History

                History of the Foothills Chapter #301of SC

                           Korean War Veterans Association, Inc

ORGANIZATION

In the Spring of 2004 Lew Perry, a member of the National KWVA, contacted Pat Sullivan, President of the Low Country Chapter #185, South Carolina's first chapter, about the possibility of forming a local KWVA chapter in the area of Greenville, SC.

On July 17, 2004 Pat Sullivan sent a packet of information outlining the requirements necessary for establishing a new chapter and a list of National KWVA members in the Greenville area.

All, of the National members in the area were contacted to see how many would be interested and would support a local chapter. Most all contacted were in agreement and willing to sign on.

After considerable time was spent, trying a locate a suitable place to meet, the branch library was selected because there was no cost  to library members for the use of the meeting room, With letters to all prospective members and notice in the local newspapers, the first meeting was scheduled for November 21, 2004.

Nine (9) persons attended the first meeting called an informational meeting with our sponsor Pat Sullivan outlining the requirements for starting a new chapter.

The procedure for establishing a local chapter required obtaining the signatures of 12 regular members with four (4) or five (5) willing to serve as officers, on a petition, for a new chapter to be sent to KWVA headquarters.

When the twelve (12) signatures were on the petition Lew called an organizational meeting to elect officers and complete the petition.

The second meeting was attended by sixteen (16) including wives and associate members.

Officers elected were; Lew Perry, President - Francis Thompson, First Vice President - Larry Johnson Second Vice President - Marcielle Peterson Day, Secretary-Treasurer. Other officers appointed were, Lee Ayers, Historian - Ex-POW Frank Tooley, MIA/POW Officer - John "Tommy" James, Chaplain.

The completed petition for a charter was mailed to sponsor Pat Sullivan who in turn forwarded the petition to the National Membership Chairman on January 18, 2005 for assignment of a chapter number.

 Since establishing a new chapter also requires having a set of ByLaws . a draft was prepared by Lew Perry and distributed to the other elected officers for approval. A copy was then forwrded to Pat Sullivan January 28, 2005.

The February meeting was a luncheon with the wives invited, held at the Ryans Steakhouse on Woodruff Rd. To thank the ladies for their support a single red rose was presented to each one. Twenty six (26) persons were in attendance.

Our sponsor, Pat Sullivan, brought Clyde Hooks, KWVA State department secretary from Aiken, SC with him to install our officers. Present were; President, Lew Perry, 1st vice President, Francis Thompson, Sec/Treasurer Marceille Peterson Day. and MIA/POW officer Frank Tooley.

The Charter was received by mail from Pat Sullivan on February 28, 2005 with the Chapter #301 assigned.

The certificate of incorporation as a Non Profit Corporation was received from the South Carolina Secretary of State, Mark Hammond.

HISTORY

The Foothills Chapter of SC #301 continued to meet monthly. The regular meeting in June each year is considered the annual meeting when new officers are elected.

Throughout the year Chapter members seek opportunities to go into local schools to tell the Korean Story as part of the National Tell America program.

Each year the Chapter donates to other organizations such as Fisher House, Blue Star Mothers, Warrior Solutions and the Greybeards magazine.

In November 2010 it was suggested by charter member Dean Howell that the chapter should consider building a Korean War Memorial in Greenville. President Jerry Kunz accepted the idea on a motion. He appointed Lew Perry committee chairman and volunteers Dean Howell, Billy Rogers and Bob Bostwick to the committee. Billy Rogers resigned due to health problems and Lew appointed Jerry Lunsfornd to fill the vacancy.

The committee's objectives were:

1 select a memorial design. Chosen was the one found in the Graybeards magazine by Chapter 137 Mahoning Valley, Youngstown, OH. Permission was requested and granted by Chapter 137 to use a picture of their memorial  as a facsimilie of our plans.

2 the next objective was to secure a proper location, preferably a public park with public maintenance.

On June 25, 2012 the Greenville Rec Dept. announced that the newly redeveloped Conestee Park would be the home of the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

3 Fund raising.

Donations were first sought from chapter members, families and friends by mail, email and by selling engraved bricks. In October 2011 the first public fundraiser was held at Sams Club with others to follow. Sucessfull fundraisers were held Dec 1-2, 2011and Dec 2012 at Holiday Fair. In 2012 fundraisers were also held at the SCACA gun Shows held in the TD Convention Center. In june 2012 a gift of $2500 was received from Lockeed Martin Corp.

Fund raising continued through 2012 and by January 2013 funds for the Monument, the honors Walkway and the flag poles had been raised.

Gillespie Marble and Granite of Greenville was chosen to provide the all Granite Memorial. Dan Shook, Century Co. Landscaping to do the Honors Walkway and Bill Siedel, American Flag Co. for the flag poles. Special thanks to Wayne Davis for furnishing the lights needed to illuminate the flags on the Memorial. And thanks to Dave Clyborn NCE Electric for installation of the lights at no cost.

