An estimated 200 people gathered at the DPU Centennial Park Friday morning to honor past and present servicemen and women at the city's annual Veterans Day ceremony.

"Veterans Day reminds us that those who honorably served did so by choosing to do their duty," Bernie Chapman Jr., deputy director of the S.C. Office of Veterans Affairs and retired U.S. Army colonel, told those in attendance. "We chose to temporarily give up some personal liberties associated with military life to secure the greater liberties of our nation."

Chapman noted that currently there are 413,000 veterans in the state or about 10 percent of the population.

"Today's veterans come from every walk of life," Chapman said. "He or she was drafted or volunteered for service. All of our veterans gave some of their lives in your service, and some of our veterans gave their lives in your service."

But Chapman said all veterans had a few things in common, namely obligation, responsibility, loyalty and selfless service.

Chapman said a hallmark and "defining event" of any soldier is the taking of a military oath.

"We all knew that each of us made the same solemn promise and that this oath placed us in a different culture of values and expectations," he said. "Not in a culture of eliteness but one of honesty, integrity and service to others."

"Why do military take an oath?" Chapman asked.

"In America today, true commitment and verbal integrity can be hard to find. Commitments are made and commitments are broken every day," Chapman said. "Yet when you swear or affirm to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, you have made a special commitment that cannot be taken lightly."

"May we never forget that the lives of past American patriots have guaranteed our freedom today," Chapman continued. "Those who served in this noble profession of military service have earned our respect and gratitude. We thank all of our veterans for their selfless service to our country and to you."

In a special announcement, Orangeburg Mayor Paul Miller unveiled a conceptual drawing of a proposed veterans memorial. The memorial, which would honor veterans of all wars from all branches of the military services, is tentatively expected to placed within the vicinity of Edisto Memorial Gardens. Wes Summers of Summers & Associates is the project architect.

"I am happy to say it is getting closer to reality," Miller said. "I think you will be pleased with it, too. "

The memorial is expected to reach completion by the spring of 2007.

The obelisk will be 35 feet tall with a reflection pond in front as well as green spaces and seating areas. An obelisk is a tall, thin, four-sided, tapering monument which ends in a pyramidal top.

As it stands now, the memorial at the Lady Fountain in the entranceway of the gardens has names of the dead from only three wars -- World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

The project was added to the 1-cent sales tax referendum that voters passed in November 2004. As a result, the monument will receive, over seven years, a total of $375,000 in penny tax revenues -- $250,000 from the city and $125,000 from the county.

American Legion Post 4 Commander Jerry Lewis offered special recognition to the POW/MIA and on behalf of Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star Families of S.C.

A special tribute to veterans was given by Brian Steffen, commander of the Orangeburg Veterans Council.

As part of the patriotic flavor of the event, the Mellichamp and Rivelon Elementary music classes led in the singing of "My Country 'Tis of Thee' and "I Hear America Singing."

Acting Orangeburg County Council Chairman Harry Wimberly noted that Veterans Day is a day to remember those who have died for freedoms often taken for granted.

"The Bible tells us that we should love the Lord with our whole heart and soul and our neighbor as ourselves," Wimberly said. "I can know of no better neighbor than a man or woman who leaves his or her own country for foreign fields to fight for our freedom. We say it, we read it but we must believe that God indeed does bless America."

Gene Johnson, retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant and a member of the Disabled American Veterans, said Veterans Day is all about commemorating his friends who lost their lives in war. Johnson said he was able to go to the Washington Vietnam Memorial for the first time a couple of years ago when he found out some of his friends had died.

"I think most people take freedoms for granted. They have always had it," Johnson said. "If you go to other countries and see how they live, I think most people will appreciate what they have here."

Franklin Gibbs, who was proudly wearing a cap proclaiming retired U.S. Navy, said since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, it is crucial the country gets behind its troops and better appreciate their sacrifices. Gibbs served from 1974-1976 in the Middle East.

"We need to honor these people because in Vietnam we did not have American flags or yellow ribbons for the troops," he said. "People need to know that freedom is not free."

Gibbs expressed his uncertainty about the troop presence in Iraq but he noted that despite the controversy, it is important to support the troops.

"I have my American flag in my front yard and my yellow ribbons, too," Gibbs said, adding that many forget how good they have it. "I don't see anybody leaving this country and going across the borders. People risk dehydration to get to this country."

Making special appearances were the Edisto High School Air Force JROTC, Lake Marion High School JROTC, North High School Air Force JROTC and Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School Air Force JROTC.

Veterans groups, including Orangeburg Veterans Council, Orangeburg County Veterans Affairs Office, American Legion Post 4 Ladies Auxiliary, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 33, Purple Heart Veterans Chapter 932, Veterans of Foreign Wars posts 2779, 8166 and 10980 and their Ladies Auxiliaries were also in attendance.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

You must be logged in to comment.