Mauldin

The City of Mauldin held its annual Veterans Day Ceremony by honoring all Veterans including their own Police Department Veterans. 

Mark Putman, H.R. Director – MC’d the ceremony and the Mauldin High JROTC presented the colors. Dr. Walter McPhail led the Pledge of Allegiance and Clyde Rector gave the opening prayer. Keynote speaker was Mayor Terry Merritt and Reverend Waddy Tally gave the closing prayer. 

Jason and Shanon Tindall presented the Police Department Veterans with the Quilts of Valor. Those presented with Quilts were George Miller, Tyler Rohaley, Logan Walker, Gianina Diaz, Robert Thacker, Emanuel Hodrea, Michael Driggers, and Patrick Dodaro.

Veteran Tim Fletcher provided the sound and music. Performers were Stephen Gorsham, singing the Armed Forces song, and the Hillcrest High School choir with Ms. Holly Hill.

Fountain Inn

The city of Fountain Inn held their Veterans Day ceremony in the activity center.

The first Guest Speaker was USAF Veteran Candice Matelski-Brady enlisted in 2006, serving in support of the global War on Terror. Because Matelski-Brady was struggling with transitioning into civilian life she was partnered in 2018 with Justice, a Golden retriever service Dog. The non-Profit organization, Battle Buddies, trained Justice in specialized commands to assist with mobility and PTSD.

Guest Speaker Commander Clyde Mabry of American Legion Post #123 introduced the Quilt of Valor recipient, Sgt. Alan Nichols. Sgt. Nichols served in the United States Army as a Scout Sniper, attached to the 2nd Infantry Division, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team out of Fort Lewis, WA. His tours include Operation Iraqi Freedom an Operation Enduring Freedom 2003-2004.

Simpsonville

A forecast of rain forced the city of Simpsonville to move the Veterans Day program to the Summit Church on West Curtis St. 

The Simpsonville Fire Department provided a color guard during the national anthem and the invocation was done by Pastor Nathan Forrest of Summit church.

Mayor Paul Shewmaker, welcome guests and introduced the keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. J. Michael Smith, OSL. Dr. Smith is the senior pastor at the Simpsonville United Methodist Church and the former chaplain in the United States Army/South Carolina Army national guard.

After the traditional Armed Forces salute, a Quilts of Valor presentation was offered by Tamika Rowe, US Army.■