School Foundation to honor general from Florence on Sept. 24

A Florence high school graduate who rose to the rank of lieutenant general in the Army will be honored Sept. 24 at The School Foundation’s benefit gala at the Florence Civic Center.

Lt. General Charles W. Bagnal, 1952 graduate of McClenaghan High School, will receive Florence School District One’s Distinguished Graduate honor, the foundation announced. Bagnal was a West Point graduate who served in Vietnam and practiced law in Columbia after retiring from the military.

Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during George W. Bush’s administration, will serve as the guest speaker. Myers was named chief of staff shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America. He helped plan and execute the 2003 invasion of Iraq and served as chairman of the join chiefs until 2005.

“We are honored that General Myers will join us as we recognize Lt. General Bagnal as our 2009 distinguished graduate,” Frank James, treasurer of The School Foundation said.

“Having the 15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff serve as this year’s keynote speaker is a testament to Lt. General Bagnal’s character and exemplary service to the military. This gala certainly will prove to be Florence’s premier event of the year.”

Nearly 1,000 people are expected to attend the gala, which serves as the primary fundraiser for The School Foundation. The Foundation supports educational excellence in Florence School District One through grants for innovative and high impact programs designed to benefit all children.

Tickets begin at $75 for teachers and $100 for individuals. Tables of eight begin at $1,000 (bronze sponsorship), $2,500 (silver), $5,000 (gold) and $10,000 (platinum).

The School Foundation gala is vital to our success as an organization,” Fund Development Chairman Jean Leatherman said. “The dynamics of having almost 1,000 supporters in the Florence Civic Center cheering for public education is thrilling.

“Our children, teachers and faculty need that show of affirmation,” she said. “The financial support from this event and our wonderful contributors and corporate sponsors are the core of our existence.”
BB&T will sponsor a VIP reception in honor of Bagnal and Myers, said Debbie Hyler, executive director of the foundation.

Other graduates from Florence School District One who served in the military also will be honored during the event.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Hyler at (843) 662-9996 or by e-mailing .

Tickets also are available on the Foundation’s Web site (http://www.theschoolfoundation.org).