2014 july 4th tab layout

8/12/2019 2014 July 4th Tab Layout

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The Greer Citizen

DEFINING

AMERICA

FREEDOM HONOR CAMARADERIE SERVICE


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2 THE GREER CITIZEN PAGE LABEL WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 201

The City of Greers annual Freedom Blast

will feature music from the Zac Brown

tribute band 20 RIDE, a large fireworks

display, photo opportunities with an eagle mascot

and a salute to the men and women of the U.S.

military.

The event, scheduled for June 28 at Greer City

Park, will begin at 6 p.m. and will culminate withthe fireworks display at 10 p.m.

During its first five years, Freedom Blast has es-

tablished itself as the premier event of its kind in

the Upstate, bringing together all of the elements

of a community festival to celebrate our nations

freedom with the goal of honoring the men and

women who have made that freedom possible,

Greer City Administrator Ed Driggers said.

New to Freedom Blast is the eagle mascot, who

will pose for photos in the Events Center lobby at

Greer City Hall from 6-8:45 p.m.

Driggers said the community was responsible

for naming the eagle by voting for one of 10

names at cityofgreer.org, which ran through June

20.

To celebrate the eagles arrival and the festivals

ties to those who have served in the U.S. military,

the City of Greer is embarking on a fundraising ef-

fort for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV)Greer Chapter 39. One hundred stuffed toy eagles

numbered and tagged exclusively for Freedom

Blast will be offered at the Greer City Hall business

offi ce for a donation of $10 or more to the DAV.

The eagles are available Monday through Friday

from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Zac Browns hits and pop rock and country cov-

ers are the specialty of 20 RIDE, a Charlotte-based

band comprised of self-described good ol boys.

Promising Zac Brown songs as Chicken Fried

and a wide assortment of covers, 20 RIDE takes the

main stage at Freedom Blast at 7:30 p.m.

Vendors will be available on site at Greer City

Park.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTSActivities for all ages get underway at 6 p.m., in-

cluding the Kids Zone with free crafts and activi-

ties. One of the most popular activities at Freedom

Blast, the inflatables area, returns with unlimited

fun on all air-filled attractions for $5 per person.

The Greer Idol Teen competition returns to Free-

dom Blast for the third consecutive year, opening

the entertainment at 6 p.m. on the main stage.

The 2014 Greer Idol contestants take the stage at

6:30 p.m. as the popular competition opens its

eighth year.

The annual pie-eating contest gives way this

year to a possibly messier rib-eating contest at

7:15 p.m. on the amphitheater stage, leading up

to the 20 RIDE concert.

The citys yearly salute to veterans and current

members of the U.S. military follows the concert at

9:45 p.m., and the internationally-renowned Zam-

belli Fireworks Company launches a 15-minute

show at 10 p.m. Viewing will be available through-

out Greer Station and patriotic music will accom-

pany the show in Greer City Park.

Visitors of all ages will enjoy close inspection of

a variety of military vehicles courtesy of the S.C.

Army National Guard. The 2014 lineup includes an

M1 Abrams tank, described by the U.S. Marine

Corps as among the heaviest tanks in the world,

but it more than makes up for its heft with tre-

mendous firepower and surprising maneuverabili-

ty.

The Disabled American Veterans, partners of

Freedom Blast since the first festival in 2009, the

Marine Corps League and the Military History Club

of the Carolinas will also staff displays and infor-

mation booths.

Guests will have an opportunity to give blood

from 6-9 p.m. as the Blood Connection seeks to

keep pace with local hospitals summertime de-

mand.

* Definitions throughout from merriam-webster.com

FREEDOM- (noun) a political right*

BLAST- (noun) an enjoyably exciting experience, occasion, or event

City Hall has provided the festive backdrop for the City of Greer Freedom Blast at Greer CityPark since its inaugural event in 2009.

Freedom Blast will feature an annual saluteto veterans and current members of theU.S. military at 9:45 p.m. Saturday.

