November 13, 2016

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No. 2 Tigers lose shootout; Gamecocks fall

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TODAY! 2016

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2016

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Celebrating their service

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Veterans and community members offer their salutes to the flag as the Crestwood High School Color Guard presents the colors to start Sumter’s Veterans Day Celebration on Friday on the lawn of the old Sumter Courthouse.

Vendors meet and greet veterans after ceremony

Homage paid to nation’s veterans

BY BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com

BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com

About 45 vendors were on hand Friday after the Veterans Day ceremonies in downtown Sumter to meet-andgreet the more than 1,000 veterans in attendance. Vendor tables were set up on the back lawn of the old Sumter County Courthouse at a barbecue area. Many vendors who offer special services to veterans came out to promote their products and also extend their gratitude. Others just came out to say thanks to the men and women who have served our country. One organization, the Eastern Carolina Homeless Organization, is a continuum of care that coordinates housing and services for homeless families and individuals, including veterans, in a 12-county region of the

A light smoky haze hung over the High Hills of the Santee as Sumterites gathered near the front steps of the Old Sumter County Courthouse to remember the nation’s veterans Friday. Bolstered by contingents from local high school ROTC units and airmen from Shaw Air Force Base, a reverent crowd listened as dignitaries paid homage to those who have served the nation in uniform. South Carolina Air Force Association Swamp Fox Chapter President Bush Hanson of the Air Force Association said the ceremony had its beginning as a celebration of the 1918 Armistice that ended World War I. In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill making the day

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Members of the Sumter Combat Veterans group serve BBQ chicken to their counterparts during the Sumter County Veterans Day celebration on Friday behind the Old Sumter County Courthouse. state, which includes Sumter. According to Eric Owens, ECHO’s veteran service navigator, the agency provides Rapid Re-Housing

to veterans who may be homeless to quickly re-house them and help them become

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Veterans Day, “to recognize veterans of all wars.” As if to clarify what the ceremony is about, a moment of silence for an Army Central Command soldier stationed at Shaw who died in Kuwait this week brought home that Americans in uniform are still giving the ultimate sacrifice far from their homes and families. Hanson urged attendees to think about the men and women who gave their all and the families waiting for loved ones who will never return. Mayor Joe McElveen pointed out the sacrifice that all members of the military are willing to give. He said they are prepared to go anywhere and face any foe in the defense of their country. “They are prepared to give their life in the service of their country,” he said.

SEE HOMAGE, PAGE A8

Cut Rate Drugs features display of uniforms in honor of service members BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Although Veterans Day has passed, Sumterites can still enjoy a look into the country’s military history by visiting Cut Rate Drugs where military uniforms and other memorabilia are on display. “I think it turned out wonderful, and it’s attracted a lot of attention,” said Todd Touchberry, general manager of Cut Rate Drugs. He said the display is another way to honor veterans during the Veterans Day parade. Touchberry said he wanted

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to have the display to honor the men and women who were willing to give their lives for others. He said the least he could do is honor those who have or do serve. “One of my biggest regrets is not serving,” he said. Touchberry also wanted to honor his grandfather who served in the Marine Corps during World War II. He said he hopes the display will also get the word out about Sumter’s best kept secret, the Sumter Military Museum at 129 S. Harvin St. The display features uniforms from the U.S. Army,

U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. There are also helmets from the different conflicts, said Sammy Way, Sumter Military Museum curator. He said all of the uniforms, helmets and photos were donated by local people whose family members served in the military. Sumter has such a strong history of supporting the military and there are thousands of veterans who have retired in this community, Way said.

DEATHS, A11 and A13 Debra R. Smith Jequillar L. Spann George A. Keller Johnnw W. Lightsey Anne B. Thomas Patricia Ann Davis Edward Tedder

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter Cut Rate Drugs features a display of military uniforms in its SEE DISPLAY, PAGE A8 Main Street window on Friday afternoon.

Verna C. Moore Jerome Soloman Fred Mack Sue Annie O. Brunson Dorcas D. Ridgill Mark Robinson Rosa L. Ray

WEATHER, A14

INSIDE

CHILLY AND RAINY

4 SECTIONS, 34 PAGES VOL. 122, NO. 24

Much cooler today with a good chance of rain at times; tonight, chilly with rain tapering off. HIGH 56, LOW 44

Classifieds C7 Comics D1 Education A7 Opinion A12

Panorama A5 Reflections D2 Stocks C5 Yesteryear D3


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