By Betsy Finklea
James Lester “Jim” Chavis was named the Dillon County Veteran of the Year on Monday at the Dillon County Veterans Ceremony held at the Dillon City-County Complex.
The award was presented by James Leslie, a former Veteran of the Year.
Chavis is a Vietnam veteran. He served as “a staff sergeant (E-6) in a 34-Charlie duty assignment as an auxiliary equipment repair man in forward based signal company. Chavis served three tours of active duty in the U.S. Army. His medals and honors include the U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal with two bronze loops; a Vietnamese Service Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, and a Vietnamese Commendation Medal. Chavis is a life member of the VFW and serves as Senior Vice-Commander of the Dillon County VFW Post 6091. He is on the VFW Education Committee, which helps select the winner of the Spradley Scholarship each  year, and is chairman of the VFW Community Service Programs. He is a member of the American Legion.
The George F. Spradley $1,000 Annual Scholarship was presented by Col. Jon R. Walters, Jr. to Rebecca Hayes of Lake View.’
Col. Jeffrey C. Bozard was the guest speaker. Col. Bozard  is the Vice Commander, 113th Wing, District of Columbia Air National Guard (DCANG), Joint-Base Andrews, Maryland.  
The names of the deceased military members were also read by James E. Lockemy, MG (Ret.). A total of 74 veterans have died since last year’s ceremony.
Others participating in the program were Mayor Todd Davis, Rev. Dean Page, Lynn Bowman, Terry Morris, George M. Pullie, Mallory Scott, Charlese Townsend, Joseph T. Griffin, Jr., and Tony Peele.