DURINGITS first five years, Freedom Blast has established itself

as the premier event of its kind in the Upstate, bringing together all

of the elements of a community festival to celebrate our nations

freedom with the goal of honoring the men and women who have

made that freedom possible. Ed Driggers Greer City Administrator

PAGE LABEL


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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014 PAGE LABEL THE GREER CITIZEN 3

CBLGreer.com

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Happy 4th fromour family to yours!

The FreedomThe Freedom

to Apply Onlinefor a Mortgage

The Second Continental Congress offi cially de-

clared the bald eagle as the National Emblem of

the United States on June 20, 1782. Exactly 232

years later, online voters have declared Sarge as

the name of the City of Greers Freedom Blast ea-

gle mascot.

The voters selected a great name that definite-

ly ties in with Freedom Blasts overall mission to

honor our veterans and the men and women of

the U.S. Armed Forces, city communications man-

ager Steve Owens said. The interest in the online

poll and the eagles name reflects the continued

growing popularity of Freedom Blast.

Visitors to the citys website chose the name the

new mascot by choosing from 10 names: Free-

dom, Spirit, Lightning, Thor, Stryker, Liberty, Rocky,

Thunderbolt, Fury and Sarge. Sarge captured 31

percent of the 91 votes during the two-week cam-

paign, while Spirit finished second with 23 per-

cent.

The mascot will be available to meet guests on

June 28, 6-8:30 p.m., in the Eagles Nest, the sec-

ond floor lobby at Greer City Hall. Visitors can

bring their own cameras or camcorders to capture

memories.

In addition, the city is selling stuffed toy eagles

to benefit the Disabled American Veterans Greer

Chapter 39 for a donation of $10 or more.

The hundred stuffed toy eagles numbered and

tagged exclusively for Freedom Blast will be avail-

able at City Hall lobby Monday through Friday 8

a.m.-5 p.m. and at the Eagles Nest from 6-8:30 p.

m. Saturday.

Any remaining eagles will then be available at

the Guest Relations tent.

New This Year

EAGLEMASCOT

508 North Main St.(across from Greer State Bank)

877-4043

Greer

Q

F

UALITY

OODS

Mon.-Thurs. 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri. & Sat. 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

GodBless

OurTroops

!

THEVOTERSselected a

great name that definitely ties

in with Freedom Blasts overall

mission to honor our veterans

and the men and women of the

U.S. Armed Forces.

Steve OwensCity of Greer Communications Manager

PAGE LABEL


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On this 4th of July, we pause to remember thosewho have paid the ultimate sacrifice and those

who continue to sacrifice for our country.

Wood Mortuary, Inc.www.thewoodmortuary.com

300 West Poinsett Greer, SC 877-3351

Serving Since 1902

RIB-EATINGCONTESTSweet victory becomes sticky as the popular

pie-eating contest is replaced by a rib-eating con-test sponsored by Texas Roadhouse at 7:15 p.m.

on the amphitheater stage.

Eight adults and four children will test their eat-

ing skills against the best ribs in the Upstate. Those

wishing to participate should visit the guest rela-

tions tent beginning at 6 p.m.

Kedo Epps celebrates his win with friendsafter cleaning up his face from last yearspie-eating contest.

Ribs replace cherry pie as the centerpiecefor this years Freedom Blast contest.

LASERTAGARENAA new addition to the popular Kids Zone area

will be a portable laser tag arena.Also new is Freeze Machine, a frozen confec-

tions vendor that will be set up in the Kids Zone

area.

Guests will again be able to enjoy unlimited fun

in the inflatable attractions by purchasing a $5

wristband. Access to lines at each inflatable will be

open until 9 p.m. Those already in line will be per-

mitted to enter the inflatable for which they are

waiting.

The area will also offer crafts, games and other

activities like face painting and a painting wall for

young people to paint their own patriotic scenes.

