Hartsville soldier shows students personal display of gratitude

HARTSVILLE- A Hartsville soldier returned home to his old stomping grounds Friday at Hartsville High School, to show his gratitude for a school project that benefited soldiers overseas.

US Army Capt. Clyde "Bennett" Gore Jr. graduated from Hartsville High in 1998 and went on to pursue a career with the military, while his sister, Bebe Chapman, pursued a career as a teacher and eventually found herself back at home in Hartsville.

This past year, the siblings' paths intersected in a big way, when Chapman, a social studies teacher who oversaw the student government association, was looking for a project for her students.

As it turned out, she didn't have to look too far for inspiration.

Chapman decided to do a project that would involve the students collecting goods into boxes and shipping them to soldiers overseas, including her brother, who was stationed in Iraq.

She said she was overwhelmed at the amount of support the students showed, and said in a relatively short amount of time, the students were able to collect and ship about eight boxes, which were sent to soldiers in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

"I think the big thing is being remembered and these soldiers are so far from home and they sacrifice so much for us and their families sacrifice so much," said Chapman.

"It's so nice to know that you're remembered and you're thought of and the job that you're doing is appreciated," she said.

Capt. Gore said the soldiers were overjoyed to receive the shipments, which included such basic items as baby wipes, beef jerky and grits.

He said that having reminders of home helped to not only boost soldiers' morale, but also gave them a small feeling of home, when they were so far from their ordinary surroundings.

Those students involved in the project said it was a winning idea from the beginning and said that everyone chipped in to make it a success.

"We've done a lot of stuff and I think that was the most exciting because you actually get to help people who serve and fight for our country," said student Chelsea Atkinson, who serves as treasurer for the student government association.

On Friday, Capt. Gore tried to repay the favor, in some small way.

He took a flag that once flew over his soldiers at Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory in Iraq, framed it, and presented it to his sister, her students and the staff of Hartsville High School.

All of those who participated in the project felt it was a treasured gift that not only traveled across the world, but also showed the significance of the students' efforts to help soldiers overseas.

"It means a lot, because I know I couldn't go out there and do something like that and for them to walk through my steps at school and then go and fight for our country and put their lives on the line, it means a lot," Atkinson said.

"I feel honored that he would think enough of us to want to fly a flag over Al Faw Palace in our honor and it's very humbling," Chapman said.

Gore said the presentation was something he wanted to do as a personal token of affection and was not affiliated with any military's recognition.