Veterans present park photo to Sumter County Council

Members of the Sumter County Veterans Association Tuesday evening presented Sumter County Council with a framed photograph of the Memorial Day groundbreaking ceremony for the new Sumter Veterans Park.

Sumter County Veterans Affairs Director Valerie Brunson introduced the members present at Tuesday’s regular County Council meeting: Harry Bishop, Ed Slocum, Harry Bausman, Johnny Goodlee, Leroy Peeples, Harry Thompson and Fred Moore.

Bishop told council members they were present for one purpose, to once again say thanks for council’s hard work in helping to bring about the new park. Slated to be complete by year’s end, the park will feature flags representing all the service branches and a replica P-51 Mustang.

Bishop said diagrams of the park indicate it will be “an everlasting symbol” of the courage and actions of veterans from Sumter County and from South Carolina, and will honor their families as well. It will be seen from the highway, he said, and provide a place to walk through and possibly meditate.

The park will honor veterans past, present and future while also providing a “welcome home site,” for veterans passing through Sumter County, he said. Efforts to get the park established began 11 years ago, he noted, and during the groundbreaking it was noted that it was a long wait, but truly worthwhile.

The support of Sumter County Government, Sumter County Council, The City of Sumter and Shaw Air Force Base made the park a reality, he said.

Sumter County Council Chairman James T. McCain Jr. then asked the veterans present to join him for a photo before asking fellow council members to join in a photo as well.

McCain then thanked the veterans for their service to our country and thanked them for the presentation.