Don Allen, Jim Dunkenberger, Steve Root
BY ANDREA HOERNER Contributor
For gallantry, fidelity, service – the Purple Heart
The medal’s simple inscription “FOR MILITARY MERIT” barely expresses its significance. The Purple Heart is a heart-shaped medal awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been wounded, killed or died while serving. It’s the oldest military award in the United States, established in 1782 by General George Washington as the “Badge of Military Merit.” The medal was reintroduced in 1932 on the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birth.
As Veterans’ Day approaches, here are the stories of four Sun City residents who served in the United States Marine Corps and were awarded Purple Hearts.
Sun City resident Don Allen grew up in Los Angeles, where his father, who had served with Patton’s tanks in WWII, played football for the Rams. After one year at UC Berkeley, at the age of 18, Don joined the Marines in September 1966, specifically to serve a two-year hitch in Vietnam.
He was part of a Marine special operations forces, similar to the Marine Raiders of WWII. They conducted reconnaissance, raids and operations entirely on their own. Don was wounded on May 10, 1967. He was a machine gunner when their unit was ambushed. It was 7½ hours before he could be evacuated to a hospital ship, where he spent two and a half months recovering.
Don spoke movingly of going from a loving family into the horrors of war in a third world country. In 1968, he finished school and married his wife, Brady. After a successful career as a health care administrator in Texas and raising two children, Don and Brady moved to Sun City in 2020.
Jim Durkin was born in the Bronx and enlisted in the Marines in 1966. Serving with the first battalion, 5th Marine Division, he was assigned to Chu Lai, where he lived and worked with the Vietnamese, even sharing meals at their homes when invited.
On December, 27, 1967, he was shot in the
chest at close range and spent 5 ½ hours in surgery. He recovered on the hospital ship Repose when his weight went from 170 to 90. He was discharged in 1969.
Jim retired from Bell Telephone (NY Telephone) at the age of 46. As a volunteer, he has served in various leadership roles for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, including as its youngest National Commander in 1979-80.
As a blended family, Jim and Jacquie have five children. They moved to Sun City in 2005 and enjoy bocce and bowling.
Steve Root is originally from Bolivar in southwestern New York state. In 1968, after training as a machine gunner, he was assigned to Lima Company 333, in the DMZ near Quang Tre. His unit was on patrol, moving every day, sleeping on the ground, in monsoon season sleeping in the rain. On August 23, 1969, Steve was injured by mortar shrapnel, was sent behind the lines for treatment, then rejoined his unit. Steve returned to civilian life in April 1970 and worked for 30 years for Delta Airlines, first in Florida and then Atlanta.
He and his wife Donna, who have three children in a blended family, have enjoyed living in Sun City for about 10 years, where he is a member of the Sun City Veterans Association.
Jim Dunkenberger grew up in Queens, N.Y. He was 17 ½ when he enlisted in the Marine Corps and later requested deployment to Vietnam. In November 1966 after a 21-day voyage, he was assigned to Third battalion, first Marine Division, west of Da Nang where he served as a machine gunner.
Jim was first wounded in the leg by grenade shrapnel, and after four weeks on hospital ship Repose, he was sent back to his unit. In September 1967 during Operation Swift, he was severely wounded again in the shoulder and stomach. While waiting for evacuation, he was shot again. After recovering on the Repose, he spent time in hospitals in Japan and the U.S., weighing 118 pounds when he arrived in U.S. in October 1967. He returned to civilian life in October 1968.
Jim enjoyed a successful career with Delta Airlines, going from baggage handler
Walt April 1967
to Boston Station Manager. He and his wife, Kathy, have five children in their blended family and retired to Sun City in 2006.
In Arnie Rosen’s article several years ago, Don expressed what these four men felt. “For me there is absolutely nothing negative I can say about the time I spent in the Marine Corps. I loved every minute of it, and it is something I will cherish for the rest of my life. I fly my Marine Corps flag with pride. I share a brotherhood of admiration, camaraderie and respect with other Marine veterans that goes beyond mere words. It has been truly a great experience. Even with my wounds, pain and physical suffering, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.”
Purple Heart Day is observed on August 7. According to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, more than 1.8 million Purple Heart medals have been presented to service members. Army Lt. Annie G. Fox, a nurse at Hickam Field, became the first woman to receive a Purple Heart. Other famous recipients include James Arness, Charles Bronson, James Garner, Rod Serling, Kurt Vonnegut, Oliver Stone, Warren Spahn, Pat Tillman and Rocky Bleier. President John F. Kennedy is the only U.S. president to have been awarded a Purple Heart.
