They never forget

Veterans, public attend Memorial Day ceremony

May 29, 2007

By LARRY SINGER
Index-Journal staff writer

About 100 people, many in aging military uniforms, gathered in Uptown Greenwood on Monday to take part in an emotional half-hour, Memorial Day ceremony sponsored by American Legion Post 20.
Although those who gathered had a wide variety of military memories, all were united by a single thread, woven of patriotism and respect for those who fell in battle, that assured their attendance at this, and past Memorial Day ceremonies.
“The least a citizen can do is to recognize the members of the military who gave the most for our freedom,” said Carroll Brooks, 85, as he explained why he and his brother, Thomas, 82, were at the ceremony. “I’ve been back in Greenwood 25 years and I’ve tried to attend all the Memorial Day ceremonies during that time. I spent 29 years in the Pacific during World War II. I was in the Army Air Corps.”
As Brooks watched the crowd begin to gather next to the parking lot of Memorial Square, he expressed his opinion about those who were not in attendance.
“I wish more people would turn out to recognize the significance of Memorial Day,” he said. Like his brother Carroll, Thomas Brooks is a veteran of World War II, and wound up on an island made legendary by bravery and sacrifice.
“I was in the Marine Corps on Iwo Jima,” Brooks said. “I get here every Memorial Day, and there ought to be more people here.”
Gene Hancock, a member of the Commissioners of Public Works in Greenwood, said he attended the ceremony to honor those who could not be there.
“I’m honoring those that I served with and who died for this country,” Hancock said. “I was in Korea and got recalled for Operation Desert Storm for six months when I was 59 and a half years old. I’m 75 now. I’ve been attending these ceremonies for a number of years.”
Former Greenwood Mayor John Nave was a pilot during several conflicts.
“I’m here because I’m a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, so I guess that qualifies me to come to this memorial service,” he said. “I’ve been coming to these ceremonies ever since I got out of the service and came to Greenwood 50 years ago.”
Mona Johnson, of Ware Shoals, and her friend Bonnie Rehrer are Blue Star Mothers with children in the military.
For Johnson, the current conflict entered her life when her daughter was sent to Iraq.
“I’m here to honor, and show respect for, our fallen heroes and to remember them and show our patriotism. I’m here to show my support for our veterans.”
Rehrer, from Hodges, has a son who just returned after 18 months in Iraq.
“I was very glad to get my son back,” she said. “I just wanted the Lord to keep him safe.”
Promptly, at 11 a.m., the ceremony got under way.
After opening remarks by Commander Gene McDaniel, a prayer by Quartermaster Willie Wideman and a near operatic rendition of the National Anthem by Louise Robinson, Dr. Mims Mobley delivered the keynote address.
In his speech, during which Mobley traced the roots of Memorial Day from the Civil War and the Spanish-American War to the attack upon our nation on Sept. 11, 2001, Mobley explained the circumstances surrounding his inability to join the American Legion.
“Although I served two years in uniform, I do not qualify for membership in the Legion because I am not a veteran,” Mobley said. “During my time in service, after Korea but before Vietnam, peace, ever so fragile that it was, had broken out and there was no fighting for me to be a veteran of.”
During the Mexican War, Mobley explained, Greenwood was a mere suburban hamlet to the town of Ninety Six.
“Robert E. Lee is credited with having said duty is the sublimest word in the English language,” Mobley said at the close of his address. “Rarely does one hear the remainder of the quotation where Lee went on to say, do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should not wish to do less. Most surely, the brave men and women we honor here today have done their duty to the fullest measure, and we — indeed the free world — will forever be in their debt.”

Local residents reflect

It’s more than just a day off

May 29, 2007

By JESSICA SMOAKE
Index-Journal intern

Memorial Day is a holiday that means many things to many people. Some celebrate it by relaxing, traveling somewhere, attending a remembrance ceremony or spending time with family.
Rose Rodgers, of Calhoun Falls has celebrated Memorial Day since she was a child. “Memorial Day is a time to remember those that have served or are serving our country,” Rodgers said. “When I was younger, we called it ‘decoration day’ because we would go to the cemetery and make sure that everyone had flowers on their grave.”
Many residents found themselves thinking of United States troops on Memorial Day. When asked what Memorial Day meant to her, Casey Weeks of Ninety Six simply stated “freedom.” “It is a holiday to celebrate freedom and to remember the soldiers who have fought to give us the freedom that we have today,” Weeks said.
Others might not celebrate the holiday, but do still think of the U.S. troops.
“I don’t celebrate Memorial Day because I’m a Jehovah’s witness,” said Abbeville resident Julie Kidd. “But I do still respect the country and the troops that are fighting for our freedom.” For some people, Memorial Day is a day for relaxation.
“The holiday is a stay-at-home day for me,” said Mary Peoples of Ware Shoals. “My grandkids enjoy it by going places, but I like to relax at home.”
Stephen Burton, of Irmo, also enjoys relaxing on Memorial Day.
“Memorial Day is a day off of work,” Burton said.

