A day ‘for our freedom’

Speaker tells crowd Memorial Day
is not just for veterans

May 30, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER and BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writers

For many Americans, the Memorial Day weekend means it’s time to pack up the car and head out for a three-day break to the coast, mountains or just somewhere out of town.
But for some, especially those who have served or are serving in the U.S. military, the day is not about vacation; rather, it’s about honoring the memory of those who have given their lives to serve their country.
Veterans, their families and others gathered Monday throughout the Lakelands to remember the fallen soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, and many of those who attended the ceremonies in Greenwood and Abbeville said they are concerned that Americans are forgetting the real purpose the holiday represents.
“More and more people are forgetting why we have this day because we aren’t teaching it in our schools or at home,” said American Legion Post 20 Commander Gene McDaniel. “Unfortunately, young people have no clue what happened in World War II, Vietnam, Korea or even why we celebrate Memorial Day.”
At a ceremony in Uptown Greenwood, organized by the Lakelands Coalition of Veterans Organizations, McDaniel emphasized the importance of spreading the word about the day he said some take for granted.
“It seems like only veterans remember veterans,” he told the crowd, adding that the hundreds of flags placed at the gravesites of veterans are usually only placed there by veterans themselves. “It’s a very sobering thing when you pass the cemetery and see all those flags waving in the breeze, because you know the sacrifices they have made. We need to encourage our young people and those that didn’t serve that this day is not just for veterans — it is for our freedom.”
Retired Lt. Col. Lou Amick, a former member of the Marine Corps who flew more than 100 photo reconnaissance missions in Vietnam, spoke at the Greenwood ceremony, telling the audience that Memorial Day is an “unforgettable day.”
“It is a day we pay our respects and honor the 1.2 million men and women who have died in service to their country since 1775,” he told the audience. “Their courage, their self-sacrifice, their commitment to country and their valor is what makes the United States of America the greatest country on the face of the earth today.”
Amick said children today know very little about the history of the United States.
“We veterans need to tell the stories of the time we spent in war. We need our heroic veterans to tell the stories to our sons and daughters, our grandchildren and all of those who will listen so that they understand and appreciate the huge sacrifices that our veterans have made on their behalf,” Amick said. “We need to remind everyone that freedom does not come without responsibility. We need to do these things so that those we honor today have not died in vain.”
Greenwood ceremony attendant Polly Brown, who said her husband and daughter have served in the military, agreed that the day seemed forgotten.
“It should not be, though,” Brown said. “It should always be remembered — by the young and the old. They (the soldiers and veterans) sacrifice their lives for us.”
For veteran Dean Goldman, commander of the American Legion Post in Ninety Six, which also conducted a ceremony on Monday, the day is not one he will ever forget. Goldman said he can still remember his mother’s cries when a messenger brought the news of his brother’s death in World War II. His next door neighbor, who served on the same ship, was also killed, he said. “This day is most sacred to me for lots of reasons,” Goldman said. “I love veterans. It’s sad that not everyone else does.”
Navy veteran Jimmy Butler, who served in Vietnam, said that when the moment of silence was conducted at the Greenwood ceremony, he would be thinking about a Marine he met aboard his ship. Though he can’t remember his name, Butler said the Marine made an impression upon him that has lasted through the years.
“We brought him back deceased,” Butler said. “That still sticks in my mind.”
Mike Ellis remembers — perhaps more than most — to honor the men and women of the armed forces on Memorial Day.
The retired Army major left Iraq about a month ago.
He lost a few friends in the conflict.
Ellis said he thinks people still honor Memorial Day, but that veterans have a greater respect for the day because of its significance.
Sammy Lewis shares the same respect Ellis has for the day.
The post commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 0687 has gone to the Memorial Day service at the Abbeville courthouse for 12 consecutive years.
One of Lewis’ goals is to increase participation by the public in Memorial Day celebrations.
He wants to bring more people to the Memorial Day ceremony by reminding them that the freedoms they enjoy were given to them by veterans.
New veterans like Ellis are doing their part to promote the remembrance of Memorial Day, Lewis said.
“Our most recent veterans in Iraq and Afghanistan are becoming more active,” he said.
Ellis’ father, Bill Ellis, was naturally worried about his son while he was in Iraq. Bill Ellis remembered Memorial Day with stark clarity during the year Ellis was away.
“When your child’s life is in danger, everybody jumps up and takes notice,” Bill Ellis said.
Mayor Harold McNeil spoke at the courthouse ceremony, praising the sacrifice veterans have made in the line of duty.

