By Bill Connor Like many Afghan war veterans, I have watched the rapid Taliban seizure of Afghanistan with much deep emotion. I left my wife and three young children for a 15-month combat mobilization as an infantry officer adviser to Afghan National Security forces fighting the Taliban. I was fullyContinue Reading
The 9th& 10th Horse Cavalry Association held their 155th reunion in Columbia, SC from July 26th thru 29th. The reunion originally scheduled to be held in Columbia last year was postponed due to Covid. This year’s reunion would be the first mostly virtual reunion. During a meeting with Mayor SteveContinue Reading
Flag flew in combat during World War II By W. Thomas Smith Jr. A 76-year-old battle-worn United States flag was presented to the S.C. State Guard during ceremonies at the historic Olympia Armory in Columbia, July 10, coincidentally the final day of INDEPENDENCE WEEK 2021. The flag was donated byContinue Reading
Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) is getting an extra boost from Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, this Fourth of July. On July 4 Tractor Supply stores will honor the men and women of the Armed Forces with a biannual 15 percent discount to allContinue Reading
By W. Thomas Smith, Jr. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott was honored by the South Carolina Military Support Foundation (SCMSF), Thurs., May 20, for being named the National Sheriff’s Association (NSA) Sheriff of the Year for 2021. The recognition, a plaque commending Lott, was presented by Col. (Ret.) Steve Vitali,Continue Reading
Midlands Gives is an excellent way for members of the community to support many non-profits and help supply services and opportunities for our citizens. Special contribution matching days and promotions will be aired throughout the Midlands Gives program beginning Tuesday, May 4. Friends of Fisher House Columbia are working tirelessly to campaignContinue Reading
A Lexington-Richland School District Five teacher has been selected as the Lexington Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8738 Teacher of the Year. Dutch Fork High School teacher Kelly Eckstrom was nominated for the prestigious award by her peers for promoting citizenship education in her classroom and school. The groupContinue Reading
Thousands of trainees and soldiers will head home forthe holidays to connect with their loved ones if their destination has beenapproved. Fort Jackson is conducting Victory Block Leave differently thisyear due to COVID-19. Trainees and soldiers are leaving and returning in a safe and staggeredmanner starting on Dec. 17 andContinue Reading
The members of the Class of 2021 who join the thousands of alumni wearing The Citadel ring include: Irmo Zachary Adkins, Samuel De Los Santos, Jason Flowers, Karl Knizek, Brian Mills, Chase Muehl, Jonathan Owens, William Reid, Luke Solomon, Wesley Taylor, Juan Valencia Columbia Tyler Estridge, Charles Gray, Nadia SandlerContinue Reading
Students at River Springs Elementary School in Irmo celebrated Veterans in a unique way this year. The school tradition of hosting a special lunch to honor the service of family members changed because of COVID restrictions. This year the luncheon was replaced with a letter writing campaign. Students were askedContinue Reading
The culture and legacy of U.S. Marines By W. Thomas Smith Jr. AS WE NEAR THE 245TH BIRTHDAY OF MY MARINE CORPS, I was thinking about why annual November 10 birthday celebrations and simply being a Marine are so important to those of us who have worn the eagle, globe,Continue Reading