Troops saluted for service

Company D still adjusting to life back home

April 15, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

The angry thunder grabbed Dustin Free’s attention.
In an instant, he was fully alert.
He didn’t like the sound — not one bit. There was something especially unnerving about the unpredictability of its nature that kept him awake.
So he stayed up and waited out the storm.
Ironically, it was on this dark, rain-filled night when Free — a National Guardsman with the 111th Signal Battalion’s Delta Company — was most reminded of his foreign service in Iraq, a land of sand and wind.
Just like the thunder that night, the sounds often heard by soldiers half a world away are just as erratic and even more threatening.
A soldier sometimes never forgets what that feels like.
“You don’t like loud booms,” Free said of the continuing adjustment — or “decompression” — he and other members of Delta Company still deal with five months after returning from a 12-month tour in Tikrit, the hometown of Saddam Hussein.
“When I heard that first loud BOOM! ... I stayed up the whole time,” he said. “That was the first storm we’ve had since we got back.”
But those moments occur less frequently with time.
For the most part, the things they have experienced since their return in November have been the stuff of dreams after a year spent in a desert — things like trees, grass, flowers and yes, even a good blanketing of pollen.
“All the pollen is something to adjust to,” Sgt. Timothy Scarboro said.
“But this is the first time in my life that I think I’ve been so glad to see so much (pollen),” Sgt. Calvin Butler said. “I don’t mind it at all.”
“It’s springtime and there are flowers,” said Spec. Shannon Kelly of Jackson. “Over there, there were no trees, grass or anything.”
Another favorite moment for the foursome occurred Saturday during their unit’s “Freedom Salute” at the Hodges Armory.
During the ceremony, attended by high-ranking military officers, local dignitaries and family members, the 111th Signal Battalion’s Delta Company was honored for its outstanding service overseas in Iraq.
Members of the unit for whom the tour of duty was the first overseas service received a flag, a certificate and lapel pin. Unit members who returned from their second tour were presented with service rings.
Delta Company helped move Tikrit into the 21st century by installing fiber optic cables necessary for phones, computers and satellite communication.
Capt. Mike Brown said the unit’s leadership cadre is proud of the job the 111th Signal Battalion — and Delta Company — did in Iraq.
“This event is a ceremony put on by the Army recognizing the unit’s achievements during deployment,” he said. “It means a great deal to us. We came together and did an outstanding job. The guys did an outstanding job from day one, and this means a lot to be recognized for all the hard work.
“We took it from scratch over there. That’s what we had to go through in setting up the communications infrastructure. We just really appreciate the community and the families and all the support they have given us.”
“It makes us feel good that we have been supported so much while we were gone,” Butler added. “That means a lot.”
But in many respects, the ceremony served as a big get-together for the troops, as many of the soldiers were seeing each other for the first time since returning from Iraq last November.
There are plenty of hugs, handshakes and smiles to go around.
“It’s just like a reunion for us,” Kelly said.
Saturday also was a celebration — both for a job well done, and other more meaningful reasons only a soldier can best appreciate.
“The best thing is that we brought everyone back home with us,” Free said. “That right there is really something to celebrate.

This is the ‘Big One’