The Kids Zone will be located around the Picnic

Shelter and Playground at Greer City Park from 6-8

p.m. Age restrictions may apply to many of the at-

tractions.

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Festival favorite inflatables will return toFreedom Blast 2014.

PAGE LABEL


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6 THE GREER CITIZEN PAGE LABEL WEDNESDAY JUNE


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Verizon Wireless is the sponsor of the 2014 Mili-

tary Tribute. This years tribute will include perfor-

mances by two talented Upstate artists: Sylvia Irby

singing America the Beautiful and Matthew Phil-

lips performing the national anthem.

Dave Gorman, commander of Greer Chapter 39

of the Disabled American Veterans will address the

audience prior to the popular Veterans Walk.

Veterans of any branch of the armed forces who

would like to participate in the walk are asked to

gather at the Amphitheater Stage no later than

9:30 p.m.

The DAV will staff its trailer near the flagpole

and will be joined this year by the DAV Mobile Ser-

vice Offi ce until 8 p.m. for veterans to learn more

about benefits.

RELATED ATTRACTIONSMilitary vehicles will be set up on East Poinsett

Street by the S.C. Army National Guard and the

Military History Club of the Carolinas from 6-9 p.m.

In addition, the Owens/Kennemore Marine

Corps League Detachment 1105 of Greenville will

display vintage uniforms and accessories from the

U.S. Marine Corps from 6-9 p.m.

Festival Highlight

MILITARYTRIBUTE

Military vehicles will be on display on East Poinsett Street during Freedom Blast.


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8 THE GREER CITIZEN PAGE LABEL WEDNESDAY JUNE 25 201


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ACTIVITIESKids Zone..................................................................................6-8 p.m.At the picnic shelter/playground area. Crafts, games and other activities like face painting and a

painting wall for kids to paint their own patriotic scenes.

Inflatables ......................................................................... 6-9:30 p.m.A $5 wristband entitles one person to unlimited fun on the inflatables during the City of Greer Free-

dom Blast.

Blood Drive ..............................................................................6-9 p.m.

Military Vehicles ....................................................................6-9 p.m.Set up on East Poinsett Street by the S.C. Army National Guard and the Military History Club of the

Carolinas. From modern vehicles to vintage World War II equipment, take a tour through the years.

USMC Uniform Display .....................................................6-9 p.m.The Owens/Kennemore Marine Corps League Detachment 1105 of Greenville will display vintage

uniforms and accessories from the U.S. Marine Corps.

FOODCOURTFood and drinks ................................................Setup -10:30 p.m.

ENTERTAINMENT

Schedule of Events

Greer Idol Teen ...........................................................................6 p.m.

Greer Idol ................................................................................6:30 p.m.

Rib Eating Contest ..............................................................7:15 p.m.

20 RIDE (Zac Brown Tribute Band)..................7:30 p.m.Zac Browns hits and pop-rock and country covers are the specialty of 20 RIDE, a Charlotte-based band

comprised of self-described good ol boys whose years of performing together has produced great har-

monies and tight musicianship. They promise such Zac Brown songs as Chicken Fried and a wide as-

sortment of covers as they rock Freedom Blast.

Salute to the Armed Forces ...........................................9:45 p.m.

Fireworks Display ................................................ 10 p.m.

20 RIDE

CONTESTANTSAmy AlfordJohn GarrisonBrian Scott GarnerKiley GodseyElizabeth Haney

Josh JordanJames LandrethLauren PainterMelissa VelezStephen Young

CONTESTANTSAshley GossIsabel GreeneZelena HullSha Jackson

Taylor LeeMaloree McCormickKedrissa MendozaSophia Noyes

Jacob RoachCamden TaylorRoni TeemsDevon White


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PAGE LABEL , ,

HONOR- (noun) an evidence or symbol of distinction

BY BILLY CANNADA

EDITOR

Former South Carolina legislator and

Greer resident Lewis Vaughn remembers

his stint in the U.S. Army vividly.

