“COME AND FIGHT ME!” THE CULTURE AND LEGACY OF UNITED STATES MARINES By W. Thomas Smith Jr. AS WE NEAR THE 245TH BIRTHDAY OF MY MARINE CORPS (about 12 days from now), I was thinking about why annual November 10 birthday celebrations and…
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. COLUMBIA, S.C. – Gen. Carter Ham, the retired U.S. Army four-star who today serves as president of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), addressed members of AUSA’s Fort Jackson-Palmetto State Chapter during a reception, Wed….
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. FORT JACKSON, S.C. – Members of the Gateway to the Army Association gathered, Tues, Jan. 7, on the site of Centennial Park at Fort Jackson to inspect and discuss the ongoing $2.7-million pavilion-amphitheater project. Construction has begun…
Event to raise money in support of new Army-honoring park and visitor venues at Fort Jackson, South Carolina By W. Thomas Smith Jr. COLUMBIA, S.C. – The GATEWAY TO THE ARMY ASSOCIATION – a non-profit organization with a mission of designing, funding,…
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. (RCSD) Investigator Armando Yturria, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces sergeant major, was recognized by the national Quilts of Valor Foundation for his distinguished military service as a special operations leader, Thurs., Apr. 4. Yturria,…
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. COLUMBIA, S.C. – Candidates for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Response Team (RCSD-SRT) are being put through the paces this week as they master the finer points of close-quarters-battle (CQB) techniques and other special tactics at both…
Nationally acclaimed sheriff will become head of the South Carolina State Guard COLUMBIA, S.C. – Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott will assume command of the historic S.C. State Guard (SCSG), Dec. 1, 2018. Lott, who currently serves as deputy commander SCSG (holding…
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Countless law enforcement agencies have achieved fame and notoriety over the previous 100 years. High profile criminal cases have led to the renown of many, as have the sheer number of police departments, sheriff’s offices and other…
COMMEMORATING NATIONAL AIRBORNE DAY, AUGUST 16, 1940-2018 By W. Thomas Smith Jr. When I attended jump school nearly 40 years ago, there was a saying among non-paratroopers that ground week separated the men from the boys. Tower week separated the fools from…
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. COLUMBIA, S.C. – Lt. Col. (Ret.) Howard Tobias Rowell, U.S. Air Force Reserve (USAFR), received what he describes as “the most comforting award” recognizing his service in both the USAFR and the U.S. Marine Corps when he…