A little bit Moore

Lander names last year’s assistant
as head coach of the baseball team

May 30, 2006

By JIM JOYCE
Special projects editor

Memorial Day 2006 will be a day Chris Moore will remember for a long time after being named the new head baseball coach at Lander University.
“It’s the first opportunity I’ve had to be a head coach,” Moore said Monday, shortly after athletic director Jeff May announced the decision to go with last year’s assistant coach as the new lead man.
“We are confident he will bring stability to our program, and improve upon what is already a good baseball team,” May said in filling the absence created when coach Bill Jarman stepped down after only one year.
May said Moore received support from team members and the athletic staff, as well as from knowledgeable baseball people.
A native of Wilmington, N.C., Moore is no stranger to the game, or coaching.
He played and graduated from Western Carolina University, and served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at NCAA Division I Davidson College.
While a member of the Western Carolina team, Moore was a Mizuno Freshman All-American and two-time third-team Collegiate Baseball Magazine All-American, Southern Conference Player of the Year in 1999, and finished his college career as the Catamounts’ leader in hits, doubles, RBIs and assists — setting a conference record for hits.
Drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 1999, he played for the Asheville Tourists in the South Atlantic League for four years and made the all-star team in 2000.
A member of the American Baseball Coaches Association, Moore said, “I am very excited about being head coach. I am thankful coach May gave me the opportunity.”
His philosophy, he said, will be very much like it has been, with a possibility of a few minor changes.
“In general, the philosophy is in the same ball park,” he said. “I am for of an aggressive coach. I believe that if you can score every inning, you’re going to win a high percentage of your games.
“That’s one thing I have learned from other coaches — play the game inning by inning. If you do that, most of the time you will be on top.”
One thing in Moore’s favor is that he has 11 juniors returning who will be seniors next year.
“Our seniors will be a tremendous asset,” Moore said. “A lot of them did a great job last year. And our top pitcher will be a senior.”
“We have also added several junior college players with a lot of experience,” he said. “They had good years with clubs they were with — one of them went to the College World Series, and several of them won their conferences.”
When the Bearcats begin their fall practice, Moore will be looking to first baseman Jesse Barbaro and Gabe McCann (from Laurens) for offensive leadership. He also returns the top three weekend pitchers, in the persons of Chris Munn, Derrick Wilson and Jake Hover.
Daniel Hinchberger, who was red-shirted last year, will be back, Moore said. “He’s got some good stuff.”
Defense is another matter altogether, a part of the game where numerous errors were made on the left side of the infield.
“I think we will improve on that, with some of the players we have recruited,” he said.
New recruits include catcher Nate Mangiopane of Florence-Darlington Tech, shortstop-outfielder Brendan O’Connor of Herkimer County Community College in New York, pitcher Nathan Roubicek of Green River Community College in Washington, infielder Brooks Arnette of Lakeview High School, outfielder Thomas Guinan of CCBC-Catonsville, Md., pitcher Nick Testin of Oakton Community College in Michigan, and outfield-catcher Danny Morgan, a transfer from Coastal Carolina University.

Opinion

Language in campaigns tells who plays it dirty

May 30, 2006

Pay close attention to what’s going around in the political campaigns, not only in Greenwood, but all over South Carolina. The political venom is flowing. It’s getting to be gutter politics at its worst. Voters may be shocked at what they see happening. Some will be surprised ..... by what’s being said, but also by who is saying it.
Don’t include the political signs all along the roadsides. They are generally generic signs flashing the names of the candidates for the various offices to be filled ..... or refilled. Most of them carry the all American colors of red, white, and blue.

THE EXPERTS, NO DOUBT, SAY the patriotic colors attract voters. If so, the mean-spirited and downright vicious “messages” put out by some candidates and supporters ought to negate whatever edge any “aesthetic” effect might bring.
It won’t be difficult to determine who is playing it down and dirty. Simply consider the words ..... better yet, the kind of words that are used by candidates’ supporters mostly. The candidates, it seems, have learned to play it pretty cool and straight and let someone else loose the slings and arrows against their opponents.
Whose words and messages take a nasty approach? As noted, it won’t be hard to tell. The words speak for themselves, as do those persons using them.

