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Thursday, March 28, 2024 - 06:09 AM

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

First Published in 1994

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF
UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

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Sevier Middle School conducted the 15th Annual Veterans Day Memorial Service on Friday, November 11th, 2011.

Sevier is built on part of the Camp Sevier property.

Camp Sevier was an Army training camp built in 1916, because the U.S. Government needed more training facilities. Camp Sevier covered approximately 2,000 acres in size and covered land from present day Wade Hampton Blvd. to State Park Road, and from Mountain Creek Church Road to Reid School Road.

More than 100,000 soldiers were trained there before being shipped to Europe.

The Thirtieth Division (Old Hickory), which was based at Camp Sevier, received more honors than almost any other Division during World War I.

Today, Piedmont Park Baptist Church is located across the street where the Base Hospital once stood.

Greenville County owned the property and when the U.S. Government no longer had a need for the training facility, the County took back the property.

Sevier Middle School Principal, Mrs. Karen Kapp, welcomed all the Veterans and other guests to Sevier Middle School for the Memorial Service.

Wade Hampton High School Air Force JROTC Instructor Colonel Benjamin Pittman was the Master of Ceremonies.

Wade Hampton High AFJROTC Color Guard presented the colors, Sevier Middle School student body president Royal Carter led the Pledge of Allegiance and Sevier Middle School Chorus, under the direction of Ms. Jody Webb, sang the “National Anthem.”

Dr. Thomas Faulkner III, a U.S. Naval Reserves Veteran, was the featured speaker, and the theme of his speech was “Patriotism.”  He stated, “Veterans Day is a day when we remember the sacrifices of those in our Armed Forces to preserve our freedom in this wonderful country, the United States of America. The military demands a great deal from those who serve.

“To the students here today, the message that I want to leave with you is to ask you to remember who and why we serve. It is not for glory or the excitement of battle. The purpose of the military is to preserve our freedom and to enable others in the world to have the opportunity also to be free.

“When we remember and honor those in the military who have gone before us, let us remember first, those that have died, sacrifice their lives not only to preserve our own freedom but to offer the opportunity of freedom to others throughout the world.”

The Sevier Middle School Band, under the direction of Ms. Colleen Marsh, preformed several patriotic songs including the “Armed Forces March,” where veterans stood when they heard their branch of service song.

Wade Hampton High AFJROTC color guard performed the Flag Folding Ceremony, and the meaning of each fold was explained by Colonel Pittman.

The Sevier Middle School Chorus sang “God Bless the U.S.A.”

The Rifle Volley was performed by U.S. Marine Corps League Detachment 1145 under the command of Robert Krause.

TAPS was played by student Jonathan Levasseur. Preston Gravely closed the program by playing “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.

The important thing to remember is that people of all colors, creeds, and walks of life have made the supreme sacrifice for their country, and we salute them.

 

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