Andrea Hoerner
Purple Heart medal
Jim Dunkenberger receiving Purple Heart from Gen. Lewis
Jim Durkin
BY CHRIS ROOSA Contributor
Aging isn’t fun any longer
Is it just me or do other retirees find the process of aging no longer fun? I once found it amusing as different occurrences happened which would bring a smile to my face. But it is now downright annoying as deterioration sets into this old body.
When I first realized that it was hard to hoist myself up off the floor, I would joke about this struggle with my husband. Now, while grunting and pulling myself up onto an ottoman or chair, it’s no longer a laughable matter. I’m determined not to be defeated, so it’s become a major challenge.
I’ve also come to realize hearing aids are apparently designed to be worn for a mere three hours a day, from 9 a.m. to 11:59 a.m while sitting on the sun porch reading the newspaper. But once back inside the living space with the little woman, it’s time to take the hearing aids out, insert the TV buds into your ears and
then say “WHAT” the rest of the day. Now, when the wife repeats the paragraph for the third time, that’s the moment that the ear buds are remembered and finally removed so that she can loudly shout the paragraph a fourth time. To which hubby replies, “Why are you SCREAMING at me?” This form of “communication” continues until 10:30 p.m., at which time hubby finally retires to the bedroom and the house becomes peaceful once again.
My handsome man no longer drives. I have now acquired a “little helper in the car.” It tells me when to apply the brakes, when the light turns yellow and then again when it turns green. It strongly encourages me to drive the center lane at the speed limit and to monopolize that lane, no matter what. If I make a miscalculated decision of driving at a slower pace in the right lane, I am then scolded if I am kind enough to allow someone to cut in front of me. That’s why I’m supposed to hog the center lane, so I can speed up if anyone has the intention of squeezing in
front of my car. Upon arrival to our destination, I am told not to park too far right so he can get out on his walker. Once I remove my keys and get the walker out, I am then informed that I have, in fact, slightly gone over the parking line, so I should move the car and park it properly, but not too far right! Upon returning home, after our fun day trip, I am always
instructed to pull the car forward enough to tap the speed bump. Always! I just don’t know how I drove these past 66 years without my little helper squawking in my ear.
Now, for all you women out there, I bet you are wishing you could live my life! Chris Roosa is a resident of Sun City Hilton Head.
When is the best time to buy or sell?
BY GARY SMYTHE Contributor
With the presidential election now behind us and the holiday season underway, it’s an ideal time to evaluate Bluffton’s real estate market. Many potential buyers and sellers wonder if the end of the year is the right time to make a move, and the answer lies in understanding real estate cycles.
The market typically operates in predictable cycles that impact pricing, inventory and buyer activity. During the spring and summer, we usually see peak activity. Families often aim to move while school is out, creating more demand, and often, slightly higher prices. Homes typically sell faster and for closer
to asking price in these warmer months. Conversely, fall and winter tend to be quieter. The holiday season draws focus away from real estate for many, creating an opportunity for those still in the market. Inventory may be lower, but so is buyer competition, which means sellers with properties listed now are often serious and motivated. As a buyer, this can translate to less bidding competition and more room for negotiations on price or closing costs. For sellers, it’s still possible to attract buyers, especially since people relocating for new jobs or starting fresh in the new year might need to act quickly.
The recent presidential election also factors into market dynamics. Historically, election years introduce a sense of uncertainty, which can slow activity as buyers and sellers await policy outcomes. Additionally, mortgage rates often fluctuate in response to election outcomes and economic policies, which can impact buying power.
For those considering a sale, staging your home for winter coziness can be a unique advantage. Highlighting features like fireplaces, energy-efficient windows, and indoor lighting can appeal to buyers during colder months.
While spring and summer might see more market activity, the quieter holiday season can offer distinct advantages for both buyers and sellers. For buyers, lower competition and potentially motivated sellers can make negotiations favorable. For sellers, serious buyers looking to close before the year ends could lead to a successful sale. Timing your move with market cycles can be beneficial, so consider whether this unique time of year aligns with your real estate goals.
Gary Smythe is a local real agent with William Raveis Real Estate focusing on the Hilton Head and Bluffton areas.
Gary Smythe
BY JOE TURINO Contributor
Sun City’s Jon Riggs strikes Gold at Senior Games
Sun City’s very own Jon Riggs has become a champion, returning triumphant from the 2024 Huntsman World Senior Games held this October in St. George, Utah, with a stunning collection of four gold and two bronze medals. This annual event, recognized as the world’s largest multi-sport event for athletes age 50 and up, has drawn participants from 87 nations since 1987, celebrating athleticism and camaraderie across more than 30 different sports.
