BLYTHEWOOD – Under clear blue skies, white clouds, and a giant American flag, a hundred or so guests gathered on the lawn of the Langford-Nord House on McNulty Road to attend the 15th annual Blythewood Veterans Day Celebration. The program was presented on Saturday by the Blythewood Historical Society & Museum and the Town of Blythewood.
The Society’s president Martha McCoy welcomed guests and introduced emcee Chuck Tombaugh, a former Quilt of Valor recipient and member of the Historical Society.
The program was filled with patriotic music and speeches.
Blythewood’s Vance and Jeannie Sharpe performed a selection of patriotic songs including God Bless America, America’s Still Beautiful and God Bless the U.S.A. The Bethel-Hanberry Chorus also sung several patriotic songs under the direction of the school’s long-time music director Saundra Portee.
JROTC color guards, representing the Blythewood and Westwood High Schools, posted the flags. Retired Navy veteran Eddie Baughman gave the invocation. Major (Ret.) Keith Bailey lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Veteran Harris McLean recited the Preamble to the Constitution.
There were 17 exhibitors on the grounds including several American Legion and VFW Posts, Blue Star Mothers, Bob Redfern vintage military vehicles, a helicopter, the SC State Military Museum, and the Hud McLean family’s vintage military Jeep.
The finale of the program was the presentation of Quilts of Valor to four Army veterans: Benjamin Gridine, Harold Palmer, Nick Redding, and Jermal Washington; two Air Force veterans: Dr. Rex Brugh and William York; and Marine veteran James Mumma. Mumma and Gridine were unable to attend.
Presenting the quilts were Jeannie Hurlbert, Robin Lupia, Frankie McLean, and Carolyn Lomas.
Hurlbert thanked the veterans for their service, their sacrifice, and their valor and told them how much the quilters loved creating the quilts for them.
“We purchase and provide the finest fabrics to make these quilts,” Hurlbert said. “Our mission is to cover service members and veterans, who have been touched by war, with comforting and healing quilts of valor. We are so grateful to you,” Hurlbert said to the veterans.