I did not ever consider it a sacrifice for me to

serve in the military, said Vaughn, who served for

six years. I was 16 years old on March 18, 1950.

The Korean War broke out June 25, 1950. On July

17, 1950, I was on my way to Fort Knox, Kentucky,

for basic training. I wanted to go to Korea.

Vaughn said he felt a duty to serve his country

and help fight for its freedom.

Dont get me wrong, Im not brave, he said. I

was scared to death. But, the good Lord was look-

ing out after me.

Approaching state legislators earlier this year,

Vaughn wanted to find a way for South Carolina to

remember the service of those who sacrificed dur-

ing times of war.

Along with other members of the Korean War

Veterans Association, the former state senator be-

gan pitching the idea of a Corridor of Honor that

would mark a specific stretch of an interstate high-

way in Greenville County.

We came up with the idea of setting aside a 12-

mile stretch of I-385 [between mile markers 22

and 34] and were going to name each two miles

within that 12 miles for the six 20th and 21st cen-

tury wars that the nation has been involved in,

Vaughn said. It will include World War I, World War

II, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and all the

Undeclared Wars.

Its taken on a life of its own and has turned out

really great, he said.

The state House and Senate passed a resolution

calling for the South Carolina Department of

Transportation to fulfill the request in May. Each

war will be marked with a sign every two miles,

visible on both the eastbound and westbound

sides of I-385.

Were also going to erect a sign before these 12

miles, notifying the driving public they are now

entering the Veterans Corridor of Honor, he said.

It is the only project of its kind in the country,

Vaughn said.

For all veterans, it is a symbol that Americans

in this case, South Caroliniansreally appreciate

them once and for all, he said. They are being rec-

ognized as making big, big sacrifices to keep

America free.

U.S. Senator Tim Scott will recognize the resolu-

tion on the Senate floor and U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy

will do the same on the House floor, Vaughn said.

Its something that South Carolina can be

proud of. We havent found where anyone else has

done such a thing. People have been honoring

veterans all over the country, but I havent seen a

corridor of honor for them. Its a pretty big thing,

he said.

An unveiling of the signs will be scheduled as

soon as they are ready to be placed. The signs,

costing around $250 each, were not paid for with

state money.

The (SCDOT) wouldnt pay for the signs. Theyre

not allowed to pay for stuff like that, Vaughn said.

Corridor of Honor to recognize war heroes

DONTGETme wrong, Im

not brave. I was scared to death.

But, the good Lord was looking

out after me.

Lewis Vaughn Veteran/Former Legislator

Former South Carolina legislator and Korean War veteran Lewis Vaughn entered the U.S. Army when he was 16 years old. A few yearslater he was sent to Korea, where he is pictured above.


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CAMARADERIE- (noun) feeling of good friendship among the people in a group

BY KATIE JONES

STAFF WRITER

Cliff Harpst, a self-proclaimed country boy,

had never gotten to travel until he wasdrafted into service, when he spent 18

months overseas.

You kidding me? Just out of high school,

Harpst said. To put it in perspective, there was no

TV so they couldnt see it on TV. The radios that we

had (in service) were better than most of the radi-

os they had back home in their houses.

He grew up in a little Pennsylvania town on Lake

Eerie, with a population of 1,600 people.

Was he scared?

Oh, hell yes, he said. I wasnt scared the firsttime I was under fire.

Harpsts sergeant learned he had radio experi-

ence, which is what he ended up doing during his

U.S. Army service.

That kept me in a job where I never once shot

my rifle at an individual, he said. I fired it laying

down when we all fired to keep them pinned

down. I depended on the radio to keep me free

and it did.

At 88 years old, Harpst can still recall being on

the front lines in World War II. He was in the chiefcompany of the 289 regiment, 75th infantry, after

being drafted.

I went on the frontlines February 27th, 1945 on

the Norse River on the edge of Holland, he said.