Riggs, 67, who proudly represented the Sun City Swim Club, excelled in his age group of 65 to 69. His gold medals came from stellar performances in the 50, 100 and 200-meter backstroke, as well as the 100-meter freestyle. The butterfly and medley events saw him clinching bronze, displaying his versatility and enduring skills in the pool. He narrowly missed a medal in the 50-meter freestyle, placing fourth by only three-tenths of a second behind the gold medal winner.
A Sun City resident for three years, Riggs grew up in Lima, Ohio, where he swam through high school, and then to Ohio State, where he was on the swimming team for one year. After graduating, he moved to the Toledo, Ohio, area. He shared how he met his wife, Tamera: “We met online while she was living in the small town she grew up in, Ireland, West Virginia. We married three months after we met in 2003, and she moved to Toledo. We now split our time between Sun City and a home in Jane Lew, West Virginia.” They have been married for 21 years.
Riggs, after a brief hiatus, returned to swimming at age 31, motivated by the lower impact on his joints and a reignited passion for the sport. “Running and that other stuff was kind of hard on my joints, and I decided I might as well get back to swimming because that’s what I’m pretty good at,” he says, now a swimmer for over 46 years.
Riggs is aware of the broader participation from his community, noting, “I’m sure that there are other residents of Sun City that have entered the Huntsman Se-
nior Games (for swimming or other sports over the years), but I’m not sure if there were any this year.” His commitment to swimming is evident in his training schedule. He trains four times a week at Sun City’s Hidden Cypress pool and the Hilton Head Recreation Center pool alongside the Hilton Head Master’s group. Although he trains with Hilton Head, Riggs now competes at all US Masters Swimming (USMS) Senior Games under the Sun City Swim Club banner, underscoring his dedication to representing his community.
Riggs is not new to the competitive swimming scene; he has participated in 18 events since 2002. Those 18 events were for the major national and state championship events, although, he said, “I have participated in dozens more of smaller
events, easily over 100 events since 1989.” Going back to only 2002, he has a collection of 90 medals.
Entering USMS events for 35 years, he noted that the YMCA also hosts its own national and local swimming competitions, contributing to a vibrant competitive landscape for senior athletes. He won a gold medal at the YMCA Nationals in July. Riggs emphasizes that the Huntsman event plays a critical role in promoting health and fitness among older adults through organized sports competitions and physical activity. Riggs pointed out an inspiring memory he brought back this year was meeting the one swimmer aged 100 years or older. Elisabeth Brussel, at 100 years old from New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, competed in six events, the only entrant in her age catego-
ry of 100 to 104.
Looking ahead, Riggs is enthusiastic about the upcoming 2025 USMS Senior Games in Des Moines, Iowa. He enjoys the competitive spirit of all events, noting, “It’s something that keeps me in physical shape that I enjoy doing,” and appreciates how competing enhances his engagement with the sport: “Competing makes it more engaging or you get more interested in it.”
Jon Riggs’s accomplishments are not just a personal victory but a testament to Sun City’s vibrant sports programs and the active lifestyle it promotes among its residents. His ongoing success may inspire other fellow community sports enthusiasts. It also highlights the opportunities that Sun City provides for leading a healthy, active and competitive life in one’s senior years.
PHOTO BY JOE TURINO
First: Jon Riggs with all the medals he returned with from the Huntsman World Senior Games.
PHOTO BY TAMERA RIGGS
Jon Riggs in his Sun City Home alongside swimming medals he has received since 2002.
The Sun City Hilton Head
November 2024 | SECTION B | Volume 13 I Issue 11
The Sun City Hilton Head real estate market has seen notable shifts over the past year, reflecting changing buyer and seller dynamics. Here's a quick snapshot of key metrics comparing October 2023 to October 2024:
• New Listings decreased slightly from 56 to 53, marking a 5% drop. This suggests a slight hesitation among potential sellers, possibly due to market uncertainty or holding out for better prices.
• Closed Sales saw a more significant decline, dropping by 13% from 63 to 51. This dip in sales volume points to a cooling demand or potential buyer caution.
• The M Median Sales Price Year-to-Date experienced a modest 1.5% decrease, from $522,308 in 2023 to $514,465 in 2024. This slight dip could signal a gradual stabilization in home values after years of price growth.
• The P Percent of List Price Received dropped from 98.53% to 97.5%, reflecting a 1% decrease. Homes are still selling close to list price, but this small shift indicates slightly more room for negotiation.
• Inventory of Homes for Sale rose substantially, from 90 homes in October 2023 to 152 in October 2024 a 68% increase. This surge in available properties provides more options for buyers, suggesting a transition to a more balanced market or even a buyer -friendly environment.
