North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
On Sunday, Jan. 27, the men and women of VFW Post 10804 and its Auxiliary honored “The Best of the Best” in Horry County for the 27th year in a row at a luncheon and awards ceremony held at Post 10804 in Little River.
The event was attended by 110 people that included the award winners, family, guests and VFW and Auxiliary members. Everyone was treated to a free lunch provided by Post 10804.
After a welcome by Post Commander Nick Camera, an invocation by Post Chaplain Bob Wasden and everyone repeating the Pledge of Allegiance, master of ceremonies Frank Fogner welcomed everyone and explained the purpose of the awards. He then introduced the 2018 award winners as Post Commander Camera read each nominating package. They are: Horry County Firefighter – Captain Autumn Wagner; Horry County Police Officer – Officer Jodi Ridgeway; North Myrtle Beach Fire/Rescue – Jason Edge; North Myrtle Beach Law Enforcement – William McLeod; Voice of Democracy Grades 9 – 12 – Zachariah M. Smith, Atheneum School; Patriots Pen Grades 6 – 8 – Victoria Freeman, North Myrtle Beach Middle School; and Patriots Pen Grades 6 – 8 – Riley M. Vincent, North Myrtle Beach Middle School.
Each of the award winning Patriots Pen and Voice of Democracy winners read their essays to the audience and each received a rousing ovation.
VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award – Eric Fry, Horry County Academy for Technology and Academics in Conway.
Special presentations were made to North Myrtle Beach Girl Scout Troop 91 leaders Jamie Bandari and Lisa Maggio for their outstanding leadership. Their troop sold 1,013 boxes of cookies which were all donated to the men and women serving on the U.S. Navy ship New York which was partially built from steel from the World Trade center buildings destroyed in the 9-11-2001 attacks. Their efforts earned them nationwide news coverage.
Special Citizen Education Awards were also presented to North Myrtle Beach Middle School teachers Shane McMahon and Brooke Ward-Powers and Atheneum School Teacher Jennifer Cormack for their support of the VFW’s National Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen programs.
Post 10804 also recognized honored guests Bill Jagoe, Bob Jefferson and Roy Hill. All three are World War II veterans.
Post 10804 wants to thank everyone who attended and made this event such a success.
Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Jim Risser for their hard work in promoting the Teacher, Patriots Pen and Voice of Democracy programs throughout the schools and home-schooled programs of Horry County.
Special thanks to the Post Auxiliary for providing a fantastic lunch which was enjoyed by all.