Obituaries

Lyla Mae Adams

SALUDA — Mrs. Lyla Mae Adams, 83, the widow of John Quincy Adams, died on May 25, 2007, in the University Hospital.
She was born in Aiken County, daughter of the late John Wesley and Arie Bell Cushman Adams. She was a member of Peaceful Baptist Church and a retired school teacher. She was a member of the Women Home Aide Society, the Mine Creek Burial Aide Society and was an Eastern Star.
She is survived by daughter, Juanita P. Adams, Saluda, SC; two sons, Darnell Q. Adams, Johnston, SC and Larry Vanoy Adams, Gainesville, FL; brother, Governor Adams, Hopkins, SC; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Peaceful Baptist Church, conducted by Reverend Johnny C. Gantt. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m.
The family is at the home, 2144 John Quincy Drive, Saluda, SC.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home is in charge.

Jermaine ‘Kemp’ Carroll

Jermaine “Kemp” Carroll, 32, of 18 Lillie Loop, died May 26, 2007. He was born in Edgefield County and was the son of Rosa Lee Carroll and the late Robert Lee Carroll. He was a construction worker and was of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by his mother of the home; three daughters, Jadasia A. Carroll of Abbeville, Kennedi D. Collins of McCormick and Ja’Kenjah S. Carroll of Saluda; two brothers Zackary “Leon” Sales of McCormick and Anthony “Wayne” Sales of Greenville; three sisters, Charlene Carroll of McCormick, Cassandra (Rickey) Quarles of Troy and Kimberly (Brian) Parker of Greenwood; a grandfather, W.D. Butler of Edgefield.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 11 a.m. at Liberty Spring Baptist Church, with the Rev. Johnny Peterson officiating. Assisting will be the Revs. Henry Merriweather, Rickey Quarles and Robert Dansby, Jr. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m.
Pallbearers will be Eddie Dean and cousins.
Flower bearers will be cousins.
The family is at the home.
Parks Funeral Home is assisting the Carroll family.

Bill Davis

WEST COLUMBIA — Service for John W. “Bill” Davis, 64, will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Chapin United Methodist Church, Chapin, with burial in Whitmire Cemetery, Whitmire. Mr. Davis died Sunday, May 27, 2007. Born in Whitmire, he was a son of the late John Elton Davis and Fannie Horne Simmons and “Bo” Simmons. He was a longtime barber and member of AA. He entertained his many friends with his sense of humor.
Surviving are daughters and son-in-law, Brandie Davis Love and Nathan Love of Florence and Ashley Davis of Columbia; brother and sister-in-law, Tommy and Tina Simmons of Ninety Six; sister and brother-in-law, Lynne and Edward Frick of Whitmire; and nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Chapin United Methodist Church, Building Fund, Old Lexington Highway, Chapin, S.C. 29036. Visitation will be Tuesday 6-8 p.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, Irmo.

Theodore Susswell

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Theodore Susswell, 76, died Saturday, May 26, 2007 at Harlem Hospital in New York.
The family is at 204 Freetown Road, Cokesbury, S.C.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood, S.C., is in charge.

Opinion

Bible history, literature ‘lessons’ could be, if ...

May 29, 2007

Is it possible to teach the Bible in public schools without focusing on it in a religious context? That will, no doubt, be a matter of debate as the South Carolina Legislature considers a bill to allow schools to offer courses on history and literature of both the Old and New Testament eras.
The Senate has approved the bill and sent it to the House for action.
The bill’s author, Senator Larry Grooms, R-Berkeley, included requirements he believes gives the measure credence and thus helps promote its passage. The bill says that “each course offered must be taught in an objective manner with no attempt to influence the students as to either the truth or falsity of the materials presented.”

THE BIBLE WOULD, TO BE sure, provide a great source of history and literature about people during a period that is not traditionally covered in the usual history or literature books, whether they are textbooks or otherwise. Surely there are those who could stick to legally mandated objectivity requirements in teaching about biblical history and literature and, therefore, not teach religion as such.
Then again, human nature likely would dictate that oversight of such classes would be the wise and logical thing to do. If such supervision could be maintained, using the Bible as an outline for history and literature lessons could be beneficial. We ought to already know from experience that oversight would have to be strict.

NEITHER STRICT SUPERVISION nor objectivity are impossible, though. Furthermore, both should allay possible separation of church and state concerns.
There have been complaints in the past about students being taught what to think instead of how to think. And, there doesn’t appear to have been much of an effort to change that. It’s not out of the question, then, that this same approach could be used in any Bible courses, whether based on history, literature or anything else.
It would seem, then, that assurances are needed to make sure the Bible is used as the proposed law provides and that teachers don’t stray from its objectivity mandate.
On a positive note, learning about history and literature from the Bible could have “rub off” benefits ..... unless overzealous crusading keeps it out of the classroom altogether.