Celebration of Liberty honors Lott, others

By W. Thomas Smith Jr.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Richland County Sheriff and S.C. State Guard (SCSG) commander Leon Lott was recognized for his law enforcement and military service during both shows of THE CAROLINA CELEBRATION OF LIBERTY held Sunday afternoon and evening, June 30, at Columbia’s First Baptist Church. The event – attended by S.C. Governor Henry McMaster, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson and a host of other dignitaries and senior military leaders – was emceed by retired WIS-TV personality Joe Pinner and directed by the Rev. Steve Phillips, associate pastor and music minister at First Baptist Church.

“This recognition was a tremendous honor both for myself and my family, and for the men and women of the Richland County Sheriff’s Dept, the S.C. State Guard, and frankly the entire military community and military veterans’ communities throughout the Midlands and across the state,” says Lott, who as SCSG commander holds the rank of brigadier general. “South Carolina is a very military friendly state. We’re home to a lot of key military bases. Consequently, we have a lot of military retirees and veterans who call South Carolina home. And so what makes this annual event so special is that it pays tribute to all of these veterans, their specific branches of service, and the periods in which they served.”

Others recognized included Col. Melinda S. Woodhurst, Sgt. Larry Smalls, Chief Warrant Officer Harold Dalton “Buster” Hatcher, Command Sgt. Maj. Carl M. Lopez, Staff Sgt. Dick Schneider, and Sgt. Lonnie Hosey, today a state representative from Barnwell County.

Recognizing Lott, Pinner said, “[He is] one of the most creatively innovative, bridge-building law enforcement leaders in the nation, even internationally.”

A large contingent from the Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. was also in attendance and formally recognized.

Music was provided by the First Baptist Church sanctuary choir and orchestra and the 282nd Army Victory Band from Fort Jackson with a variety of vocalists, dance troupe performers, and others.

The 32nd annual Carolina Celebration of Liberty is the longest-running patriotic event of its kind, statewide. And with a two-show combined audience of nearly 7,000, the event is also one of the largest. The show will be broadcast on July 4 at 7:00 p.m. on SCETV and on various other stations across the state through July 7.

[Sheriff Lott is pictured with youngest daughter McKenzie, June 30.]

– For more information, visit http://fbccola.com/celebrationofliberty/.