9-11 Caring Carolina

Military Changes

A Personal Connection

Ganci Air Base in Kyrgyzstan e-mailed to us by Mr. Veverica

    Steve Veverica is from South Carolina and is stationed in Kyrgyzstan, a Russian country between Tajikistan and China.  He has three sons, and one attends our school, Leslie M. Stover in Elgin, S.C. Mr. Veverica is helping to build the “Ganci Air Base” that is named after Peter J. Ganci who was a New York Fire chief.  Mr. Ganci gave his life while saving the lives of his men.  Mr. Veverica played his trumpet for a flag folding ceremony that was taped for a later broadcast.  The flag will be presented to Mrs. Peter J. Ganci in New York City in the near future.  Mr. Veverica said "I was very honored to be able to play taps for SOMEONE that died in the tragedy.  The ceremony was very moving as we all recall the 11th of September." 

Flag folding Ceremony in Kyrgyzstan

Mr. Veverica playing taps in honor of New York Fire Chief Peter Ganci 

    We plan to set up a tele-conference so Mr. Vevercia and his son at our school can talk.  His unit is supporting a multi-national Armed Forces mission to provide services for the Operation Enduring Freedom mission.  He is in the communications squadron with a big satellite dish outside the tent.  His group setup the whole base infrastructure to be able to communicate with the world.  All of us thank him for the sacrifices he is making to protect us and our freedom.  He has sent several digital pictures along with the Ganci Gazette.   The Ganci Gazette is published weekly.  Due to website restrictions, we cannot publish any video of our communications with Mr. Veverica, but please check our school site at http://www.kershaw.k12.sc.us/sto for updates from Mr. Veverica in Krgyzstan. 

    Many have never realized the importance and impact of the military in South Carolina until now. We should all be proud of the military support our state has already provided.  Some examples are:

      j                  South Carolina airmen flying F-16 fighter jets from McEntire Air National Guard base

j                  Shaw Air Force jets deployed and flying “Operational Readiness Exercises”

j                  Fighter jets from Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station launched in “Operation  Infinite Justice”

j                  C-17 crews from Charleston deliver 2,000,000 parcels

j                  Pentagon activates companies of the South Carolina Army National Guard like Company A and B of the 1^st Battalion, 118^th Infantry from Monks Corner and Summerville  and 263^rd Air Defense Artillary Battalion in Anderson

j                  National Guard takes posts at the State’s six commercial airports

j                  Fort Jackson increases security and training

    The draft ended in 1973 when Jimmy Carter was president. The White House has said there is no consideration of reinstating the draft. Since states like South Carolina are so active with helping fight the war on terrorism, for now the draft is not needed.