That time we went to the Rhine River and we

crossed the Rhine River. We were in a holding posi-

tion on May 7 on the inner part of GermanyOn

May 8th, my job in the G company I was a radio

man, communications I was with a company

commander all through combat, when we were

resting on May 7 or 8. We had finished up what wewere doing, waiting to go in there. I had the radio

on. I kept in contact with the Italian headquarters

so I would hear other transmissions any place in

the country. I heard him say that Russians just

crossed the Oder RiverI said to the company

commander and those at company headquarters,

World War II veteran Harpst reflects

Cliff Harpst, in the red hat, was one of 90 veterans from Upstate South Carolina, western North Carolina and northeastern Georgia, who were part of the 300th Honor Flight to visit theIwo Jima memorial in Washington, D.C.



13/16

This war is going to be over tomorrow.

They were skeptical, he said.

But you know the Russians wont stop until

they have whole country. On the 8th, the Germans

surrendered to us, to stop the war and keep the

Russians back.

His faith helped him through it.

I was escorted through World War II by the only

one who could help and thats my Lord Jesus, he

said.

Harpst attended a service lead by a Chaplin ear-

ly on. He didnt have his Bible with him, but in his

wallet he had a quote from the 23rd Psalms his

mother had sent him.

As I was leaning against that fence and reading

the 23rd Psalm, I knew I was going to come home

because I felt Jesus arm around my shoulder, he

said. I had no fear of dying.

This years Veterans Walk of Honor during Greer

Family Fest meant a lot to Harpst.

I held the banner along side another World War

II vet, he said. We lead the veterans down

through to the stage. That was a proud day for me,

to show the community how much I loved them

and accept their love for me for what me and my

buddies have done.

Cliff Harpst, left, and other veterans lead the Veterans Walk of Honor at the 2014 FamilyFest at City Park.

Stacey Brooks

Jackson, Co-Owner

Ed Rich,

General Manager

Readers

Choice

2014

To All Who Have Served, We Thank You!

Cliff Harpst



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SERVICE- (noun) contribution to the welfare of others

BY AMANDA IRWIN

STAFF WRITER

Preston Johnson has lived an extraordi-

nary life. He has lived all across the Unit-

ed States, has worked at the Pentagon

and now spends his time helping veterans. John-

sons opportunities began after he graduated

from Greer High School. At 20 years old he enlist-

ed in the U.S. Army, where he built a 21-year career

out of aviation-specializations.

Young, invincibleit didnt scare me at all. I was

from Greer, Johnson said. Its a rude awaken-

ing.

Johnson served two tours in Vietnam, the first of

which lasted 13 months. The second tour came

four years later and lasted 12 months. Johnson hasnot gone back to Vietnam since his last deploy-

ment, nor does he intend to.

When you go over there at 20 years old, and

youve never seen anything that youre confronted

with at the time, you go What am I doing here?

he said. You know during the Cold War we were

taught if you dont stop them here theyre going

to be in your front yard, so that was our thought

process; Weve got to stop them right here.

You dont get used to it, you get immune I

guess, he said. I flew both tours. I was fortunate. Ibrought back everything I carried over there, so

Im fortunate in that respect. I have no purple

heart, which Im proud of.

Johnson joined the military in October 1965 at a

time when veterans were not always appreciated

and sometimes received backlash from Americans

who did not support the Vietnam War.

I had one experience in the San Francisco Air-

port when I came back, one group they would

take red liquidink or beet juice or something

and throw it on people calling them baby killers,

Johnson said. I had an incident where I felt like

that was about to happen to me and I just in-

formed the people that that was not a smart thing

for them to do, and I didnt get anything from

them.Johnson added that he had a few other experi-

ences in Greer from people who did not support

the war, but he didnt return to Greer until he re-

tired from the military in 1987.

But once you stop and talk to people and tell

them what your thoughts were and your ideas

about why we were there, it became a different

picture then, he said. You cant stop everybody

on the street, so you take them as you can.

