Local Marine injured in Iraq explosion

23-year-old officer listed as ‘critical’

November 3, 2006

By R. SHAWN LEWIS
Index-Journal managing editor

Bettye Kinard, of Greenwood, had a few words of loving precaution for her grandson, Marine 2nd Lt. Andrew Kinard, of Spartanburg, before he began his tour of duty in Iraq.
“The last thing I told him before he left was ‘Don’t step on any mines,’ and he said, ‘I won’t, Grandma,’” she said Thursday.
Some time late Saturday or early Sunday, sadly, those words became an eerie premonition for Bettye and her husband, Dr. H.B. Kinard Jr., who were “devastated” Monday when they learned their grandson had been seriously injured.
Kinard, 23, was on patrol along with three other Marines in western Iraq when he either stepped on or was struck in the lower body with an improvised explosive device, or IED, family members told the Spartanburg Herald-Journal for stories eariler this week.
In the explosion, Kinard lost all of his right leg and most of his left. Surgeons began assessing the internal and external damage to his body late in the night, and hope to save the remaining part of his left leg, the Rev. Don Wilton, senior pastor at First Baptist, told the Herald-Journal. The blast took it off above the knee.
Kinard, who is part of the 2nd Marine Division’s 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., is at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.
He was listed in “critical” condition Thursday afternoon in the hospital, said Ellen Crown, deputy public affairs officer for NNMC. Doctors at NNMC list patients as “good, fair, serious, critical and undetermined,” she said, adding privacy laws prohibited her from releasing additional information about patients.
“He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Bettye Kinard said. “Three others were injured with him, but you can’t get any information about them because the Marines won’t give that out. You can get information if they’re killed but not if they’re injured.”
The Marine’s family — father Dr. Harry Kinard, his mother, two sisters and a brother — flew to Maryland Thursday morning to be with him, Bettye Kinard said.
“It’s hard to talk about at this point,” she said. “They have not seen their son yet, but they think it’s going to be fine.”
The family’s flight was made possible through the generosity of a Spartanburg business, which gave the Kinards its corporate jet.
“Spartanburg people have been mighty kind to us,” Bettye Kinard said. “And they’re taking really good care of them (at the hospital).”
Andrew Kinard had “only been over in Iraq for six weeks,” she said.
The Naval Academy graduate “chose the Marines when he graduated because he wanted action. He’s that type of fellow.” His grandmother said the family welcomes well-wishes at its Spartanburg residence. Send cards and other expressions to 2nd Lt. Andrew Kinard, 763 Plume St., Spartanburg, SC 29602.
The grandparents have been besieged by Greenwood-area residents seeking information about their Marine’s status and offering condolences.
“He’s a mighty handsome man to be left in this condition,” she said.

10-year-old tumor patientstaying hopeful

November 3, 2006

By JOSEPH BUTLER
Index-Journal intern

Like any 10-year-old, Jasmine Washington likes to run and play and has dreams of what she wants to be when she grows up.
She also faces the same difficulties in life as other children but with an added challenge: Washington has neurofibromatosis.
Neurofibromatosis causes tumors to grow anywhere in or on the body, said Jennifer Kinard, Washington’s mother. Kinard said she first noticed the beginnings of a tumor on her daughter when she was about 1. It started in her temple area and then grew.
Washington had her first surgery in 2000 to remove the tumor. Ninety percent of it was removed but it soon grew back even larger, Kinard said.
From that moment on, their lives consisted of going from one specialist to the next trying to find someone who could help.
Finally, in 2004, Kinard said they found a doctor in Augusta, Ga., who would operate, but because of complications the surgery was unsuccessful.
Kinard said they were told that because of the way the tumor was situated, there was little that could be done. She said she felt hopeless.
But a recent trip to see Washington’s regular doctor at Greenwood Children’s Clinic has lifted their spirits and given them new hope, Kinard said.
Jasmine’s doctor found someone in Alabama who would look at Washington’s case, she said. They are going for a consultation soon but need help with traveling expenses, she said.
Kinard’s place of work, The Learning Vine, is having a hot dog sale today starting at 11 a.m. to help raise money for Washington. The Learning Vine is at 101 Overland Drive, about one block from Self Regional Medical Center. Anyone wanting to make donations for Washington can take them there or call (864) 229-0000.

