Ceremony held to recognize veterans

By Ben Freda

Veterans, who are currently or were formerly residents of North Myrtle Beach, were recognized at the First Annual Salute to North Myrtle Beach Veterans, which was held at the North Myrtle Beach Museum on Friday, October 3. The ceremony began with the Posting of the Colors by American Legion Post 186 and Kellie J. Willard’s rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.

SPEC 4 Ray Collins shared a few of his experiences in the U.S. Army. He recalled having sleepless nights before going on the bus and meeting his drill instructor the first time. He informed all that veterans endure such as countless nights and long distances from family.

“Being a veteran means seeing your family one time only during a year if you’re lucky,” he said. “Being a veteran means spending Christmas and Thanksgiving away from family. Family has to be thousands of miles away sometimes. Being a veteran means having your heart beat well beyond the maximum heart valve.”

Ray’s wife, Gayle Collins, worked together with her long-time friend Jolene Puffer, who is a candidate for city council. Jolene spoke at the ceremony sharing that her father is a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Army. She thanked everyone who has served.

“It’s such a value to have the freedom that we do,” she said. “This was an opportunity for me to give back to you.

Jimmy Ragsdale, whose father James is a retired communist sergeant major EA living in Spotsylvania, Virginia, recognized each branch with a pinning ceremony. Wives placed pins on their military husbands.

“We are here to honor our veterans, the men and women who put on uniforms of the United States of America, stood tall for our freedoms and carried the weight of sacrifice so we might have peace,” he said. “Our city is built on more than beaches. They were built on the service and courage of our veterans.

Dick Hester, who has been residing in North Myrtle Beach since 1956, was recognized as the Legacy Veteran Honoree. He was honored not just for being the oldest veteran but his contributions to the city. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1956. He was a dispersing clerk on the ship called USS Burdo (APD 133), which carried the Underwater Demolition Team (now called Special Services).

“If I had a choice to make where I go back into the service, I would be happy to go today if they were to take me,” he said.

Hester later served on the Horry County Board of Education for eleven years throughout the 1970’s. From 1988 to 1992, he served as the Mayor of North Myrtle Beach. He put together the North Myrtle Beach Museum, which opened in 2013.

Dan Summit, who was a combat medic in the Vietnam War, gave a brief history of the Quilt of Valor, which was awarded to Collins. He encouraged his fellow veterans, who have never received a quilt, to give their name and brief info about themselves so they can be honored.

“If you have been touched by war as all of us have, we would like to honor you,” he said. “A quilt can not be bought. They’re not given. They’re rewarded.”

The ceremony ended with desserts, fellowship and songs by Deb Browning of Deb Browning Music and Marlisa Small, owner of Marlisa’s Wig Shop and Day Spa.