Five area runners will take part in the 111th Boston Marathon

April 15, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The hard work has finally paid off.
A group of area runners will compete Monday in the 111th Boston Marathon.
Darrell and Forest Newby (father and son), Eric and Erin Smith (father and daughter) and Weldon Humphreys all qualified for the legendary 26.2-mile race from rural Hopkinton to Boston.
For Darrell and Forest, the race has a special meaning.
Darrell competed in his first Boston Marathon in 2005 as Forest, a former offensive lineman at Ninety Six, stood among the thousands of spectators and cheered him on. This time around, the two will run together.
“It’s just a thrill,” Darrell said. “This is something we’ve been shooting for, for a long time. I’m really excited about the opportunity.”
Darrell said along with watching him compete the first time, the event itself had a lot to do with Forest’s push to qualify for the event.
“I think the crowd and the atmosphere really motivated him,” Darrell said. “My advice for him is to stick with it and be patient once the race starts. Don’t try to do too much.
“For me, I’m just going to enjoy the race. I’m going to take my time and soak up the atmosphere. The first time I ran, it was 86 degrees, which was the second-highest temperature in Boston Marathon history. Hopefully, it’s a little cooler this time.”
Cooler might be an understatement according to the latest weather forecasts and weather alert posted on the Boston Athletic Association Web site.
Heavy rains are expected Monday, with the starting-time temperatures in the mid to upper 30s. Wind will likely be East (in the face of the participants for most of the race) in the 20 to 25 mile per hour range, with gusts as fast as 50 miles per hour.
This will produce a wind chill index of 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
No matter what the temperature is though, Forest is ready to go.
“Just to qualify for Boston is a huge deal,” Forest said. “A lot of people try for years to qualify and don’t ever do it.”
“To say I qualified is a huge honor. The reason I started running is because I watched my dad run in the Boston Marathon.”
“It’s Patriots’ Day in Boston, everybody has the day off, and it’s just a huge party for 26 miles. Both sides of the road are just jam-packed with people.”
Although it’s not a bad problem to have, Forest said he’s having conflicting emotions when contemplating how he will run his first Boston Marathon.
“I kind of tell myself that I’m going to run it easy and enjoy everything,” Forest said. “Then at same time, I know the competitive juices are going to start flowing. It all depends on how I feel when I get to the starting line. If I go for a PR (personal record), I’m going to try to go for just under 3 hours. I still haven’t made up my mind on that.
“If I do go for a PR, it’ll be for myself.”
For Eric Smith, Monday’s race will seem quite familiar, yet different.
Eric ran in the Boston Marathon in 2003 and 2005, but this time he’ll have his daughter at his side.
“It’s going to be fantastic to run with Erin,” Eric said. “Boston is the crown jewel of running and it’s what all marathoners shoot for. We’re looking forward to it.”
Eric added that with the course being so crowded, it’s hard to try to set a personal record although not impossible.
“It’s more of a reward for all of the hard work you put in qualifying,” Eric said. “We’re basically doing this for fun and plan to just have a good time running.”
Erin, who ran cross country and track while at Greenwood High School and recently graduated from the College of Charleston, echoed her father’s thoughts on running together.
It’s definitely exciting,” Erin said. “I’ve been looking forward to running with my dad. The Boston Marathon is the one that you look forward to and it’s going to be a lot of fun. I think we’re going to run together and enjoy this one because it’s really special.”
Erin said that although it took her some time and additional training to reach a qualifying time, she’s glad she finally met her goal. As far as what she’s been doing since qualifying for the Boston Marathon, it’s not what you might expect.
“It’s kind of funny because I’ve had knee trouble, so I’ve been relaxing,” Erin said. “I run enough, so distance is not a problem.
After running for almost seven years, Weldon Humphreys also qualified for his first Boston Marathon. “It feels great to have a chance to run in the Boston Marathon and I’m looking forward to it,” Weldon said.
Humphreys has continued to prepare for the Boston Marathon by running in a few 5K races in Greenwood since qualifying.
Humphreys said he was hoping to run with his son Trent, who ran in the Boston Marathon in 2006.
Although Trent qualified this year, he didn’t register in time and will have to sit out this year’s race.
“We were looking forward to running together,” Weldon said. “Last year he had a qualifying time and he also qualified this year. It was just a matter of missing registration.”

Obituaries

Sara Wood Cooper

WARE SHOALS — Sara Wood Cooper, 97, widow of William Roy Cooper, died April 13, 2007, at Wesley Commons. She was born in Princeton, S.C., a daughter of the late John Morgan and Mayme McCuen Wood.
She grew up in Princeton and Belton, was a graduate of Belton High School and received her B.S. Degree in Mathematics from Winthrop College. She taught third grade at Ware Shoals Primary School for 28 years.
Mrs. Cooper was a member of First Baptist Church and was active in the Woman’s Missionary Society and served as Bible teacher and Circle Chairman for many years. She was honored with a service plaque for her forty-eight years as teacher of the T.E.L. class in 1995.
Surviving her are two sons, J.E. Cooper and wife, Sudie, Ware Shoals and Lee Cooper and wife, Donna, Tarboro, N.C.; two daughters, Eunice Ann Fowler, Columbia, and Dr. Nancy McDonald and husband, Dr. Joseph McDonald, Athens, Ala.; two granddaughters, Ashley Quinn and husband, John, Raleigh, N.C., Catherine Likosar and husband, David, Orlando, Fla.; five grandsons, Robert Fowler and wife, Nancy, Melbourne, Fla., William Fowler and wife, Deborah, Ridgeland, S.C., Dr. Kyle McDonald, Albuquerque, N.M., Dr. Cooper McDonald, Boston, Mass., and John E. Cooper and wife, Cynthia, Ware Shoals; two step-grandchildren, Irene Holloway and husband, Mickey, Belton and Gary Ashley and wife, Teese, Honea Path; twelve great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted on Monday at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church by the Rev. Leon Jones, with burial in Turkey Creek Cemetery. Grandsons will serve as active pallbearers.
The family will receive friends at the church one hour before the service. Memorials may be made to Ware Shoals First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 449, Ware Shoals, SC 29692.
Parker-White Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Donna Collins Haddock