Head to Toe Expo provides ‘healthy’ learning environment

November 3, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

Any resident of Greenwood and the Lakelands area who wanted a comprehensive look at what the region has to offer in terms of health care and general wellness could get it all in one location Thursday: Piedmont Tech. Members of Piedmont Tech’s senior associate nursing class hosted the Head to Toe Expo in the school’s multi-purpose building. The health fair served as a major project for the nursing students while providing education to the local community.
The event brought together organizations from all over the area, with the focus being on all categories of health, nutrition and safety. From restaurants presenting healthy alternatives to a Wellness Works’ physical activity booth for children to the Greenwood Fire Department offering safety tips, the event was conceived with the community’s well-being in mind.
“We’ve had health fairs before,” Piedmont Tech nursing instructor Tara Harris said. “But this is by far the biggest one we’ve had. This senior class has been working hard since August to put this together, and we’re very pleased with the outcome.”
As part of the project, each of the 18 class members accepted the role of a staff member of a working hospital. Students took on the positions of CEO, environmentalists, nutritionists and more.
“We wanted them to get a comprehensive feel for the administration of a facility,” Harris said. “Everybody has a role.” Alison Latham was the project’s assistant marketing director.
“Our job was to promote the fair and get people in,” Latham said, observing crowd members as they looked at the exhibits. “I think we’ve gotten a good response.”
Nursing pupil Kathy Rawson was on the environmental committee, whose role was to ensure a seamless atmosphere for health fair exhibitors and attendees. Rawson made sure everything went smoothly in terms of lighting, air conditioning, building conditions and more.
One group that expo organizers made sure to market to was local children. A large group of 3- and 4-year-olds from Lifetime Discovery Center stopped by to enjoy a puppet show and participate in fun and games at the Wellness Works children’s booth.
Amanda Raines, who coordinates a program that combats childhood obesity for Wellness Works, said she enjoyed having the youngsters stop by and participate.
“The kids seem to really enjoy the games we bring out,” Raines said. “They’ll do anything for a sticker!”
Stickers were the prize of choice for kids who completed a hopscotch at the expo.
Raines said she and her organization participate in expos similar to the one at Piedmont Tech; however, she said the Head to Toe Expo was top-notch by comparison.
“I think this is just great,” Raines said. “People can come in and be educated on wellness and have a good time, too.
These nursing students are our future in terms of wellness education.”
Classes from separate, but related fields at Piedmont Tech also set up shop at the expo. One of the more popular exhibits was the school’s massage therapy area. Attendees were encouraged to take a break from browsing booths and get a free massage.
“We’ve been busy,” said Shannon Brooks, who is a student in the two-semester curriculum. “This health fair has been good for us. It raises awareness for our program and gives people the opportunity to get a massage.” Harris said the fair her senior class put together will serve as a solid example for future classes when the time arises for their senior project.
“The class showed a lot of dedication in putting this together,” said Harris, who is one of a number of instructors in Piedmont Tech’s popular two-year nursing program. “I think the other classes have learned a few things as well, and we expect they will do a wonderful job should we do this again in the future.”

Obituaries

David H. Dean

WARE SHOALS — David Haynie Dean, 46, of 53 Honea Path St., died Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2006 at his home. He was born in Greenwood County, a son of Vivian Lucille Wooten Dean and the late Todd Haynie Dean. He was a member of West Main St. Church of God.
Surviving besides his mother of the home are: one brother, Robert W. “Sonny” Dean and wife, Lillian, Ware Shoals, three nieces, Amy O’Dell and husband, Ronald, Laura Horne, April Hampton and husband, Stuart, and great-nieces, Katelyn O’Dell and Sydny Horne, and a great-nephew, Jackson O’Dell.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 3 p.m. at Parker-White Funeral Home with Rev. Aaron Hodges and Rev. Ronald O’Dell officiating. Burial will follow in Garden of Memories.
The family is at the home and will receive friends Friday 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Parker-White Funeral Home. Memorials should be made to the David Dean Fund, P.O. Box 242, Ware Shoals, S.C. 29692.