These statistics reveal a shift toward a market with more available inventory and potentially softening prices, offering oppo Hilton Head. For sellers, it's an opportune time to capitalize on their properties while prices remain near historic highs.
H How Can I Assist You? If you're considering selling your property in the near future, I invite you to reach out for a comprehensive Market Analysis and an indepth market review. By understanding the current market dynamics, we can develop a strategy to ensure your home stands out a nd achieves the best possible value in this evolving landscape.
Active Homes and Villas
Gary goes above and beyond for his clients. He approaches each stage of the buying and selling (we have worked with him on both) with care and consideration. He is thoughtful, diligent, and it is evident that he’ll go to great lengths to ensure your needs are met. A. Turner
“
Gary is a true professional. Extremely knowledgeable about the whole process. He was able to sell my home quickly. He made himself available after the sale while waiting for the closing. Answering any questions along the way. As a seller I highly recommend listing with Gary. C Bennett
Share the Joy
BY RHONDA HARRIS Contributor
Welcome the holidays and come “Share the Joy” with the Sun City Chorus and Orchestra on December 5, 6 and 7 at 7 p.m., and December 8 at 2:30 p.m. All performances are at Sun City’s Magnolia Hall, and the public is invited. Tickets are $28. Purchase by contacting suncitytix@gmail.com, calling 843-9419729 or at the box office on Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 9-11 a.m.
The mixed-voice chorus and accomplished orchestra open the two-hour program with a new, energetic arrangement of “Joy to The World” by award winning composer, arranger and artist, Dan Forest. Its intricate, soaring movement sets the stage for a joyful celebration of the season.
Two other Dan Forest arrangements are performed in the first half of the program. “Silent Night” offers the beloved and familiar carol, and its story with gentle piano and strings encourage quiet contemplation. In contrast, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” triumphantly proclaims “Glory to the newborn King!”
Other selections are the lively spiritual “Behold That Star,” the popular “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” and a new favorite, “When You Believe,” from the musical “The Prince of Egypt.” Closing the first half of the show is “In the Full-
ness of Time,” a contemporary piece by Kirk Kirkland that inspires with its story of hope and fulfillment.
Musical Director Art Hansen and Assistant Director Lorraine Hansen are noted for their skill at combining contemporary renditions of traditional favorites along with popular holiday tunes. True to expectations, the second half of the show launches with the fun and zippy “Jing-A-Ling, Jing-A-Ling.”
Some of the other popular selections from film and Broadway are “It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas,” “Pinecones and Holly Berries,” “We Need a Little Christmas,” and Irving Berlin’s always heart-tugging “White Christmas.”
Encouraging the audience to have a little flirtatious fun, “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” by Sammy Can and Julian Stynes, and arranged by Mark Hayes, embraces the spirit of the holidays.
The orchestra will be highlighted alone in two numbers, “A Star of Wonder Medley” and “Christmas Rocks at the Pops.” Art Hansen’s informal chats with the audience between numbers is always an added bonus.
Katie Corbett, chorus member, says she loves “to sing about the joy and the jingles,” and singer Larry Hyatt adds, “I’m enjoying the wide variety of styles. There’s something for both the listeners and the performers to enjoy.”
St. Luke’s Methodist Church Festival
St. Luke’s Methodist Church in Okatie is 200 years old and culminated in the birthday celebration of its history on September 28 with a festival of music, food and crafts. Sun City Musical groups including the Sun City Jazz Band, Carolina Girls, Ukulele Band, Mountain Strings and Strummers performed in the pavilion as part of the celebration. The pavilion was built by members of the church. Docents familiar with the interesting history offered tours of the pretty little church and told some of the stories of the people buried in the attached graveyard. The fellowship hall offered interesting historical artifacts and information. The church, located at 3080 Okatie Highway, has a little over 100 very active members and has had 52 different ministers since its inception in 1824.
TOM MILLS
BY JOE TURINO Contributor
Sun City’s WTO Tennis in the Pink Rally for Charity
The Sun City Women’s Tennis Organization (WTO) hit a new milestone at their annual “Tennis in the Pink” event this September, raising an impressive $8,500 to benefit the Pledge in the Pink Foundation. This surpasses last year’s total by $2,000, signaling a growing commitment to the fight against breast cancer. Angela M. Bossu Wolfe, chair of the WTO, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all participants. “Your generosity has been overwhelming, allowing us to contribute significantly to the Pledge in the Pink Foundation,” Wolfe stated.
