FOREVER VALENTINES
INSIDE
Romance still strong for couple after 42 years
Gen. Brooks up for promotion
C1
Man gets 10-plus charges in bust
A2
Crestwood wins, Manning falls in 3A girls playoffs B1 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013 | SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
VOL. 118, NO. 97 WWW.THEITEM.COM
FOUNDED OCTOBER 15, 1894
60 CENTS
Base closings reconsidered for 2014-15 defense budget BY NICK McCORMAC nmccormac@theitem.com Another round of military base closings will likely be included in the defense budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year, according to a new report. The announcement backs up claims made by a state military group that the next round of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission would probably convene in 2015. According to Stars and Stripes, outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary
Leon Panetta told reporters last week he would recommend another round of BRAC be included in the Department of Defense’s 2014 fiscal budget. Panetta said the force reduction reflects the $487 billion in cuts that must be made by the Pentagon during the HOLLAND next decade. During BRAC, military installations are either shuttered or consolidated to help cut costs. The last
round in 2005 resulted in the closing of Fort McPherson, Ga., the former home of the Third Army. The unit was relocated to Shaw Air Force Base. “What you ask for and what you get may be two different things,� said retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. William “Dutch� Holland, former 9th Air Force commander and executive coordinator of the S.C. Military Base Task Force. “It’s no surprise they would ask for it, but my bet is SEE BRAC, PAGE A10
‘These things we do, so that others may live’ Locals fill out pararescuer documentary pre-viewing BY ROB COTTINGHAM rcottingham@theitem.com Ask any service member, and they’ll agree that it’s impossible to comprehend the chaotically fluctuating and vast range of emotions experienced in combat, unless you’ve been there. On Saturday, Sumterites loaded the Sumter Opera House and got a glance at that experience as they previewed an episode from one of National Geographic’s newest series, “Inside Combat Rescue.� The documentary centers on the men assigned to air rescue units and their selfless displays of heroism. The episode previewed featured a team stationed in the heavily embattled Kandahar Province of Afghanistan, the birthplace of a widely despised terrorist group: The Taliban. As guests finished seating themselves, Maj. Gen. Lawrence Wells addressed the audience, prefacing the viewing with brief descriptions of the personnel depicted in the documentary, as well as their equipment, vehicles and the functions of the units, which use their trademark HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter in their rescues.
ROB COTTINGHAM / THE ITEM
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Reading in Latin, Pope Benedict XVI announces his resignation at the Vatican on Monday.
Pope Benedict resigns VATICAN CITY (AP) — With a few words in Latin, Pope Benedict XVI did Monday what no pope has done in more than half a millennium, announcing his resignation and sending the already troubled Catholic Church scrambling to replace the leader of its 1 billion followers by Easter. Not even his closest associates had advance word of the news, a bombshell that he dropped during a routine morning meeting of Vatican cardinals. And with no clear favorites to succeed him, another surprise likely awaits when the cardinals elect Benedict’s successor next month. “Without doubt this is a historic moment,� said Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, a protege and former theology student of Benedict’s who is considered a papal contender. “Right now, 1.2 billion Catholics the world over are holding their breath.� The move allows for a fast-track conclave to elect a new pope, since the
Maj. Gen. Lawrence Wells, commanding officer of the 9th Air Force Air Combat Command at Shaw Air Force Base, leads 15 young men and women in the Oath of Enlistment on Saturday night at the Sumter Opera House after the pre-viewing of an episode of “Inside Combat Rescue,� a National Geographic documentary about the dangerous missions of pararescue units in Afghanistan.
SEE RESCUERS, PAGE A5
Wells speaks about the different Air Force units in South Carolina on Saturday, prior to the pre-viewing. Wells said F-16s from Shaw and McEntire provde aerial assistance in the rescue missions.
Youth make oath, take on ‘risky’ Air Force jobs BY ROB COTTINGHAM rcottingham@theitem.com At the end of the previewing of “Inside Combat Rescue� at the Sumter Opera House on Saturday, 15 young men and women were sworn into the U.S. Air Force. Led by Maj. Gen. Lawrence Wells, the group re-
cited the Oath of Enlistment, a pledge all enlisted service members must make as part of their induction into the armed forces. Wells said he was happy to see such great quality in a group so young, especially in light of their chosen specialties. “They’ve chosen very
20 N. Magnolia St. Sumter, SC 29150 (USPS 525-900)
www.theitem.com
risky jobs to undertake,� he said, with a sense of pride about him. But the newly initiated airmen didn’t seem daunted at all. Jonathan Holden, a 20-year-old from Columbia, was eager and confident in his choice.
Fred W. Ortmann III John C. Warren Jr. Vivian Hood Bolser Ivie Edith N. Hipp Mary Ann R. Pleasant Janice J. Holland
2012-13 Dedicated to the memory of Freddie Solomon
Caseworker offers more than funds BY ROBERT J. BAKER bbaker@theitem.com Salvation Army caseworker Pam Lassiter sees many emotions from the families who seek her help with their heating costs. There are tears. There are smiles. But most of the time, there’s embarrassment when someone asks for help from the Fireside Fund. “(A family came in) because of domestic violence (that) had to be relocated and needed help with K1 to keep her and her daughters’ small apartment warm,� Lassiter said. “She told me she was embarrassed to be here and wished
SEE OATH, PAGE A7
SEE FIRESIDE, PAGE A7
OUTSIDE UNRELENTING RAIN
DEATHS Information: 774-1200 Advertising: 774-1236 Classifieds: 774-1234 Delivery: 774-1258 News, Sports: 774-1226
SEE POPE, PAGE A10
Annette W. Stokes Dorothy C. Reynolds Mary Lee Johnson William A. Holliday Jr. Betty Jean Floyd
INSIDE 3 SECTIONS, 24 PAGES
Classifieds Comics Daily Planner Opinion Sports Television
Cloudy with a little rain in the afternoon; periodic showers and a thunderstorm tonight. B6
HIGH: 60 LOW: 46 A10
B7 C6 A10 A9 B1 A8
Fine Jewelers Since 1935
(OFFMEYER 2D &LORENCE 3# p
444 North Guignard Dr. 3UMTER 3# p
2 0 -=P +K Š Ī -=J@KN= 'ASAHNU )) Š HH NECDPO NAOANRA@ Š - +!,/ +"1