AFTER DETERMINING WHO IS dealing in character assassination and who is sticking to issues, deciding who will be better public servants should be easy. Simply answer one question for yourself. Will the candidates who stick to the real issues - and political philosophies - take a gentler and kinder approach to government? Or will the politicians who condone and support bitter and name-calling politics be best for Greenwood and South Carolina?
There is always one good thing, though, something that we do by virtue of being free to vote. We decide who represents us ..... the good guys or the bad guys. It’s really not all that hard to tell the difference.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Barbara P. Brooks

Barbara P. Brooks, 79, of National Healthcare died Sunday, May 28, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she was a daughter of the late Alfred and Dorothy Peachy. She was a retired nurse, a member of Beulah Baptist Church and former member of the Willing Workers Club, Missionary Society and senior choir.
Survivors include a brother, John Peachy of Fayetteville, N.C.; two sisters, Georgia Peachy of Brooklyn and Dorothy McMillan of Newark, N.J.
The family is at the home of a niece, Ernestine Brooks, 501 Trakus Ave.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net

Ruth Gilmore, 102

Ruth Reeding Gilmore, 102, of 1415 Parkway, widow of Alpha Frey Gilmore, died Monday, May 29, 2006 at Magnolia Manor.
The family is at the home of her granddaughter, Carolyn Fish, 226 Swing About.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Mac McKinney

CROSS HILL — Henry League “Mac” McKinney Jr., 58, of 560 Cane Creek Camp Road, husband of Rita Goodman McKinney, died Monday, May 29, 2006 at his home.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Robert C. Pope, M.D.

WILSON, NC — Dr. Robert C. Pope, 83, a retired pediatrician, died Sunday, May 28, 2006.
He graduated from Wake Forest University, and Bowman Gray School of Medicine in Winston Salem where he did his pediatric training.
Dr. Pope was a member of and served in various capacities of the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis, Wilson County Medical Society, North Carolina Medical Society, Southern Medical Association, American Medical Association, North Carolina Pediatric Society, and the President of the Bowman Gray School of Medicine Alumni.
He was an avid tennis player and devoted supporter of Wake Forest University sports.
Surviving is his wife, Ruth McColl Pope; daughter, Susan Justesen (Wayne) of Green-wood, SC, Janice Howerton (Richard) of Atlanta, GA, Norma Goelst (Mac) of Winston-Salem, NC; son, Damon Pope (Amy) of Raleigh and grandchildren, Tad Justesen (Beth), Gordon Justesen, and Julian Justesen of Greenwood, SC.
Memorial service, 2:00 PM, Wednesday, First Presbyterian Church.
The family will receive guests Tuesday, 6:00-8:00 at Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Field-stream Drive, N. Memorials are suggested to the Salvation Army, PO Box 96, Wilson NC 27894 or to First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 3184, Wilson NC 27895.
Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, (252) 237-7171, www.wilsonmemorialservice.com
PAID OBITUARY

Sallye Mae Rayford

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sallye Mae Rayford, of 525 Ingraham St. N.E., wife of Odell Rayford, died Thursday, May 25, 2006.
She was a daughter of the late Sam H. and Annie Mae Booker.
Survivors include her husband; a goddaughter reared in the home, Latonia Lewis of Washington, D.C.; a sister, Joann Warren of Greenwood; a brother, Tommie Lee Hamilton of Greenwood.
The family is at the home of her sister, Joann Warren, 543 Goode St.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net

Louise Speed

The Rev. Louise Speed, 76, of 1411 Mays St., died Monday May 29, 2006 at her home.
Services will be announced by Richie Funeral Home, Abbeville.

Mary Bernice Woolridge

Mary Bernice Woolridge, 72, of 230 E. Cambridge Ave. Apt. 220, died Sunday, May 28, 2006 at her home.
Born in Bradley, she was a daughter of the late Edward Woolridge and Mahulda Woolridge Mims.
Survivors include two daughters, Jacquelyn Robertson and Marilyn Robinson, both of Greenwood; a niece reared in the home, Cynthia D. Robinson of Greenwood; a nephew reared in the home, Byron W. Smith of Greenwood; three sisters, Mrs. Blanton (Anita) Smith and Mrs. John (Alice) Butler, both of Greenwood and Yerstine Dickens of Washington, D.C.; seven grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home of a daughter, Jacquelyn Robertson, 501 Haltiwanger Road, Apt. H2.
Services will be announced by Parks Funeral Home.