On behalf of the 87 golfers that participated in the 31st Annual Educator’s Veteran’s Day Golf Tournament held at the Newberry Country Club of Newberry on Veteran’s Day, we would like to say a very special thank you to the merchants and residents of Newberry for supporting our event.

A very special thank you goes to Stokes-Trainor Dealership and Hedgepath Outdoor Power Equipment. As always, the staff at the Country Club of Newberry provided great service and outstanding weather.

The purpose of this tournament is to recognize the service to our nation by our veterans. For the last 18 years, proceeds from this tournament have been donated to veterans and military related activities or to relief efforts after natural disasters. In the past, donations have been made to the USO in Columbia, World War II Memorial, the D-Day Memorial, the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation, Honor Flight, Blue Star Mothers, various America Red Cross Chapters and local veterans memorials.

This year, a new tradition has started. The tournament committee decided to recognize an area veteran for his or her service to our nation.

Our first honoree is Gordon Stuart Leslie Jr. Mr. Leslie was born on Dec. 8, 1924. He served in the US Navy from May 28, 1943 to Dec. 31, 1945.

He served on the USS Whitehurst that had a crew of two officers and 189 men. A Japanese suicide bomber hit the ship on April 12, 1945, killing 42 crew members and wounding more than 40. Mr. Leslie received shrapnel wounds to his left arm. He went on to graduate from Clemson College in 1949 with a degree in civil engineering.

Mr. Leslie is a member of First Baptist Church in Newberry and the Exchange Club of Newberry.

We would like to encourage anyone reading this editorial to consider making a donation to help our veterans or current members of the armed forces. For more information about the Columbia Chapter of the USO, please call 803-822-7953. Our military will appreciate your support.

David B. Stout

Chapin

Tournament Director

Paul T. Rawl

Lexington

Tournament Founder