Bonner Rayford Haddon

ABBEVILLE — Bonner Rayford Haddon, 83, of Abbeville, husband of Kathleen Taylor Haddon, died Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2006 at the Wesley Commons Health Care Center. He was born in Abbeville to the late Bonner L. and Annie Miller Haddon.
Mr. Haddon was a member of Beulah Baptist Church where he was a member of the Men’s Sunday School Class. He retired from law enforcement serving as an Abbeville Policeman and Abbeville County Deputy Sheriff for 19 years and was also a full time farmer.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, David Haddon, and two sisters, Frances H. Cash, and Eleanor H. Chipley.
Surviving Mr. Haddon are his four sons, Eugene Haddon and his wife Joyce of San Antonio, TX, Leroy Haddon and his wife Robbie, George Haddon and his wife Terri, and Lyn Haddon and his wife Tammy, all of Abbeville, a daughter, Bonnie Cann and her husband Steve of Abbeville, a sister, Sue Rapp of Glen Burnie, MD, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, 2006 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, 2006 at Beulah Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Ebenezer United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Haddon may be sent to Beulah Baptist Church, 2066 Hwy. 72 E., Abbeville, SC 29620 or to the HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the Haddon family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.
Harris Funeral Home of Abbeville is assisting the Haddon family.

Samuel Jones

MOUNT CARMEL — Mr. Samuel Jones, age 83, of 1925 Hwy. 823, departed this life on Oct. 29, 2006 at Hospice Care of the Piedmont. He was born Nov. 12, 1922 in McCormick County and was the son of the late Charlie and Lillie Bell Jones. He was a member of Mt. Zion A.M.E. and a retired farmer.
He is survived by nine daughters, Lillie Anderson of Greenwood, Jackie Brown of Abbeville, Genevieve Bryant of the home, Viola Mathis, Pauline Holloway, Georgia Dean, Judy Sanders, Dorothy Billups, all of Buffalo, N.Y., Ollie Rollinson of New Jersey; three sons, James Jones and Charlie Jones, both of Atlanta, GA, Richard Bryant of the home; stepdaughters, Rosetta Jackson, Shirley Bryant, Irene Bryant, Linda Terry, Ida Bryant and Martha Epps; stepsons James Bryant, Jr., Bobby Jones and James M. Bryant; 66 grandchildren; 123 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be Saturday, Nov. 4, 2006 at Mt. Zion A.M.E. in McCormick at 2 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The Revs. W.M. Brown and James Bates will be officiating. Brown and Walker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family is at the home.

Elva H. Manley

Elva Hancock Manley, 98, of 206 Brookhaven Drive, widow of Steve Manley, died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006 at her home.
Born in Belton, she was a daughter of the late Jimmy and Maggie Hancock. She was the co-owner of McCormick Tire Service along with her husband and was a member First Baptist Church of Greenwood.
Surviving is a daughter, Gerry Cogdill of Greenwood; a son, Kenneth Manley of Greenwood; two brothers, Leo Hancock of Hodges and the Rev. Jimmy Hancock of Florida; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be private.
It is respectfully requested that flowers be omitted and memorials made to First Baptist Church, 722 Grace Street, Greenwood, SC 29649.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Miles Moss

E. Miles Moss, 83, resident of 409 Dogwood Dr., husband of Lucretia Smith Moss, died Nov. 1 2006 at Hospice House.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 Saturday evening.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Erica Olson

ANDERSON — Erica Lee Olson, 25, of 1101 Williamston Road, died Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2006 in Anderson.
Surviving are her parents, Dean and Laura Olson of Abbeville; children, Rayanne Elizabeth Olson and Tyrease Christopher Ellis; grandparents, Tom and Frances Kersey of Maupin, Ore., and Boyd and Gayle Davison of Abbeville.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, Greenwood, with the Rev. Randy Taylor officiating.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Eddie J. Parks

Eddie J. Parks, 44, of 118 Westpoint Drive, died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006, at Self Regional Medical Center.
The family is at 802 Taggart St.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.

Charles Edward Waller

GREENVILLE — Charles Edward Waller, 68, formerly of McCormick County, died Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2006, in Greenwood.
The Brown Funeral Home, Greer and Greenville, is in charge.

