Event honors veterans

KINGSTREE— Veterans were honored last week at a veteran appreciation event put on by the South Carolina Employment Security Commission (SCESC) at the Kingstree Workforce Center.
Tagged as “A tribute honoring Our Veterans” the event featured multiple speakers, who thanked servicemen and women for their work as well as showcased resources available for those former soldiers seeking employment.

“They (veterans) have made a sacrifice beyond probably what we could ever repay,” the center’s Area Director Jimmy L. Wilson said in his opening remarks. “But when you think about it, when do we take the time to say, ‘Thank you for your sacrifice?’”

The event began with the presentation of the colors by members of the C.E. Murray High School JROTC Unit, followed by addresses from Marion Bodison, SCESC Veteran Coordinator, retired Msg. Sgt. Marcellus Gordon and Sgt. Dennis Harvin, spokesperson for the local Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The theme of sacrifice took center stage for most of the speakers, emphasizing the commitment needed to do the incredible work servicemen and women do throughout their time in the armed forces.
Charles McCollough, the veteran representative for the Kingstree center and a veteran himself, discussed the unity and camaraderie that goes hand-in-hand with being in the armed forces; something that carries through well after their service is over. He also addressed how the sacrifices go beyond just the service people.

“I want to thank you for your service, for your dedication, for all the sacrifices you have made, for all the sacrifices that your loved one had to make,” McCollough said. “It isn’t easy…”

The life of a soldier is rarely and easy one and each speaker offered a unique interpretation of what that sacrifice meant to them and paid tribute in their own way.

Msg. Sgt. Gordon incorporated two pieces of his own poetry poems into his talk, remembering his experiences and outlining important issues that go along with being a veteran. He recounted his time growing up in Kingstree, farming during his early childhood, and how his experiences in the military launched his journey.

“I began this life in the dirt,” Gordon said. “And I’m going to end this life in dirt. What do you do in-between the time that you grow out of the dirt and are planted in the dirt? What do you do?”

In the middle of his address, Gordon paused as a servicemen arriving late to the proceedings slipped into the meeting room. “Welcome” he said, offering a salute. “Thank you for the job you are doing.”
Sgt. Harvin’s address began the discussion of services offered by and provided for veterans with his discussion of the local VFW and the purpose that they serve.

A number of other speakers followed the addresses with information regarding services available to veterans through a number of programs found at the center. Amy Carraway from the Workforce Investment Act Divison, Nicolle Gardner of employer relations, McCollough for Veteran Services, and LaBonte Fulton from Williamsburg Enterprise all gave brief presentations.

Bodison said the Kingstree happening officially kicked off the celebrations in what is the first year the SCEC has conducted such events. The celebrations and information sessions will continue through the holiday and the entire next week.

“Its just a way for us to thank the veterans for their service,” he said.

Bodison reiterated a point that was made several times throughout the meeting that when veterans come into the center for aid, they are moved to the front of the line for service aid.
The director comes from a family of veterans and is one himself. Five of his seven siblings are veterans, including one brother who died in Vietnam.

Following the event, a drawing was held for several door prizes and refreshments were served. The veterans present were invited to talk with staff about pursuing future career opportunities.
Events providing aid to veterans will be held throughout the state. More information can be found online at www.sces.org.

For more information regarding the Kingstree Workforce Center, visit their web site at www.kingstreeworkforce.org.