While serving, Johnson became a school-

trained air traffi c controller and a job-trained heli-

copter crew chief mechanic. He also worked on

operations and war plans and conducted surveil-

lance reconnaissance in the pentagon.

I lived on Hubert Street in Greer, I never imag-

ined that I would work at the Pentagonthat Iwould go in and brief the president of the United

States, Johnson said. I never imagined that any-

thing like that would happen to meYou deal

with people that have the world in their hands, for

mewent to Greer High School left here and went

in the Armythat was a miracle. The thing that I

liked most I guess was the people cause I met

people that I really enjoyed being around. I flew

with people that were just great. I tested airplanes

that just did things that we would have never

imagined

Since returning to Greer, Johnson has continued

his service to the military through the Disabled

American Veterans local chapter, where he former-

ly served as commander and currently serves as

membership chairman, in addition to helpingwith Honor Flight. Johnson said he will be working

at the state level where he will assist all 34 DAV

chapters in South Carolina.

Through his work with the DAV and Honor

Flight, Johnson and other DAV members help vet-

erans access services, assistance and programs, in

Experiences of DAV member and veteran

Preston Johnson, in red, membership chairman of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 39, is surrounded by members of LeadershipGreer Class 32 at the 2012 Family Fest, where they presented the DAV with a utility trailer to allow them to better serve veterans.

THETHING that I liked most I

guess was the people cause I met

people that I really enjoyed being

around.

Preston Johnson DAV Membership Chairman



15/16

addition to helping them when its needed. One

hundred percent of proceeds donated to the local

DAV are used to help local veterans or their fami-

lies.

Johnson often gets to hear other veterans war

stories, but some veterans are less forthcoming

with their experiences.

You have those who are ready and willing to

tell you war stories, and then you have those who

will clam up and just will not talk, Johnson said. I

also help with the Honor Flight, and I gave a manpaperwork this past Sunday at church and asked

him to fill out the paperwork and get himself on

the flight to go to Washington, D.C. And he teared

up and he said, You know that was 70 years ago.

To this day I just dont want those memories. So I

left the man alone.

When Johnson served, Post Traumatic Stress

Disorder (PTSD) was not recognized. But, accord-

ing to Johnson, today more Vietnam War era vet-

erans are signing up for PTSD services than ever

before.

You can take it several different ways, but when

you see people die it does something to you, he

said. Of course, its supposed to. If youre human

its supposed to affect you and thats PTSD. Theres

a lot of guys that were in the service, never heard a

bullet fired in anger, but you dont have to do that

to suffer PTSD.

When I was flying, most of the targets we could

see, very few we could not see, and if they had big

guns they were shooting at you when they first

pulled the trigger, you saw the flash, you saw the

green missile coming at you. I havent seen a

green missile in my dreams in a long time, John-son said.

Through the DAV, veterans are registered in the

system so they are able to access more services

and assistance for PTSD. The DAV will be in atten-

dance and taking donations at Freedom Blast on

Saturday, June 28, 6-10:30 p.m. in downtown

Greer. For more information about the DAV, visit

davmembersportal.org/chapters/sc/39.

You take a group of people, and regardless of

where they servedanyone whos served has a

different understanding of why you put on a uni-form, he said.

The price of freedom is not free

Disabled American Veterans

Building Better Lives for Americas Disabled Veterans and their Families

www.DAV.com

HAVE AHAPPY ANDSAFE4TH OFJULY!

John M. Rollins, Jr.

P.C.

Attorney andCounselor at Law

219 Randall St.Greer

864-877-0134johnmrollinslaw.com

LuAnnMason

Paralegal

JudyBarnes

Legal Asst.

John M.

Rollins, Jr.Attorney

Preston Johnson in South Vietnam in 1971.

Preston Johnson, right, when he was stationed at Fort Irwin in California in 1969. Behindhim is a U6 Beaver, left, and a OH13 Helicopter.

E


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2014 july 4th tab layout

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