For military veterans, working together and helping each other is a way of life, and that philosophy is the backbone of the South Carolina Combat Veterans Group.

"John Kerry has been very supportive of our group," Walt Mouzon, the group's commander, said Thursday. "This man has proven his worth. I feel he'd make a pretty darned good president. I am proud to support him."

Although the group is prohibited from political activity, its members may make endorsements as individuals.

About three dozen members of the group gathered at the Orangeburg County Courthouse to express support for Kerry in the Democratic Party's presidential primary in South Carolina next Tuesday.

From a discussion group with just a handful of members, the organization has grown to more than 300 veterans who meet weekly and occasionally sponsor dinners at the VA Medical Center in Columbia for hundreds of veterans, family members and staff members.

On the first Friday each May, the group meets at the Vietnam War memorial in downtown Columbia to pay respect to the men and women who never made it back home.

"On more than one occasion, John Kerry has come down to be our speaker," Sgt. Phil Sharperson said, adding that he believed Kerry "would show a lot of sensitivity" to veterans' issues as president.

Kerry "didn't take five deferments" from military duty and "didn't go in the National Guard and avoid the war. He didn't duck out. He answered America's call," said Johnny C. James, the group's executive officer.

Now it's time for veterans and their families to use their hard-earned right to register and vote and "answer Kerry's call" for support, James said.

"The best way to tell what people will do is to look and see what they've done," said state Rep. Jerry Govan of Orangeburg. Veterans are "America's bravest and finest" and have "given so much for this nation. The citizens owe you so much."

Govan noted that his uncle served in the Navy; one brother, in the Air Force; another brother, in the Army; and he himself with the Marines. And now his daughter is about to be commissioned a second lieutenant.

"I am a concerned father," Govan said. "We are all concerned about all of our sons and daughters who are serving right now in harm's way. We support them.

"We also realize we need leadership in the White House that will make good decisions as to whether they are going to send our sons and daughters in harm's way," Govan said.

"Kerry has stood tall and strong for veterans," Govan said. "He is a strong advocate for those who have put on the uniform and served."

Veterans have earned the nation's gratitude, Odell Middleton said. "We did what our president and our country asked us to do. ... This country is in bad shape. What we fought for has been taken away and our future is in jeopardy. John Kerry will change that and we will be able to survive."

A city public safety officer arrived, followed by others. They waited discreetly across the street until the event was over, then asked Govan whether he had obtained a permit for the event. The officer advised Govan to get a permit in the future.

"I wasn't aware you had to have a permit in a public place," Govan told The T&D. "This isn't like it's a march or anything like that. I've never heard of that. But we're fine."

Indeed. City Administrator John Yow said a permit was not needed for such an event. As to why the officer suggested otherwise to the state representative, Yow said: "That's a good question. I can't speculate. It sounds like a misunderstanding to me."

"If someone wants to gather on the courthouse steps, that's their prerogative," Yow said. "We're not going to require a permit for a group of 15 or 20 that are just gathering to endorse a candidate."

Larger groups desiring to use certain other public locations, such as Memorial Plaza, the downtown parking area or areas at Edisto Memorial Gardens, such as Centennial Park, are asked to obtain a permit in advance, Yow said.

"We require a review and a permit for logistical and safety reasons," Yow said. This gives the city time to gear up to provide appropriate traffic control and/or crowd control, and it eliminates the confusion of two groups showing up to use a public facility simultaneously.

T&D Staff Writer Lee Hendren can be reached by e-mail at lhendren@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5552.

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