BLYTHEWOOD – Under a giant white tent and blue skies, the 14th annual Blythewood Veterans Day Celebration was presented on Saturday by the Blythewood Historical Society & Museum and the Town of Blythewood at the Langford-Nord House.
Master of Ceremonies Malcolm Gordge, president of the Historical Society, welcomed guests, and JROTC students, representing the Blythewood and Westwood High Schools color guards, posted the flags. Retired Navy veteran Eddie Baughman gave the invocation.
Lt. Col. Keith Bailey (Ret.), former Blythewood mayor, led those attending in the Pledge of Allegiance and recognized members of the five branches of the military. Salome Gajadhar led the singing of the National Anthem.
The solemn ceremony featured two speakers this year: veteran Alvin King who, last year, was named S.C. Veteran of the Year, and Tommy Olds, Commander of the S.C. Combat Veterans group
Quilts of Valor were presented to six Blythewood area veterans: Roscoe Gudger (Army), George Wilson Jr. (Army), Mike Long (Army), Andrew Royson (Marine), William DuPont (Army), and Ted Hassell (Navy). Quilters Donna Royson, Robin Lupia, Cindy Bundrick, and Jeannie Hurlbert wrapped the flags around the veterans as each was presented.
Royson thanked the veterans for their service, their sacrifice and their valor and told them how much the quilters loved creating the quilts for them. We purchase and provide the finest fabrics to make these quilts,” Royson said. “Our mission is to cover service members and veterans who have been touched by war with comforting and healing quilts of valor. We are so grateful to you,” Royson said to the veterans.
A highlight of the annual Veterans Day program is always the recitation by Christy Lomas of the words from Johnny Cash’s recording of The Ragged Old Flag.
Patriotic songs were provided by local recording artists Vance and Jeannie Sharpe and the Bethel-Hanberry Choir directed by B-HE’s Music Director Saundra Portee.
The program closed with the audience joining the Sharpes and the B-HE choir singing ‘God Bless America.’
Following the ceremony, audience members joined Baughman and Jeff Henry, commander of the Lake Wateree VFW Post 8345, at the fire pit where those gathered were invited to throw a star into the fire with a few words about a service veteran who was special to them.
While the program lasted only an hour, from 1 to 2 in the afternoon, the crowd of more than a hundred began gathering about 11 a.m. to view exhibits on display from the SC State Military Museum, Bob Redfern’s vintage military vehicles, Blue Star Mothers’ table, Purple Heart Town, American Heritage Foundation military vehicles, the Patriot Guard Riders, AMVETS and VFW posts, American Legion Post 90, the Fighting Fourth Living History Groups, and miniature military scenes by Mike Child.
“We want to follow our Blythewood tradition of honoring and remembering those who have served our country in war and peace,” said Margaret Kelly, Blythewood Historical Society Administrative Manager.