The ground breaking was held on March 23rd with a good crowd of members and friends from the community on hand. Publicity was exceptional from Chanel 4 Greenville and Chanel 7 Spartanburg as well as articles in several local newspapers.

On April 16, 2013 the all granite monument was delivered from Elberton GA and installed in Conestee Park.

In May the Honors Walkway of 400 paver bricks was installed.

Dedication was held at 11am June 1, 2013 . A crowd of more than 400 members, friends and other veterans attended. Speakers included Foothills Past President Lewis Langley. George Blevins, Greenville County Veterans Affairs Officer and Don Shuman, Greenville County Recreation Dept. The program also included the JROTC Patriot Brigade Honor Guard and Drill Team from J.L. Mann HS.

Music was provided by the Upstate Senior Concert Band. The Greenville Patriot Riders provided a flag line around the Monument. Light refreshments were served in the pavilion.

Response was great with numerous calls for brick applications. Following the dedication more than 75 new bricks were sold and installed.

Members participated in Veterans Day activities November 10,11,12, 2013 at the Upcountry Museum, County Square and GHS.

To compliment our senior members and friends a directory was installed at the Memorial site with alphabetized lists to show where each brick is located. Newspaper coverage prompted several calls for brick forms.

Regular monthly meetings, under President Eddie Wooten, were being well attended and membership has increased to 59 as of December 2013.

On April 22, 2014 several members of our chapter were included on the Upstate Honor Flight to Washington, DC.

Chapter members participated in the Greenville Armed Forces parade May 17, 2014 and the Memorial Day program at County Square May 26, 2014

A Memorial service was also held at our Memorial in Conestee Park May 26, 2014, Planned by President Eddie Wooten. A good crowd of members and guests attended.

At the regular meeting of June 2014 election of officers was held with the following elected:

Eddie Wooten, President, Bob Bostwick, 1st VP, James Stoval, 2nd VP, Larry Salley, Sec/Treasurer.

Larry Salley resigned and Cynthia Perry was appointed Secretary By President Wooten. Mrs Jackiei Forbes volunteered to serve as Treasurer . Former secretary Nell Thompson agreed to continue as back up for Cindy Perry.

Tommy James remains as Chaplain, Frank Tooley, MIA/POW officer, Lew Perry, Historian.

July 27, 2014 the chapter held it's annual Korean Community Friendship luncheon at the Taylors Baptist Church Community Center.

Early in 2014 it was suggested by chapter member James Hunt that the chapter should seek to have Hwy 385 named for Korean War veterans. President Wooten asked chapter member Lewis Vaughn, former State Senator to look into the possibility. The Foothills Chapter of SC #301 would sponsor the project and seek to raise the necessary cost of $200.00 dollars for each of the signs since SC DMV does not furnish signs like these. After discussion with local representatives it was decided to name a section of Hwy 385 for all veterans. After several months the Greenville delegation presented a resolution HR4802 to name a 12 mile section of 385 to include all prior wars to be named the " The Veterans Corridor of Honor" with individual signs every 2.5 miles in both directions to include WW1, WW11, the Korean War, The Vietnam War, Presion Gulf War and undeclared Wars. Signs were installed and a dedicaion program was held on September 5, 2014 at the Railhouse Resturant in Fountain Inn, SC. Congressman Trey Gowdy was the featured speaker.

At the regular meeting on October 11, 2014 the Chapter voted to elect John Thomas "Tommy" James, Chaplain Emeritus. John Carson was appointed acting Chaplain.

Membership has grown from it's origin of 16 Charter members in 2005 to a total of 80 members. Eight members have been deceased. Total active members as of January 8, 2015 is Sixty Nine.

The Korean War Veterans Memorial in Conestee Park is being maintained by the Memorial Committee, replacing flags, selling and installing new bricks and updating the directory. As of January 8, 2015 the Honors Walkway consists of 220 engraved memory bricks.

March 21, 2015 Several Chapter members attended the funeral service for PFC John Russell killed in action in Korea July 1951. Remains were identified and returned to his family and home.

At the regular meeting of June 11, 2015 elections were held and the following were elected: Tom Comshaw, President; Jerry lunsford 1st VP; Glenn Walls 2nd VP; Larry Salley, Sec/Treasurer. Appointed were John Carsonn, Chaplain; Frank tooley, POW/MIA officer; Cindy Perry, Assist Secretary, Lew Perry, Historian.

May 27, 2015 Memorial service was held at our Memorial in Conestee Park after the morning service at County Square.

January 14, 2016 Katie Womble,from the Upcountry Museum was the speaker encouraging members to take part in the Audio library of the Museum.

April 21, 2016 Chapter members  traveled to Union, SC to participate in the Funeral Service for

PFC Aubrey Dean Vaughn, Killed in action in Korea July 1951. His remains were identified and returned to his family and buried near his parents in the Greenville Memorial Gardens.

May 2016 members attended the Memorial service at County Square followed by a service at our Memorial in Conestee Park

June meeting 2016 no changes in election. All officers continue to 2017.

