Medal of Honor recipients to headline Mullikin Law Carolina Cup 2017
January 9, 2017
Military heroes will participate in historic “staff ride” on eve of the race
CAMDEN, S.C. – Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), and LT Michael E. Thornton, U.S. Navy SEALs (Ret.) – both recipients of the MEDAL OF HONOR, the nation’s highest award for combat valor – will be among the VIP guests at this year’s Mullikin Law Carolina Cup, Sat. Apr. 1 at the famed Springdale Race Course in Camden. Both men also will participate in a military “staff ride” to the various military historic sites throughout Camden on the eve of the Cup (morning of Mar. 31).
“This is a tremendous honor for all South Carolinians as we celebrate these men, our state’s rich military history and one of the most prestigious steeplechase races in the world, all of which are connected,” says Maj. Gen. Thomas S. Mullikin, commander of the S.C. State Guard and pres. and principal partner of the Mullikin Law Firm, the named-sponsor of the Mullikin Law Carolina Cup 2017.
[Picture L-R are Livingston and Thornton ]
Thornton – who received the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary actions in which he saved the lives of his commander Tom Norris (who also received the Medal for another action) and a South Vietnamese SEAL during an intelligence-gathering operation deep behind enemy lines on Oct. 31, 1972 – said, “We are truly looking forward to spending time with our friend Maj. Gen. Tom Mullikin and his family at this year’s Mullikin Law Carolina Cup. It’s not only going to be a great weekend with various events and activities surrounding this historic annual steeplechase race, but it will be an opportunity to be back in my home state with the people of South Carolina my wife and I so dearly love.”
Friday’s staff ride, which will be attended and led by military historians and other distinguished military guests (in addition to the Medal of Honor recipients) is being billed as the “Medal of Honor Staff Ride.”
The Springdale Race Course, located on the outskirts of the city at 200 Knights Hill Road in Camden, is also home to the National Steeplechase Museum. The race itself holds the National Steeplechase Association’s attendance record of 71,000 people, both spectators and participants.
[For additional information, please phone 803-425-7771.]
