Pictured (clockwise from prime left) are Maj. Gen. Van McCarty, Maj. Gen. Jeff Jones, Col. W. Thomas Smith Jr., and 1st Sergeant (RCSD Captain) Danny Brown

Thirty sixth-annual pre-Independence Day occasion attended by Gov. Henry McMaster and U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, USA, July 7, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — 4 SPECIAL HONOREES had been acknowledged for his or her “distinguished army service” during the Thirty sixth annual Carolina Celebration of Liberty held at Columbia’s First Baptist Church, Sunday, June 25. The honorees included two S.C. Military Nationwide Guard general-officers; a Richland County Sheriff’s Division (RCSD) captain who additionally serves within the Military Reserve; and a former U.S. Marine rifle-squad chief who later grew to become one of the nation’s prime counterterrorism consultants.
With bands enjoying, choirs and soloists singing, flags waving, indoor pyrotechnics (fireworks), and practically 6,000 cheering spectators complete in two performances, the Carolina Celebration of Liberty was billed because the state’s premier kick-off occasion for Independence Day and Independence Week celebrations throughout South Carolina. Led by the Rev. Steve Phillips, First Baptist’s minister of music, the musical manufacturing and particular recognitions had been identically choreographed in two reveals – one at 3:00 p.m., the second at 6:30 p.m. – which later aired on SCETV.
The primary honoree to be acknowledged was Colonel W. Thomas Smith Jr., a retired S.C. Army Division officer and previously deployed U.S. Marine rifle-squad (Infantry) chief. Smith is a New York Occasions bestselling editor and one of the nation’s premier army technical consultants and counterterrorism consultants.
The second honoree was U.S. Military Reserve 1st Sergeant Danny Brown, greatest generally known as Captain Danny Brown of the Richland County (S.C.) Sheriff’s Division and star of A&E’s hit tv sequence LIVE PD, which aired from 2016 till 2020; and Reelz’ at the moment airing sequence ON PATROL: LIVE.
The third honoree was Main Basic Jeff Jones, a two-star general-officer within the S.C. Military Nationwide Guard and the deputy adjutant normal of South Carolina.
The fourth honoree was Maj. Gen. Van McCarty, the twenty ninth adjutant normal of South Carolina. Because the state’s adjutant normal and as commanding normal of the S.C. Army Division, McCarty administers the affairs of the S.C. Military Nationwide Guard, the S.C. Air Nationwide Guard, the S.C. Emergency Administration Division, the S.C. State Guard, and the Youth Problem Academy.
WLTX-TV (CBS) anchor J.R. Berry served as grasp of ceremonies and emcee studying the 4 narrative biographical sketches chronicling the army careers of every honoree.
As an example, a portion of Berry’s narration of Smith’s profession reads: OUR FIRST HONOREE served within the fifth Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, as a rifle-squad chief. he was additionally a counterterrorism teacher, army parachutist, and bayonet teacher. he developed and directed shipboard coaching and techniques for nuclear safety, close-quarters fight, and counterterrorism. Deploying world wide as a Marine Infantry chief, he additionally served briefly with Marine Corps Intelligence. later serving on a SWAT crew within the nuclear trade, he was twice-named ‘honorman’ during tactical coaching evolutions. Commissioned into the S.C. army division, Smith directed the division’s first Counterterrorism Advisory Workforce. As a conflict correspondent he traveled to Bosnia, the Center east, and twice to Iraq during the conflict. At the moment, he’s a senior officer with the Nationwide Safety Job Pressure, S.C. Floodwater Fee; an expert author, a particular deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Division, and a New York Occasions bestselling editor. Girls and gents, Colonel W. Thomas Smith Jr.”
Attending the second present was Col. (Ret.) Steve Vitali, U.S. Marine Corps, who was by the way born on the 4th of July, 1954.
“That is the present of all reveals and the right first for 4th of July celebrations, performances, and fireworks shows which can start in earnest in lower than every week,” mentioned Vitali. “What Steve Phillips and his crew have completed with this manufacturing is nothing brief of phenomenal. And the truth that a fellow Marine and one of my greatest associates [Col. Smith] was acknowledged brings all of it residence to me personally.”
Following an deal with by the Governor and remarks by Congressman Wilson, the primary manufacturing launched into an hour-long celebration of America with patriotic music, dancing, performances by actors dressed as signers of the Declaration of Independence, a recognition of the 4 honorees, and throngs of flag-waving youngsters culminating with a fastidiously orchestrated indoor fireworks show.
From its web site, First Baptist Church thanked each its sponsors and “the 1000’s who attended the Thirty sixth Carolina Celebration of Liberty. We had been as soon as once more reminded that this nation was based upon Godly rules. It was additionally a beautiful alternative to thank those that have given a lot to protect and defend our freedom. Thanks to everybody who participated and helped in so some ways and thanks for attending.”
The Carolina Celebration of Liberty aired on SCETV all through Independence Week. For extra data, go to https://fbccola.com/celebrationofliberty/.
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Rajneesh Singh is a journalist at Asian News, specializing in entertainment, culture, international affairs, and financial technology. With a keen eye for the latest trends and developments, he delivers fresh, insightful perspectives to his audience. Rajneesh’s passion for storytelling and thorough reporting has established him as a trusted voice in the industry.