At the regular meeting of September 2016 several members received the Korean Ambassador Peace medal.

Veterans Day 2016 President Tom Comshaw presented a Tell America program at Northeast Middle School. Lew Perry was the keynote speaker at the Woodmont High School, Piedmont, SC.

At the regular meeting in November 2016 the Wall Of Remembrance was first introduced to the chapter by Lewis Vaughn.

November 16, 2016 chapter members were invited to a photo shoot at the Greer homeless shelter.

January 12, 2017 the Foothills Chapter voted to make the Wall of Remembrance a fund raising committee with Lewis Vaughn as Chairman, Having previously raised $20,000 dollars to cover the cost of engraving the names of those who were KIA from Greenville County the committee proceeded to help other KWVA Chapters across the state with a goal of $ 200,000 dollars.

February 9, 2017 regular meeting students from Riverside HS attended the Chapter meeting to learn more about the Wall of Remembrance which they planned to support.

On February 16, 2017, several chapter members visited Riverside HS.

At the regular meeting March 9, 2017, Lew Perry explained a new rule change by KWVA  National  making it possible to elect a Secretary and a Treasurer from the list of Associate members. Cindy Perry was elected Secretary and Jackie Forbes elected Treasurer.

June 10, 2017 Election of officers were: Conrad Nowak, Pres; Perry Cox, 1st VP; Lew Perry, 2nd VP

Cynthia Perry, Sec-Treas. Appointed new was Ulisch Gavance, Sergant at arms; continuing appointments included Frank Tooley, POW/MIA Officer; Capers Sullivan, Chaplain; Lew Perry, Historian.

July 22, 2017 the annual Korean Friendship luncheon was held at Taylors Baptist Church, with

approx 80 members present.

October 13, 2017 installation of officers were Conrad Nowak, Pres.; Lew Perry 1st VP, Jerry Lundsford 2nd VP, Cynthia Perry, Sec/Treas. Perry Cox had resigned.

November 12, 2017 several members of the chapter participated in the Upstate Salute at flour Field.

as part of fund raising for the Wall of Remembrance.

June 15, 2018 The Chapter hosted a visit by Ms Hannah Kim a Korean Veterans advocate.

Ms Kim was on a journey to visit the Koren War memorials in every state and each Country that participated in the Korean War.

June 13, 2019 election of officers for 2019-2020, included: Lew Perry, President:  Jerry Lunsford 1st VP: Eulish Gavance, 2nd VP: Cindy Perry, Sec/Treas: Appointments by the new President included

Membership Chairman: Jerry Lunsford, By-Lays Chairman: James Hunt, MIA-POW Officer: Frank Tooley, Chaplain: Capers Sullivan, Sargent at arms, Ulish Gavance, Quartermaster: Leslie Fisk, Historian: Nell Thompson.

On July 21, 2018 the Chapter members enjoyed a pitch in Family Style picnic at Conestee Park.

July 24, 2019 a fund raiser for the WOR  was held at the Texas Roadhouse, Taylors for a percentage of evening receipts.

August 2019, members attended the Greer Freedom blast to promote the WOR

September 8, 2019 a fund raising service for the WOR was held by Chaplain Rev. Capers Sullivan at his Church.

November 2nd and 9th fund raising for the WOR was held at Wall Mart in Greer.

The regular meeting for March was held at the Golden Corral, however Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the Golden Corral was closed and the regular meetings for  April, May and June 2020 were held in the open air in the Pavilion at Conestee Park. 

The annual Chapter pitch in picnic planned for July was also cancelled due to the Covid-19

 The election of officers was posponed from June until August. Officers elected were Ulish

Givavnce, President, Jerry Lundsford 1st VP, Lew Perry 2nd VP, Cynthia Perry Sec/Treas.

Caper Sullivan agreed to continue as Chaplain, and Nell Thompson as Historian. Conrad 

Nowak was appointed Sergent at arms.

The August and September meetings were held at Conestee but the cooler weather meant  

canceling meetings in October and November.  

The kind friends of the Korean Methodist Church in Greer offered their fellowship hall for

 us to meet and we enjoyed that facility for our regular meetings of December, January and February. 

Then regular meeting on March 8,2021 was back at the Golden corral with 19 members returning.    The nominating committee was appointed, plans were set for a Memorial Day Service at Conestee Park Monday May 31,2021 and plans were discussed for the Chapter family style pitch in picnic to be held in Conestee Park July 10/2021.

Ground Breaking for the WOR was held Friday May 21/2021 with U TUBE broadcast available

 for all to watch.

June 10,2021 election of officers. President Ulish Gavance was reelected, Lew Perry was elected   

1st VP< Tom Comshaw was elected 2nd VP. Chaplain Capers Sullivan was reappointed and Conrad Nowack was reappointed Sergant at arms.

Several members attended the commital service at M.J. Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery for the remains of William "Billy" McCollum's (KIA) November 1950, returned from Korea 2018.