Sumter County Veterans Association to conduct Veteran's Day ceremony Published Nov. 2, 2011 By Sumter County Veterans Association 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Sumter, S.C. -- The Sumter County Veterans Association will conduct it's annual outdoor Veterans Day ceremony at the Sumter County Courthouse on Friday, November 11, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Sumter Opera House on Main Street. Master of Ceremonies will be USAF (Ret.) Col. David T. "Bush" Hanson. Colonel Hanson, is an Air Force Academy graduate, class of 1973. During his Air Force career he flew over 4000 hours in the T-38, O-2, F-4 and F-16 aircraft. He also held a variety of staff assignments throughout the USA as well as Germany, Japan and Korea. He retired from the Air Force in 2000 after 27 years of service. He is currently employed by Boeing Aerospace Operations at Shaw AFB as an F-16 simulator instructor. He is presently the President of the Sumter Swamp Fox Chapter of the Air Force Association. He also has served as president of the South Carolina Air Force Association. He is married to the former Nancy McElveen of Sumter and they have two adult children. The ceremony will begin at 11:00 A.M. preceded by the ringing of patriotic bell chimes from First Presbyterian Church at the corner of Main and West Calhoun Streets. The program will include: Invocation - Larry Huff, Knights of Columbus Presentation of the Colors - Lakewood High School Air Force Junior ROTC cadets National Anthem - Sung by Staff Sergeant Courtney Slater, Shaw Air Force Base Pledge of Allegiance Led by Colonel Hanson Recognition of special guests to include Dr. Leroy Bowman. Dr. Bowman is one of the original famousTuskegee Airmen from World War II. Like other WW II veterans, Tuskegee airmen are slowly fading away. A native of Sumter, Dr. Bowman attended Morris College, graduated in 1940, and joined the Army Air Corps in September 1941. After training, he fought extensively over Italy and Germany, flying 36 successful combat missions in the P-51 against the German Luftwaffe, while escorting American Bombers to and from their targets. The Tuskegee aircraft were identified by their red tail flashing, and the "Red Tails" were the only Fighter Group credited with never losing a Bomber to enemy aircraft. And, as a matter of special note, historians agree that the Tuskegee airmen paved the way for desegregation and equality within the military. After retirement in 1968, Dr Bowman began working in education, eventually moving to Assistant Superintendent of the Long Island, N.Y. Union Free School District No. 9. Along with 300 fellow Tuskegee Airmen, Dr. Bowman was presented the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal in March 29, 2007. This is the highest honor that Congress bestows on civilians. Veterans Day Proclamation - Read by Sumter Mayor Joseph T. McElveen Jr. Keynote Speaker - Brigadier General Hugh C. Cameron, USAF (Ret). (Air Force Resume and photo attached) POW/MIA Tribute - Colonel Hanson Veterans Day remarks from U. S. Congressman Mick Mulvaney (South Carolina Fifth District). Placing of the Veterans Day Memorial Wreath - Guy Chapura, Knights of Columbus, Steve Ikeda, Elks Club. 21 Gun Salute - Shaw Air Force Base Honor Guard TAPS - Bugler Paul Jennings Music following Taps: "God Bless America" (Sing-a-long) led by Staff Sergeant Slater and the playing of the recording "God Bless The USA" sung by Lee Greenwood. For more information contact Stan Schaetzle at 803-775-4437.