We Are Expanding for 2020!
Every Child Deserves a Wonderful School Environment.
APPLY online NOW for next school year! Grades K-12!
Applications CLOSE Jan. 31 • www.BridgesPrep.org
DECEMBER 26, 2019 - JANUARY 1, 2020
WWW.YOURISLANDNEWS.COM
COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Community mourns loss of student killed in car accident By Mindy Lucas Judith Emily Wilson was not only loved and admired by many of her friends and classmates at Beaufort Academy, she was loved and admired by the adults in her life as well. “She had great things planned for her life and wonderful things she wanted to accomplish,” Dan Durbin, head of the private school, said.
Between assemblies and activities designed to help students mourn the loss of their classmate this past week, Durbin recounted how “Emmy,” as she was known to many, was among the first students he taught when he first arrived at the school just a few years ago. “I saw her everyday, so I got to know Emmy as a person,”
he said, recounting how impressed he was with her determination. “She would just Judith Emily put her mind to something and Wilson get it done.” The 16-year-old Lady’s Island resident died in a car accident on Tuesday, Dec. 17, af-
ter her 2005 Honda Civic ran off the right side of the road and struck a tree, according Lance Cpl. Tyler Tidwell with the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The car was the only vehicle involved in the crash, Tidwell said. After an autopsy was performed later in the week, the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office determined the cause
Joe Pilon, right, salutes during the playing of Taps by Spec. 4 Travis Daughtry of Hunter Army Airfield, during the funeral for Vietnam veteran Glenn R. Goff III of Hardeville on Tuesday at Beaufort National Cemetery.
of death was the crash, said Coroner Ed Allen. Her funeral was held on Saturday, Dec. 21 at Sea Island Presbyterian Church. Students were facing midterm exams when news of the fatal accident spread on Wednesday. The school decided to “change its mission from academics to support for its students and families,” Durbin
said. The school canceled exams and brought in grief counselors who were on hand throughout the week. It also closed early for several days before the Christmas break, so students could be with their families. Wilson’s death has hit many
SEE MOURN PAGE A4
He was still our brother
Lowcountry residents turn out for Vietnam veteran who died without family By Mindy Lucas While Glenn Raymond Goff III had no known family when he died, you wouldn’t have known it by the turn out at his funeral last week. Some 200 to 250 people attended the Vietnam veteran’s burial on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at Beaufort National Cemetery, after word spread that the 70-year-old, who died in an area nursing facility, had no family members to speak of. From veterans and members of the military, to residents who just wanted to pay their respects, they poured in by the dozens to stand beneath the stately oaks and give the Hardeeville native a funeral befitting a soldier come home to rest. “We’re paying back,” said Chris Swan, head of the Beaufort Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, a national organization that supports veterans and their families. The group was notified after the Beaufort County Coroner’s office determined that Goff had served as a U.S. Army specialist in Vietnam.
Dressed in blue, members were on hand Tuesday and left blue crafted “Forget-Me-Not” flowers at the grave site. It’s a tradition that dates back to World War I when wildflowers were placed on the graves of fallen soldiers, Swan said. “It’s a remembrance of that. We’re here for them even when they have families,” he said. Beaufort County Coroner Ed Allen and several of his staff were also on hand for the funeral. They made phone calls and tried to locate Goff’s family but after coming up short they decided to get the word out to the community. While it isn’t unusual for people to die without family, it does seem to be happening more and more, Allen said. “And if we find out someone is a veteran, we work with the (Beaufort) National Cemetery and the VA to see about having them interred here,” he said. Having people stand in for
Paying their last respects to fellow soldier and Vietnam veteran Glenn R. Goff III of Hardeville are Spec. 4 Miguel Carattini, left, and Sgt. Joshua Teague on Tuesday at Beaufort National Cemetery. Photos by Bob Sofaly. Goff’s family was important to Megan Hyatt who also attended Goff’s funeral.
“My heart led me here,” said the Beaufort resident. After spreading the news about Goff’s death, Hyatt
was able to get a group of about 15 to 20 friends together, including several Marine Corps pilots. She was impressed by the turnout from the community. “I thought it was amazing. Very heartfelt,” she said. Air Force veteran Justin Poole was also on hand for the funeral. A member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, Lowcountry Chapter 34-4, Poole rode from Charleston on Tuesday morning to join others from the group who turned out to pay their respects. Like Hyatt, he too was glad to see so many turned out to honor Goff. “Definitely got to give him a proper send off,” he said. “It’s important to make sure that a guy who served his country, who doesn’t have family, at least has people gathering to honor his memory, to honor his service. We may not know him, but he was still our brother.”
11th annual Pelican Plunge set for New Year’s Day
An estimated 1,000 people showed up for the 2019 Pelican Plunge. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
It’s time, once again, for the plunge. The Friends of Hunting Island will host the 11th annual Pelican Plunge on Wednesday, Jan. 1 at Lighthouse Beach at Hunting Island State Park. The nonprofit group will look to better last year’s number of 479 ticket-buying participants. Including spectators, nearly 1,000 people flocked to the beach on Hunting Island for the event.
TAKING TO THE STREETS
Registration is at noon at the Lighthouse Shelter – you can also register on the Friends of Hunting Island Facebook page – and the plunge goes off at 1 p.m. Adult tickets are $10, and kids are $5. Proceeds benefit Hunting Island State Park-s beach and trail maintenance and the conservation and support of its wildlife. Last year, the temperature in Northern Beaufort County reached an unseasonable 79
degrees. Water temperature in the surf at the popular state park was a tepid 58 degrees, drawing the biggest crowd in recent memory. Plungers won’t be quite as lucky this year – as of Monday, Dec. 23, the forecast for New Year’s Day calls for sunny skies and a high of 60 degrees. Plungers and spectators can enjoy hot beverages, snacks, and a costume parade. Each registrant receives an “I Took the Plunge” sticker and
AWAY IN A MANGER
Beaufort groups rally for, against impeachment.
Nearly 100 people crammed into Penn Center’s Frissell Hall to view the 48th annual performance of The Live Nativity Scene Dec. 15.
PAGE A3
PAGE B2
two coupons worth $1 each to purchase refreshments. Souvenir Pelican Plunge T-shirts will be on sale at the gift shop, as well. Park entry fee is not included in the registration fee. Jan. 1 is the last day to use the 2019 Friends of Hunting Island decal for park entry. Memberships for 2020 can be purchased on site. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https:// tinyurl.com/rugwn5h.
INSIDE Lowcountry Life A2 News A2-4 Health A4 Voices A5 Sports B1
Around Town B2-3 Directory B4 Games B5 Classifieds B5 Legal Notices B6-11
WANT TO PLUNGE?
What: 11th annual Pelican Plunge When: Noon, Wednesday, Jan. 1 Where: Lighthouse Beach, Hunting Island State Park. Cost: Adults $10, kids $5. Park entry is not included. How to register: Visit https://tinyurl.com/ rugwn5h, the Friends of Hunting Island Facebook page or register at noon on the day of the event at the Lighthouse Shelter.