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Donna Collins Haddock, 93, passed away peacefully on Friday April 13, 2007, in Jacksonville. Mrs. Haddock was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and had lived in Jacksonville for many years. She was a member of Parkwood Baptist Church. She was a beloved Mother, Sister, Grandmother, Aunt and friend to all who loved her and will be greatly missed.
Mrs. Haddock was preceded in death by many relatives including her parents, A.H. and Lucille Collins and her husband, William C. Haddock. She is survived by her Daughters, Joan Lee, Barbara Derriso (Ken) and Carole Johnson (Ken); Sister, Doris Braddock Riley; Nephew, Jerry Braddock; 10 Grandchildren, 18 Great-Grandchildren, 4 Great-Great-Grandchildren and many loving friends.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 15, 2007, at Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home, 940 Cesery Blvd., Jacksonville, Fla. 32211. Graveside services will be held on Monday, April 16, 2007, at 11 a.m. in Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, Fla.

Inez Martin

WARE SHOALS — Inez Martin, 85, of 2 Holloway Drive, died Friday, April 13, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Born in Whitney, SC, she was a daughter of the late Wilford Samuel and Vennie Mae Hammett Martin. She was a member of the Ware Shoals First Baptist Church, where she had been active in the church choir and was a former Sunday School teacher. She was retired from Metric Shirt Plant of Belton.
Surviving are two brothers, Leon Martin of Ware Shoals and Arie Martin of Orangeburg; 6 nephews; 8 nieces; 12 great-nephews; 16 great-nieces; 8 great-great-nephews; and 12 great-great-nieces. She was predeceased by two brothers, George and Albert Martin.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church, with Rev. Leon Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church. The family is at the home of a brother, Leon Martin, 27 S. Greenwood Ave. Memorials may be made to the Ware Shoals First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 449, Ware Shoals, SC or to Hospice of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
Parker-White Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Martha Banks Norman

MOUNT CARMEL — Martha Anderson Banks Norman, 94, of 349 Highway 823, died Saturday, April 14, 2007, at Savannah Heights Living Center in McCormick.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Abbeville & White Mortuary Inc., Abbeville.

Mildred Plampin

Mildred Nalley Plampin, 82, of 104 Yorke Drive, widow of James N. Plampin, died Saturday, April 14, 2007, at her home.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Marie Rappleyea

DESTIN, Fla. — Marie Rappleyea, age 78, passed away peacefully after a long illness with Dementia, at Delta Health Care, Destin, Fla., on April 9, 2007.
Marie was born on Jan. 7, 1929 in Terryville, Conn.
Marie is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Rappleyea.
Following her marriage in 1964, she settled in Cold Spring, N.Y., until Bob’s retirement from West Point Military Academy. After her husband’s retirement in 1980, they moved to Hampstead, N.C., where they owned and operated the Shady Pine Campground. Years later after her husband’s death, Marie moved to Greenwood, S.C., in 1991. Following her illness, she lived in Fla. Marie led an active life before her illness. She enjoyed meeting and chatting with people at her campground, doing volunteer work for her church in Greenwood and spending time with her cats and dogs.
She is survived by her daughter, Roberta Goldsberry, son-in-law, David Goldsberry, of Crestview, Fla.; and granddaughter, Sun-Hee Goldsberry, of Terre Haute, Ind.; her son, Charles Rappleyea, daughter-in-law, Janice Rappleyea and grandson, Chad Rappleyea of Matthews, N.C.; her sister, Susan Nagele of Apalachicola, Fla., and niece, Jennifer Nagele, of Atlanta, Ga.
A memorial service will be held at St. Mark United Methodist Church, in Greenwood, South Carolina, on Saturday, April 21, at 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Little Angels Pug Rescue, PO Box 12242, La Crescenta, Calif. 91224.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home is in charge.

Robert L. Rayhon

ABBEVILLE — Robert L. Rayhon, 84, of Abbeville, husband of the late Tommie Jean Rayhon, died Saturday, April 14, 2007, at the National Healthcare Center in Greenwood. He was born in Somerset, N.J., to the late Charles A. and Estelle Rayhon. Mr. Rayhon served in WWII in the United States Army and was a member of the VFW.
He is survived by his sister, Estelle Crane of Hudson, N.Y., and fourteen nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 16, 2007, at Harris Funeral Home.
Funeral services will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be at a later date in Franklin Memorial Park in New Brunswick, N.J.
Online condolences may be sent to the Rayhon family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.
Harris Funeral Home, of Abbeville is assisting the Rayhon family.

Harold Thomas Smith

EDGEFIELD — Harold Thomas Smith, 74, of Edgefield, a former resident of the Burton Center, died April 14, 2007 at the Self Regional Medical Center.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted Monday at 2 p.m. at Edgewood Cemetery.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Smith family.