Stay focused

November 3, 2006

By JIM JOYCE
Special projects editor

With all four teams ranked in the top four of the national poll, Lander coach Van Taylor is a happy man about the Bearcats hosting the first round of the Southeast Region soccer tournament.
In the Division II regional rankings, Lander is No. 1, Queens No. 2, USC Upstate No. 3 and Limestone No. 4. Lander is 15th and Queens is 23rd in the NSCAA poll.
“Anytime you can keep your daily routine, it helps,” Taylor said about Lander’s encounter with Queens University at 4 p.m. today.
“It helps to be able to sleep in your own bed and play on your own field. It has to be an advantage, but we have to stay focused on what’s ahead.”
The first round starts at 1 p.m. with USC Upstate facing Limestone, with Lander and Queens taking the field afterward. The championship game is at 1 p.m. Sunday.
The Bearcats (16-3) defeated USC Aiken last Sunday to capture the Peach Belt Conference tournament championship after tying Clayton State for the regular-season title.
Queens (11-4-2) won the Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference regular season, but lost in the tournament semifinals. Limestone (13-2-5) also is a member of the CVAC, while USC Upstate (12-3-2) is a member of the Peach Belt Conference. After wrapping up the PBC title, Taylor said Lander players “are excited and pleased to win the tournament.”
“Monday was a day of recovery and to start focusing on the tournament the few days we had left,” he said. “At that point, we didn’t know who we were playing, but now we do and we need to get focused.”
Lander defeated Queens early in the season, but Taylor is telling the Bearcats it won’t be the same team this time around.
“Both teams are playing better at this point in the season,” Taylor said. “They are very solid and well coached. Their coach was coach of the year again, and he does a great job up there.
“We’re expecting another difficult game and the players know that. The stakes are raised. It’s a knockout, where if you lose, your season is over. We understand that. It’s a different level of competition.”
Lander is a junior/senior-oriented team while Queens has mostly sophomores, but Taylor doesn’t see that as a huge factor.
“If it was a young freshman class, I could understand, but they won their league last year with the same players,” he said. “They are more mature, but what’s important is that two good teams will play. We were fortunate enough to beat them early, but like us, they are playing their best soccer. And we feel fortunate to be healthy right now.”
Realizing the earlier game was close (2-0 final), Taylor said he expects much of the same, but on a different level.
“They are solid all around, with some all-conference players,” he said. “They are steady, good and solid, with not a lot of holes. It will be a different team.”

