Submitted by Lloyd Brown, VFW and American Legion Officer
The Unserviceable Flag Retirement Ceremony was held at the Dillon VFW Post #6091 on Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. where we retired 19 unserviceable flags that were faded, worn, or torn.
It was also to honor the veterans who are deceased that had served under the flag of The United States of America, these veterans had served during war and peace time to defend the freedom and rights that we have.
A flag was dedicated to 18 individual veterans and one flag was dedicated as a cover flag to honor all of the men and women who had served this flag who were not mentioned today.
The following members of the VFW and The American Legion participated in the Ceremony, M.C. Lloyd Brown, Sgt.-At-Arms Thom Thompson, Commander Harry Moore, Second Vice-Commander Levern Hayes, First Vice Commander Bill Hayes, The United States flag Bearer Mallory Scott, Bell Ringer Pam Pryor, Flag Dedicator Ziena Walker, and Chaplain Jim Chavis.
The following is a list of the veterans who are deceased and had a flag dedicated to them:
1. John Wesley Smith, U.S. Army–Deceased Jan. 30, 2019.
2. Kenneth Charles Black, U.S. Navy–Deceased March 3, 2019.
3. John Franklin Whittemore, U.S. Army–Deceased Jan. 01, 2018.
4. James Saleeby, U.S. Air Force–Deceased Jan. 01, 2018.
5. Carroll G. Allen Sr., U.S. Army–Deceased July 04, 2018.
6. James Donald Wright, U.S. Air Force–Deceased Sept. 11, 2018.
7. Dennis Charles Diamond, U.S. Marine–Deceased Nov. 27, 2018.
8. John Ducan Flowers, U.S. Army–Deceased March 18,2017.
9. Christopher Michael Harris, U.S. Army–Died in Combat in Afghanistan, August 3, 2017.
10. John Henry Jackson, Sr. U.S. Army–Deceased Feb. 25, 2017.
11. Rogers Kelly English, U.S. Navy–Deceased March 1, 2015.
12. Edward Irving Crew, U.S. Army–Deceased April 4, 2015.
13. Marvin Peter Pryor, U.S. Army–Deceased Jan. 29, 2015.
14. Perry Blackshear Newton Jr., U.S. Navy–Deceased April 19, 2015.
15. James Lee Smith, U.S. Navy–Died in Combat in Afghanistan, Dec. 11, 2013.
16. Vernon “Bo” Lane, U.S. Army–Deceased Nov. 1, 2010.
17. Wade Hampton Walters, U.S. Army–Deceased Nov. 4, 1988.
18. George Archie McDuffie, U.S. Army–Deceased Aug. 24, 1984.
19. We Dedicate this Flag to All of the Men and Women who have served our Great Country and our Flag during was and Peace to provide us with the Freedom and Liberty that we have. We have the Greatest Nation on earth because Veterans, Men and Women sacrificed their time, limbs, and lives to keep it that way.
Colonel Houser of the Dillon High School JROTC, his non-commissioned Officer SFC Randy Gray and the following Cadets did an excellent job in making the Flag Retirement Ceremony a success. The Cadet Flag Escort Commander was La-Taurean Brigman, who did a flawless job of leading the Cadets through their performance.
The cadets carried the flags through two inspection lines to have them certified as unserviceable and recommended for dignified disposal.
The members of the Flag Escort Detail were, Ladarius Braddy, Athena Coon, Dalamarius Coon, Micah Bethea, Yuliza Gomez, Mar’Kiasia Bethea, Talaya McLellan, Shamirah Page, Nicholas Overby and Lazia, Miles who did a professional job of playing Taps. These Cadets, their school, and community can be proud of their commitment to their country and the veterans who serve it.
The members of the VFW Post #6091 and the American Legion Post #32 wish to thank The Dillon High School’s JROTC for their help in the Ceremony, the American Legions Ladies Auxiliary who served refreshments after the ceremony ended and Benny Cooper, who loaned us his bell.

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Photos by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon Herald
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