HOLIDAY DINNER DECEMBER 10

Our membership was treated to a very enjoyable concert provided by the Carolina Forrest High School Chamber Orchestra.  When they first entertained us in 2018, their music department had around 20 members.  Today, there are more than 100 students in the curriculum.  Their program included many of the popular Christmas favorites, but we were pleasantly  impressed with their playing of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Winter. Attendees provided toys to the Toys for Tots Program.

DINNER MEETING 12 NOVEMBER

Our speaker, LtCol Barbara Hunter, USAF (ret) gave a very informative briefing on her participation as a member of the Department of the Air Force Retiree Council. They met this summer where the 19 volunteer Representatives from all over the nation discussed many topics of interest to retirees. She discussed their findings on recruiting in today’s difficult environment where a variety of initiatives are bearing some fruit such as greatly increased enlistment/re-enlistment bonuses, and return to active duty programs. She provided information/websites on retiree benefits, DFAS contact information, spouse survivor information, new ID requirements, and VA improvements. Barbara encouraged us to utilize the MBCH VA and to replace any old blue IDs for service members and the tan ones for dependents with the new color ID ones which will be required in 2025. They can be obtained at bases or even online.

DINNER MEETING 8 OCTOBER 

Our featured speaker was Devin Parks, Director of Economic Development for the City of Myrtle Beach. Devin joined the Myrtle Beach team in November of 2022 by way of the Conway Chamber of Commerce, where he served as the Director of Economic Development and Government Relations for eight years. Devin is a Coastal Carolina University Alumnus and has lived in Horry County since 1996.

Devin works very closely with Mayor Bethune of Myrtle Beach on a project to revitalize the downtown section of the city (around 9th Avenue) that is referred to as the new Arts and Innovation Boulevard. The aim is to create an environment that will attract private investment in new businesses, and young graduates seeking employment. It is anticipated that the new businesses will add a new vibrancy of the city. To achieve this, the city has taken several initiatives. It has an incubator section of offices where new start-ups have a chance to grow. They are investing (through state grants) in retaining and renovating historic buildings to house these efforts. These plans have been in progress for several years, but this type of project typically takes ten years to finish. Though not another Market Common, they will use many of the principles used there. It should be a great advancement of our community. 

DINNER MEETING 10 SEPTEMBER

Members were treated to a wonderful presentation by Lee

Brockington, a renowned local historian, Hobcaw Barony interpreter,

author, and public speaker. She gave a tour de force lecture on the history

of Pawleys Island from its initial settlement to modern times. She told

fascinating vignettes of many of the famous and wealthy residents of the

area as well as aspects of the Gullah-Geechee culture of the slaves and

their descendants who enabled the Low Country plantations to be

successful. Lee Brockington’s blend of warm humor, insightful

observations on the social structure of the Low Country through centuries,

and her wide ranging knowledge of the area’s complex history provided the

attendees a wonderful experience. Several members were glad to have

the opportunity to purchase an autographed copy of her book, Pawleys

Island, Stories from the porch.

LUNCHEON MEETING JUNE 18

Congressman Russell Fry was our featured speaker for June and addressed a full room of chapter members. A long-time friend of the Congressman and a chapter member, Jerry Rovner, made the introduction. It was good to meet our area’s legislator on Capitol Hill and get his opinion on the state of our country. He made the following points:

·        Being a congressman is not that sexy. There are arduous  committee debates, media interviews, HR voting, etc., but what gives him the most satisfaction is solving problems for individual constituents. You can get something done and see the results of your effort. The bickering and the great divide between political parties is no fun.

·       Too much Congressional power assigned to this legislative body in  Art. 1 of the Constitution has been abdicated to the Executive Branch. This takes form as presidential executive orders and  bureaucratic regulations. Both political parties when occupying the White house are at fault.

·       An avid supporter of veterans’ issues. He will always honor those who serve to protect and fight for our freedom.

·       Congress has approved the latest version of the National Defense Authorization Act, and it is now up to the Senate and the President to approve. The bill authorizes nearly $900 billion for the nation’s defense. The NDAA prioritizes improving U.S. service members’ quality of life and restores focus of our military on warfighting and deterring rising global threats.

·       The greatest threat to our democracy is our national debt. Currently, our debt interest owed is approximately the same amount as we use to fund our military. Again, both parties share the blame for excess spending.

DINNER MEETING MAY 14, 2024

Major General Newton addressed the JROTC cadets challenging them to abide with the Army values which if followed are the key elements of successful leadership. He pointed out that values are not to be confused with opinions. Values are time tested, while opinions change with outside influences. Army values are:

•        Loyalty – Bear true faith and allegiance to the US Constitution, the Army and your unit and fellow soldiers
•        Duty – Fulfill your obligations
•        Respect – Respect others
•        Selfless Service – Put the welfare of the nation and the accomplishment of the mission ahead of individual desires
•        Honor – An Army value
•        Integrity – Develop by adhering to moral principles and not deceiving others
•        Personal Courage – The ability to face fear, danger, or adversity, both physical and moral.

THE FOLOWING SENIOR JROTC CADETS RECEIVED A $3000 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP

          Cadet Sean Bowker (St. James Army JROTC

 Cadet Bowker attends St. James High School where he is the Battalion Commander of the unit (1^st   Semester). He is ranked 7^th out of 408 seniors, a National Honors Society member, and an Eagle Scout. He   was chosen as Horry County’s JROTC Cadet of the Year for 2023. He serves as Team Captain for his unit’s   Varsity Raiders, Honor Guard, and JROTC Academic Team. Cadet Bowker’s future goal is to obtain a civil   engineering degree.

            Cadet Briar Long (Georgetown Navy JROTC)