On 8/12/2024, members of the Dillon County Veteran of the Year Organization met at the Southern Fried Restaurant for a working breakfast to plan upcoming programs of Patriot Day and Veterans Day. Commander Thom Thompson (VOY 2017) led the meeting and recognized those present: James Lockemy (VOY 1998), John Harlow (VOY 2005), Charlie Vance (VOY 2008), Lloyd Brown (VOY 2014), Levern Hayes (VOY 2015), Harry Moore (VOY 2018), Ronnie Stone (VOY 2019), Asa McDuffie (VOY 2020), Joe Manning (VOY 2021) and Chris Norris (VOY 2023). VOY Chris Norris introduced Navy Veteran Shelene Smith of Darlington who talked about her challenges with the VA in getting proper care for her son Matthew Smith. Matthew had served with the Army National Guard and deployed to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq 2004/2005. VOY Chris Norris knew Matthew through his work with the Wounded Warrior Project and had mentored him. Commander Thompson thanked Mrs. Smith for her service and for the military service of her son and presented her with a Dillon County Veterans of the Year challenge coin.
The business meeting included plans for the upcoming Patriot Day 9-11 program to remember the events of 9-11-2001, the War on Terrorism and our military, and recognizing first responders. Also discussed were preliminary plans for the 11/11/2024 Veterans Day program. This year the City of Dillon is organizing a parade of Veterans that will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Main Street near the train depot and proceed to Veterans Square. Further, VOY Charlie Vance was named the chairman of the VOY Selection Committee. Nominations for the Dillon County Veteran of the Year for 2024 will begin in October.
Pictured at top are (L-R) DCVOYO Commander Thom Thompson, Mrs. Shelene Smith, VOY James Lockemy (challenge coin designer), and VOY Chris Norris.
