SASEBO, Japan – Information System Technician Seaman Dimitri Clay, from Irmo, assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) performs corrective maintenance on the ship’s hull, November 5. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.Continue Reading
Former Army officer and retired state defense force commander addresses veterans issues during Veterans Month By Chris Carter Nearing the end of Veterans Month – the 249th Marine Corps Birthday on Nov. 10 and Veterans Day (The American iteration of Armistice Day) on Nov. 11 – we posed aContinue Reading
ATLANTIC OCEAN – Retail Services Specialist Seaman Ty’Kera Rich, a Columbia, South Carolina, native, is serving aboard the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). On October 24, Rich was photographed making coffee for a customer in the ship’s coffee shop, showcasing her role in theContinue Reading
By Lawrence R. Coleman James Andrew Allen is an honored veteran of World War I and a little-known part of Irmo history. Allen was born in Irmo on July 8, 1890, to Jas R. Allen and Emma Long. Allen joined the military in June of 1918 and was assigned to theContinue Reading
Historic military organization traces its lineage to Francis Marion and a century prior By W. Thomas Smith Jr. THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE GUARD, the Palmetto State’s all-volunteer state defense force (organized state militia) celebrated its 350-plus-year heritage during a Veterans Day “Salute to Veterans” ceremony paying tribute to one ofContinue Reading
Major Jerry M. Free of Irmo, 86, was honored with the prestigious Order of the Palmetto on Friday, Oct. 25 at the Brookland Baptist Banquet and Conference Center. SC Representative Nathan Ballentine made the presentation in front of Free’s family, friends and neighbors including the Mayor of Irmo, Bill Danielson.Continue Reading
PACIFIC OCEAN (July 23) Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Christopher Bassett, from San Francisco, right, conducts helmsman training with Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Apprentice Henry Cortez, from Columbia, aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS O’Kane (DDG 77). O’Kane, assigned to the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, is underway conducting routine operationsContinue Reading
By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach GREAT LAKES, Ill. – A sailor’s training begins at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, otherwise known as boot camp. Every enlisted sailor starts their Navy journey at boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL), Illinois. Lt. John Caddle, V, aContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant, Jr. During Fort Jackson Night this past Saturday, the Lexington County Blowfish with Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott presented a check of $3,660 to USO South Carolina in support of the non-profit organization’s efforts to assist troops by providing them morale, welfare and recreation-type services. Portions ofContinue Reading
By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Lt. j.g. Jennifer Pilat, whose mother resides in Columbia recently completed training at Naval Chaplaincy School to serve as a chaplain for America’s seafaring warfighters. Pilat graduated from Irmo High School in 2003 and Virginia Theological Seminary in 2019.Continue Reading
The Columbia VA Healthcare System is inviting the community to a special Korean War Remembrance Ceremony on June 25. The event will take place at the Dorn VA Medical Center, located at 6439 Garners Ferry Road, starting at 11:00 AM. This occasion serves to honor the sacrifices and service ofContinue Reading