Greenville County military veterans owe a great deal of thanks to Dee Benedict and the Greenville Scottish Games for their “Tribute to Our Military Heroes” on Memorial Day Weekend 2011. Also entitled to thanks are Chip Howard and the staff at Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park who have held Memorial Day Programs honoring all military veterans and presented American flags to the families of deceased veterans for a decade or more.
Dee Benedict, President of the Greenville Scottish Games, explained how the leadership of the Games transitioned from hosting a British Prince to hosting members of the Armed Forces.
“Now that we’ve hosted a prince, and I for one was tickled to spot him at the Royal Wedding, who could we possibly bring to our 2011 Games to match that exalted level?
“The men and women of our military, and our Scottish cousins and close allies who are serving in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, that’s who. It is Memorial Day Weekend, and we are dedicating our games to them in a Joint Military Salute.”
The Times Examiner expresses the view of many veterans when we say thanks to these fine organizations for their publicly demonstrated support of our troops who have voluntarily put their lives on the line for their country and for those who have gone before them.
The patriotic actions of these organizations warrant special recognition, because, in the not too distant past, in Greenville, only veterans planned and conducted events recognizing veterans.
A little more than a decade ago, there were virtually no parades or ceremonies in Greenville County honoring those citizens who served their country in uniform or who gave their lives in service to their country. A small group of veterans who served in Vietnam, Korea and World War II eras formed an organization to do what was not being done – organize and conduct events to honor veterans. They found Army and Navy reservists at Donaldson Center and the ROTC organ-ization at Furman University were eager to participate.
The first large event was held at the Bi-Lo Center with then Congressman Jim DeMint inviting all Korean War veterans from the Upstate and presenting each that attended with a commemorative medal. It was the largest event honoring veterans ever held in Greenville. DeMint and his staff was also very instrumental in working with the small group of veterans, Furman ROTC, Reserve Units and a few public school bands and Junior ROTC units to organize the first parade in recent years honoring veterans in Greenville.
Dr. Bill Harner as Superintendent of Greenville County Schools, and a veteran, pledged full participation of the School District in programs honoring veterans. When Bob Inglis became Fourth District Congressman, he and Dr. Harner took control of the Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day Parades from the small group of veterans that started it.
The veterans raised funds and purchased large flags to line Greenville’s Main Street on patriotic holidays. City government never supported the flag display, although they did not openly oppose it. During the first two years, most of the flags were stolen and none were recovered by the city. Veterans found some flags stashed behind Main Street businesses, indicating some merchants agreed with city leaders and opposed the flag display on holidays. Replacement of the stolen flags became too expensive to continue the display and it was discontinued.
The Memorial Day Program at Woodlawn, Sunday, experienced record attendance. Greenville County Sheriff Steve Loftis led the Pledge of Allegiance. The City of Greenville Pipes and Drums provided music and the guest speaker was Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Gilleran, United States Army- Professor of Military Science at Furman University.