Willie E. Smith

WARE SHOALS — On Wednesday, April 11, Mr. Willie Edward Smith, 54, of 10 Pearl Street, entered into eternal life.
He was born in Laurens County, was a member of the Rocky Springs Baptist Church and was the son of the late L.J. Smith Morgan and the late Louis Coleman.
Survivors: wife, Jannie Pearl Smith, Grey Court, SC; two sons, Tito Smith, Newberry, SC, and Shawn Anty, Gray Court, SC; three daughters, Shameka (Karsten) Rouse, Donalds, SC, Natasha Smith, Ware Shoals, SC, and Marvo Anty, Gray Court, SC; one brother, Bobby (Dolly) Smith, Ware Shoals, SC; five sisters, Carolyn Smith, Ware Shoals, SC, Sylvia Banner and Mary (Artis) Hawthorne, both of Donalds, SC; Lisa and Robin Coleman, both of Washington, DC; stepfather, James Morgan, Donalds, SC; and eleven grandchildren.
Funeral services are 3 p.m. Monday at Rocky Springs Baptist Church by the Rev. Wymond Wilkins, assisted by the Reverends Sylvester Jackson, Delores Henderson, and Johnny Henderson. Burial is in the church cemetery. The body is at Robinson-Walker Funeral Service and will be on view Sunday beginning at noon and will be placed in the church Monday at 1 p.m.
The family is at the home of his daughter, Shameka Rouse, 40 Heritage Circle, Donalds.
Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals, is in charge of the arrangements.

Julia Louise Spann

WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. — Julia Louise Spann, 37, of West Yellowstone, MT, and formerly of Altamonte Springs and Lake Mary, FL, died Friday, March 23, 2007, due to injuries following an accident. Born in Columbia, SC, on May 26, 1969, she graduated from Lyman High School in 1987 and from Flagler College in 1991.
She is survived by her parents, Jane and Jim Spann of Altamonte Springs, FL; her grandfather, Harry Spann of Summerville, SC; one brother, Jay Spann (Paula) of Lake Mary, FL; one sister, Jaime Amsler (David) of Heathrow, FL; one nephew, Cameron Spann and one niece, Coryne Spann of Lake Mary, FL; uncles, Frank and Mac Spann, Press Mabry, aunts and cousins. She was predeceased by her grandparents Howard and Louise Mabry and Elinor Spann.
There was a memorial service on Monday, April 2, 2007, at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Maitland. A Young Life camp scholarship has been set up in Julia’s name. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Young Life, PO Box 2289, Winter Park, FL 32790 and mark In Memory of Julia Spann, Acct. No. 88441453.

Opinion

‘Open’ meeting, by law, means ‘everything’ open

April 15, 2007

A public meeting involving any part of government has to be open. That’s the law. It cannot be saddled with conditions. That, however, is what happened the other day in Ware Shoals and it stirred some anger when the meeting went behind closed doors.
The meeting was for Ware Shoals High School Principal Jane Blackwell to tell the School District 51 Board of Trustees why she thinks she should keep her job after being charged with obstruction of justice. She was charged after Jill Moore, a cheerleader coach at the school was charged in a sex and alcohol scandal involving students and National Guardsmen.
The Greenwood County sheriff’s office arrested and charged Blackwell with withholding information it said she had about the Moore case.

SHE WAS CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTING to intimidate witnesses, imposing a gag order and locking down the school’s bathrooms to keep students and staff members from talking to anyone about the Moore case.
There are some people in Ware Shoals who are not happy with how the hearings for Mrs. Blackwell were conducted. They expected a public hearing. In fact, Blackwell first said she wanted a public hearing.
However, when it became clear the media were going to cover the hearing and there would be cameras present, Blackwell, according to attorneys, opted to exercise her right to a closed meeting.
That left a lot of interested and concerned people in the lurch. That’s not surprising since they were told the hearing would be open. That built expectations.
The media, of course, are allowed, by law, to report on public meetings, including with cameras.
However, attorneys said the hearing would be closed unless the media waived some of their legal rights, including filming.

THAT, THE MEDIA - ELECTRONIC AND print - could not do without compromising their constitutional obligations. So, in spite of asking for an open meeting, Blackwell, according to her attorneys, changed her mind.
People felt they’d been given the short end of the stick. It generated a lot of anger. The entire situation could and should have been handled differently from the start. Blackwell should have asked for a closed hearing and not created a situation that obviously disappointed a lot of the public. Had she not understood “public” meant “everything” public, her attorneys were obligated to make that clear.
People were expecting an open meeting. When it was closed at the last minute, a cloud of suspicion fell over the entire proceedings. In fact, there probably will be suspicions from now on. Under the circumstances, isn’t that understandable?