GHS runners ready to race for state title

November 3, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Lakelands will be well-represented on Saturday as the cross country state finals take place at Sandhills Research Park in Columbia.
The Class A boys will run at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Class AA/A girls race, which begins at 10. The Lakelands will also have several runners participating in the Class AA boys race which begins at 10:30. The final representatives from the area will run in the Class AAAA race. The girls are scheduled to run at noon followed by the boys at 12:30.
The Greenwood Eagles head into the Class AAAA final led by Brenden Feucht, who finished fourth individually in the Region I-AAAA meet, along with fifth-year runner Rett Templeton and Josh Smith. All three have been mainstays for the Eagles this season, along with Josh Cabrera, Sebastian Palecki, Ryan Moore and Keliomer Castilla.
The Eagles boys’ team finished third overall and according to Eagles coach Robbie Templeton, the finals give his team something to build on.
“It’ll be a good experience for the guys and especially those who are coming back next year,” Templeton said. “We made huge strides this season over last season in a very tough region. This is more of a reward for the runners and there’s no pressure on them.”
The Eagles have one participant from the girls team in freshman Jenna Ficklin, who according to coach Jack Carmody, is excited about the opportunity in only her first year of participation.
“We’re pleased with her performance this season,” Carmody said. “She is a raw talent and a very inexperienced runner but the sky is the limit for her.”
Abbeville has a representative from the boys and girls teams in the final. Emma Williams finished No. 27 overall last weekend in the AA Upper State qualifier at Dorman High School after being out with medical problems until a few weeks ago.
“Emma’s a veteran runner,” Lady Panthers coach Lillian Ferguson said. “She really pushed herself to get in shape for this season.”
The top 45 finishers qualified for the state finals, so Williams was in safely along with first-year runner Evan Carroll, who finished 44th among the boys.
“We are very excited for and proud of Evan and Emma,” Ferguson said. “Evan put forth a tremendous effort at every single practice this year, and they are both very excited about the opportunity to compete Saturday in the state championship.”
Emerald is running to the state finals after Stephanie Whitmire finished second overall at Dorman for the Lady Vikings, who placed third as a team.
Also participating for the Lady Vikings are: Katie Henderson, Andrea Hodge, Shelby Harris, Kirstie Lee, Katie Doud, Allison Tolbert and Leslie Bledsoe.
The Vikings boys squad was led by Mavrick Harris and Andrew Wilson as the team finished in eigth place at Dorman. Harris finished with a time of 18 minutes, 14 seconds, while Wilson was on his heels with a time of 18:19.
Corey Reardon, Matt Amey, Kevin Quan, Matthew Menard, Blake Rodgers and Spencer Weeks round out the Vikings’ squad.
Like Emerald, Ninety Six will be sending the boys and girls teams to the state meet. Michael Rounds, who finished second overall at the Upper State meet, leads the Ninety Six boys. He will run with teammates: Daniel Longmire, Jordan Hine, Jamie Burton, Alex Trowbridge, Bobby Harvley and Judd Larkins.
The Lady Wildcats will feature Andrea Downey, Ashley Rounds, Lea Barrett, Erin Turner, Candace Jones, Miranda Boyle and Laura Simpson.
“I was very pleased with how my girls qualified at Upper State,” Ninety Six coach Sandi Zehr said. “If they finish around that same number I’ll be happy. But my boys can do a lot better than they did. I’d like to see them finish seventh. It will be a challenge, but if they run their best, I think they can do it.”
Dixie is taking a strong contingent to the event with the entire girls’ team qualifying for the Class AA/A event, while the boys will also show up at full strength as they compete in the Class A event for the first time.
“I look for us to do well, but I really have no idea of what to expect,” Hornets coach Libby Folk said. “I’d like to think that we’ll do well, but we will have to see.”
Rebecca Evans and Ashley Martin lead the way for the Lady Hornets. Both runners qualified individually at Dorman with 15th- and 24th-place finishes, respectively, among the AA participants.
Rounding out the team are Sarah Cawood, Erin Iannone, Kylie Burdette, Katlyn Miller, Abby Hope and Hannah Swanaberry. The boys’ squad is made up of Andrew Evans, Caleb Standridge, Dustin Fox, Kovon Tanner, Mitchell Hunt, Justin Douglas and Michael Griffith.
“The weather is supposed to be nice and cool so that’s always a plus as far as I’m concerned,” Folk said.
Saluda is also represented in the AA boys’ final, which speaks well for a team that is in its first year.
“We had our ups and downs this year, but it was a great season,” Tigers coach Martha Bartl said. “We have some talented runners, but most of them were freshman so we’re still building.”
Freshman runner Tornelius Glover is the lone representative for the Tigers after finishing 40th at the qualifier with a time of 19:19.
Bartl said that Glover’s goal is to hit the 18-minute mark this weekend.
“He’s done excellent this season, although I think he’s a little nervous right now,” Bartl said. “He’s a freshman, so he’s got plenty of time.”

Opinion

Ill-advised words can be far-reaching and harmful

November 3, 2006

When Senator John Kerry, D-Mass., suggested that American troops serving in Iraq were uneducated, his words had a more far-reaching effect than might be imagined.
He later apologized, but his apology was that he was sorry “his words had been misinterpreted.”
It was an affront to those now serving in Iraq, of course, not to mention those who served there in the past. It’s also an insult to all of their families. In fact, it was an insult to every veteran that has ever served in the U. S. Armed Forces anywhere.
It was a slap in the face for volunteers, to be sure. That’s bad enough. However, it was doubly insulting to every person who has gladly answered the call to serve this nation.

FURTHERMORE, IT TELLS EVERY future potential volunteer or draftee, if the draft ever again becomes necessary, that being in the military is a place only for those who aren’t smart enough or qualified to do anything else in life.
It is, without a doubt, a disrespectful commentary on the very people who provide him the freedom to make such ill-advised remarks.
For the record, though, a huge majority of those serving in Iraq are high school graduates and almost a half have advanced college degrees. Was Senator Kerry criticizing the military or education?
That’s a thought. It might not be a bad idea to require a six-month universal military service. That could teach a lot of the discipline that is missing in much of today’s society.