Wolfe extended special thanks to corporate sponsors, donors and volunteers, including Sun City Tennis Pro Gavin Cox, whose coaching and coordination were instrumental in the event’s success. Additionally, the Memorial Scholarship winners played crucial roles in the tennis exhibition and overall
Among the attendees, Cindy Vander Berg was celebrated for her outstanding contribution to the WTO and the Sun City community as a volunteer, teaching professional and breast cancer survivor.
The luncheon also provided a platform to honor this year’s 10 Memorial Scholarship recipients who were recognized for their achievements with certificates. Additionally, Joyce McGaughan received the coveted “Pink Sneaker Award” for her exceptional dedication to the organization through various volunteer efforts. In her closing remarks, Wolfe gave a special nod to Mo Shabana, the event’s largest individual donor, whose generous support played a pivotal role in this year’s fundraising success.
event dynamics. “This event could not have succeeded without the dedication and hard work of everyone involved,” she added.
This year’s “Tennis in the Pink” saw over
120 registrants, with 86 enthusiastic tennis players taking to the courts. The event also featured a luncheon, which drew 148 attendees, including 25 distinguished guests.
The WTO “Tennis in the Pink” event continues to be a beacon of hope and solidarity in Sun City, demonstrating the power of community and the enduring spirit of giving.
STAN HOLZ
A scene from some of this year’s participants in Sun City’s ‘Tennis in the Pink’ fundraising event for the Pledge the Pink Foundation that provides funds for local groups dealing with breast cancer.
U ro l ogy C are
LOUIS REMYNSE M.D.
A board-certified and broadly experienced urologist, Dr. Remynse brings nearly four decades of clinical and surgical experience to the practice, where he diagnoses and treats a wide range of chronic and acute urological disorders, among them benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), kidney stones and urinary incontinence.
A member of the Society of Urologic Oncology, Dr. Remynse specializes in robot-assisted surgical treatments for bladder, kidney and prostate cancers. In total, he has performed more than 1,250 da Vinci robotic surgeries.
A Michigan native, he received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Michigan Medical School and has practiced at urology groups and medical centers in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maine and Illinois.
BEAUFORT MEMORIAL EXPANDS UROLOGY PRACTICE TO OKATIE
Dr. Louis Remynse and physican assistants Matt Baker and Kristen Callaghan are now seeing patients at the Okatie Medical Pavilion.
MATTHEW “MATT” BAKER PHARMD, PA - C
Experienced both as a physician assistant and as a pharmacist, Baker works with the practice’s clinical team to assess and manage treatment for acute and chronic urological disorders that most frequently can be addressed with medication rather than surgery.
A Yemassee native, he holds a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from South University. He joined Urology Specialists after seven years at a urology practice in Bluffton, where he gained expertise in cystoscope procedures and active monitoring of patients with an elevated PSA level and those receiving prostate cancer treatment.
Baker also holds a Doctor of Pharmacy from the Medical University of South Carolina and was employed as a pharmacist for nine years before determining that his heart lay in direct patient care.
KRISTIN S. CALLAGHAN PA - C
A board-certified and experienced physician assistant, Callaghan joined the urology practice in 2022 following seven years as an emergency medicine physician assistant at Beaufort Memorial. At the practice, Callaghan evaluates a variety of urological complaints, interprets diagnostic studies and helps patients understand their results to determine further courses of evaluation and treatment. Her clinical interests include the treatment of kidney stones, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection (UTI), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer.
A Lowcountry native, she received her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from South University, and previously worked in emergency medicine in Charleston, and for a urology practice in Savannah.
Pets of the week
Smiley may be missing a leg, but he still gives the best hugs. He’s a gentle boy who loves to snuggle. And you should see him zip down the hallway at Palmetto Animal League on three strong legs!
Smiley can’t wait to find a place to call his own. Smiley is 2 years old, neutered, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped. For more info, call PAL at 843-645-1725 or email Info@PalmettoAnimalLeague. org.
Shadow is a 3-year-old girl who loves the water and being around people. She enjoys playing with her ball, going on walks, and the occasional 5–10-minute run. Shadow is very respectful of the cats in her foster home. Her foster mom says she’s a super smart, beautiful girl! Shadow is spayed, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped. For more info, call PAL at 843-6451725 or email Info@PalmettoAnimalLeague.org.
SMILEY SHADOW
The Bluffton Sun and Hilton Head Sun invite you to like and follow our socials, as we will be more active on our social media channels moving forward to keep an open dialogue with our community members. We will also be posting events, calls to action, and opportunities to get involved in the newspaper. Don’t miss the chance to get involved and/or get published! We look forward to your feedback, ideas, and ongoing communication.
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