volunteered again in efforts for humanitarian aid following Hurricane Dorian in Bahamas. He later transitioned to the VA and continued emergency medical services. In 2020, he decided to the join the military again and completed The US Coast Guard reserve officer candidate indoctrination (ROCI) course in New London, CT.
He continued his military career as a Medical Officer and was assigned to USCG Port Security 307 in Clearwater, FL. Shortly after he was assigned to PSU 307, he was on Title 10 orders in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba serving with Joint Task Force Bravo. He earned the Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon. Lieutenant Rakhar now resides in Fort Mill, SC working in South Charlotte VA in Primary Care services. He continues his military duties in Clearwater, FL. He stands ready to be deployed when needed as he is part of the USCG expeditionary group that provides anti-terrorist force protection and coastal defense for missions inside and outside the United States. LT Rakhar is also an active member in Veterans Affairs Physician Assistant Association (VAPAA) and American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA).
November 28, 2022
Sergeant Brennan Beck is our Veteran of the Week!
U.S. Army Sergeant Brennan Beck is our newest Veteran of the Week! 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.
December 5, 2022
Retired Staff Sergeant Tracy Robinson-Hughes is our Veteran of the Week!
Retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Tracy Robinson-Hughes is our newest Veteran of the Week! SSG Robinson-Hughes served 21 years in the United States Army in the Transportation Logistics corps and received an honorable discharge. She is also a combat veteran serving in Operation Iraq freedom. In addition to her duties in logistics and transportation she traveled around the world as a lead vocalist with the United States Army Soldier show which provided entertainment to military service members around the world. SSG Robinson-Hughes retired from the military in 2007 and settled in Hanahan, SC with her family where she works as an independent travel agent.
SSG Robinson-Hughes also serves as the troop leader for Girl Scout Troop 387. Her troop is the largest in eastern South Carolina with over 100 young girls participating. She lives by the motto of G.I.R.L (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) and believes that providing the girls with courage, confidence, and character will prepare them to make the world a better place. SSG Robinson-Hughes also advocates for education, encouraging her girl scouts to seek opportunities and training whenever they can. She has always been service-minded, supporting others no matter the obstacle.
SSG Robinson-Hughes is also an active volunteer with organizations such as Palmetto Goodwill, Palmetto Warrior Connection Red, White, and Blue Jean ball and Palmetto Goodwill Self Advocacy group, She also is active in participating in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and the Annual Veteran appreciation day at Royal Church in North Charleston.
December 12, 2022
Retired Chief Warrant Officer 2 Reginald Hughes, Sr. is our Veteran of the Week!
Retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Reginald Hughes, Sr. is our newest Veteran of the Week! CW2 Hughes served in the United States Army and retired after 20 plus years of service performing a variety of jobs in the Logistics field and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer. Reginald was awarded the Bronze Star in 2003 for his service in Iraq. He joined Goodwill in 2007 and took on the role of Project manager at the Naval Weapons Station Commissary where after a year he was promoted to Operations manager, then Director, VP and now Executive Director. Reginald completed Food Service Contracting Officer course at Fort Lee.
As Executive Director of Palmetto Goodwill Services, CW2 Hughes is responsible for overseeing both Commercial and SourceAmerica AbilityOne contracts. He also leads the Safety/Security program for the organization that includes processing of secret security clearances for employees. In this capacity he leads a team of over four hundred responsible for efficient and effective delivery of services to the federal customer on five military installations performing a variety of business lines. He has also led projects such as Operation Virgin Island, where he created a partnership through the ASL program where eight new/used laptops were donated to deaf and hard of hearing families in the Virgin Islands to provide support for individuals with little or no resources; and Operation Cool Breeze where he partnered with a local non-profit to help save the lives of seniors in the community by providing free AC units and fans during the hot summer months.
Hughes currently serves as the Chairperson for the Rewards & Recognition, Quality Work Environment committees and has been able to secure grants totaling over $38,500 dollars used toward employee initiatives. He is also a part of the Palmetto Goodwill Self-Advocacy Committee, NCSE Public Policy Self-Advocacy Committee Chair, a Royal Foundation board member, Exchange Club of Charleston member, Quality Work Environment Committee Chair, Hippie Dash Self-Advocacy Committee member, volunteers with 415 Boy Scouts and is the 2022 Charleston Metro Chamber Advocacy Champion.
December 19, 2022
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Sorrenti is our Veteran of the Week!
Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Sorrenti is our newest Veteran of the Week! LTC Sorrenti joined the military in May 2002 as a Signal Corps Soldier. He was deployed to Kuwait/Iraq in 2004 and returned home in 2005 after being awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his meritorious service. In 2007, he started and completed Officer Candidate School and became a Military Police Officer. In 2009, LTC Sorrenti completed a joint training mission with over NATO countries in Croatia. In 2011, he completed a humanitarian mission in El Salvador. In 2013, he was deployed to Kosovo for another NATO mission and returned home in 2014. Over the next few years, he was activated multiple times in support of hurricane response missions throughout the state of South Carolina (Hurricanes Joaquin 2015, Matthew 2016, Irma 2017, Florence 2018, and Dorian 2019). In 2020, LTC Sorrenti was activated again in support of COVID-19 response missions and civil disturbance activities throughout South Carolina. He retired from the Army on June 30, 2022.
Throughout his 20 years of service, LTC Jonathan Sorrenti held the following positions: Multichannel Systems Operator/Maintainer, Information Technology Specialist, Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Brigade S4 Materials Management Center Chief, Brigade S2 Vulnerability Assessment Officer, Battalion S3 Maneuver and Mobility Support Officer, Company Commander, Battalion S4 Supply Officer, Joint Operations Center Provost Marshal Operations Officer, and Battalion S3 Operations Officer. LTC Sorrenti currently serves as the Educational Technology Systems Manager at Midlands Technical College (MTC) where he provides assistance with the college’s learning management system as well as other educational technology systems. He also provides technological training to those outside of the MTC community has been active in improving the college's software for all learners. Along with these duties, LTC Sorrenti also serves as an adjunct instructor for information technology systems at MTC.
He has received numerous military awards and decorations including: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1 Bronze Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (1 Silver / 1 Bronze Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal (1 Bronze Campaign Star), Iraq Campaign Medal (2 Bronze Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2 Device, M Device, and Silver Hour Glass), Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon (2 Device), Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon (2 Device), NATO Kosovo Service, South Carolina Retirement Medal, South Carolina Achievement Ribbon, South Carolina State Service Medal (20 Year Device), South Carolina Mobilization Support Ribbon.
He has also receive several civilian awards including: South Carolina Top 20 Under 40 May 2022, Service Excellence Leader June 2018, League of Innovation Award 2016, MTC Staff of the Year 2012, MTC Employee of the Month June 2011, Desire2Excell Innovation Award Finalist 2011, Bellwether Award Finalist 2011, and League of Innovation Award 2010
