Honoring Veterans
Palmetto High School AFJROTC Cadet Saul Ramirez (wreath bearer) followed by Honor Guard Cadets Gracie Burton and Morgan Farmer presented a memorial wreath during the Veterans Day service held Monday in Williamston. Williamston Mayor Mack Durham, and Councilmen Tony Hagood and Chris Alexander also participated.
The Town of Williamston and the Palmetto High School AFJROTC unit held a Veterans Day service to recognize local veterans and honor those who gave their lives in service to the country.
The program was attended by WWII Veteran Army nurse Rosemond Kohmstedt, who at 99 years old is one of the oldest living Veterans of World War II. She served with the 65th Field Hospital in Europe taking care of injured soldiers in General George Patton’s 3rd Army through three different Campaigns including Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. (See separate story)
The program included presentation of colors by the Palmetto High School AFJROTC Color Guard, playing of the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Hailey MacNary sang the National Anthem.
Big Creek Baptist Church Pastor and Vietnam Veteran Ron Fousek was the guest speaker.
Laying of the memorial wreath was conducted by Palmetto High AFJROTC Cadets Saul Ramirez (wreath bearer) and Honor Guard Cadets Gracie Burton and Morgan Farmer. Williamston Mayor Mack Durham, and Councilmen Tony Hagood and Chris Alexander also participated.
The service included recognition of each branch of service with a medley of service anthems.
Cadet Julie Buckner rang a bell as each of the names of local veterans of World War I, Word War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan that are listed on the veterans memorial were read.
Included are:
WORLD WAR I
Julian W. Crawford, James M. Crow, John Dean, William H. Harrison, James O. Kirby, Major Lindley, Jay Mahaffey, James L. McClellion, James L. Morgan, Paul E. Ragsdale, Willie Scott, John E. Young.
WORLD WAR II
James H. Autry, John F. Allen, Tommy M. Bell, Johnny F. Beacham, Wayne C. Baker, Jack Bannister, Grady H. Canup, Fred B. Carter, Thomas D. Clardy, Clarence D. Crawford, S. H. Crawford, Noah Davis, Clinton Dean, Grady M. Dunlap, Roy Eskew, John S. Golden, Sam B. Heller, James E. Hunter.
Also James A. Hunter, C. L. Hiott, Erin E. Kay, Myron Martin, John D. McBreaty, James F. McCoy, John F. Myers, John W. Phillips, Floyd R. Rogers, Randolph C. Rogers, Harold Ross, Roy S. Smith, Gordan P. Stone, James W. Walls, Carl J. Williams, Homer Williams, Robert Williams, Nicholas L. Woods, William D. Watkins.
KOREA
Wallace Creamer, Joe E. Neely, Gordon R. Stanton, Leonard Thompson Jr., Melvin C. Mauldin Jr., James W. Blackmon.
VIETNAM
Albert E. Creamer, Johnny J. Cureton, Jr., David L. Ginn, William R. Lawless Jr., Melvin C. Mauldin, Jr., James W. Blackmon.
AFGHANISTAN
Nicholas J. Alden, Justin M. Whitmire.
