A Lowcountry native, on his 18th birthday – January 11, 1967 – he fulfilled his dream by joining the United States Marine Corps. On March 2, 1968 his 15-man patrol – operating under the call sign of “Texas Pete” - boarded a helicopter that would take them behind enemy lines in Vietnam to an observation post, known as “Hill 156”, to support a larger operation known as “Rock”.

On March 5, 1968 the North Vietnamese found their position and began their attacks. The Marines of “Texas Pete” fought valiantly, fending off repeated attacks by the much larger, platoon-sized enemy force. During one of their attacks, a grenade was tossed into the fighting hole occupied by Ralph and two other Marines. Understanding the importance of their position, Ralph did not hesitate to warn the other two Marines to get back, while throwing his body on the grenade to absorb the impact of the blast. Although he was killed instantly, his unselfish actions saved the lives of the entire patrol by keeping the perimeter intact. For his courageous actions, our nation bestowed on him its highest award for bravery in combat – The Medal of Honor.

In 1967 Arias was drafted into the Army at age 19. 11 months later, he was sent to Vietnam. As a member of the 25th Infantry Division, 2nd battalion, 12th infantry he spent most of his time at fire base Pershing. Over his military career, he earned 2 bronze medals, a combat infantryman badge, one Air Medal, and the Army commendation of Valor. He also received two Purple Hearts, including one for October 15, 1969 after being hit with a mortar that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Three years after being told he would never walk again he proved the doctors to be incorrect.

From 2000-2002 Arias' family opened up their home to RiverDogs players. During that time, Arias hosted Brandon Backe, Benito Gomez, Juan Rodriguez, and Iker Franco for 3 seasons. For the last 30 years Arias has called Charleston home.

Click here to view highlights of the induction from the July ceremony.

Brigadier General Thomas Mikolajcik became forever connected to the Charleston community when he served as 437th Airlift Wing commander at Charleston Air Force Base from 1991-1994. He graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1969 and became a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours of flying time. While in command in Charleston, he helped activate the first squadron of C-17s in 1993 and was the Air Force component commander in Somalia during Operation Restore Hope. He is a recipient of the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters.

He retired from military service in 1996 and passed away in 2010 after a courageous battle with ALS. Following his retirement, Gen. Mikolajcik dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of active and retired military members to ensure service-connected disability for those with ALS and similar diseases. He was also instrumental in keeping Charleston’s strong military presence by working hand-in-hand with local leaders to fight BRAC.

Chief William Tetrev, who was honored at a RiverDogs game earlier this season while receiving the Honor Ribbon, saved the life of another while risking his own during an accident earlier this year in the Charleston area. On March 15, 2021, Chief Tetrev’s Jeep was struck in the side by another vehicle traveling at high speeds, causing his Jeep to overturn three times. Without regard for his own life, Chief Tetrev exited the vehicle in the middle of the dark, busy intersection to remove his injured passenger, carrying her to safety and assessing her injuries.

Chief Tetrev was nominated for an appointment to the Merchant Marine Academy by Senators Tim Scott, Lindsay Graham, and Congressman Joe Cunningham. He is 1 of 280 appointees out of approximately 2,000 applicants.

Click here to view highlights of the induction from the May 2021 ceremony.

Master Sergeant Tom Crawford served honorably for 33 years on active duty and the Air Force Reserve. Commencing April-to-November 1973, while in support of the Vietnam War, Crawford served in Korat, Thailand. In 1990-91, Crawford was activated and served both in Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Daharan Air Base, Saudi Arabia with the 38th Aerial Port Squadron. In April 2002, Crawford was asked to be the NCOIC of the 315th Public Affairs office at Charleston Air Force Base. He retired from the Air Force Reserve in June 2008.

He continues to actively serve his country and community by promoting and supporting veterans’ interests and performing over 40 non-profit fundraising galas each year as a Benefit Auctioneer Specialist, raising upwards of $10 million annually. He is known throughout the Lowcountry as the host of Lowcountry Live on WCIV Channel 4 daily at 10:00 a.m.

Major Angie Powers, the first female inductee to the Hall of Honor, has served for over 28 years in the Army Reserve and is currently a Nurse Practitioner in the 7224th Medical Support Unit, Joint Base Charleston. She has multiple deployments that include an Urban Augmentation Medical Task Force supporting hospitals treating Covid patients, Combat deployment in Iraq in support of Operational Iraqi Freedom, and a Humanitarian deployment to El Salvador in support of Task Force New Hope.

She has received multiple awards, decorations and was recently inducted into the prestigious Order of Saint Maurice from the President of the National Infantry Association and the Chief of Infantry for her individual contributions to the Infantry during her combat deployment.

In her civilian career, she is full-time lead faculty at MUSC in the Doctor of Nursing practice program and Clinical Director of a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency.

Click here to view highlights of the induction from the August 2021 ceremony.

Will Grimsley graduated from Davidson College in North Carolina in May 1980 with a B.A. in History and was commissioned in the U.S. Army as an Infantry officer. Throughout the next 33 years he served in assignments throughout the United States, Germany, Korea, Kuwait, multiple combat tours in Iraq, and deployments to numerous other nations. Grimsley held command and leadership positions at every level from platoon through corps and served on staffs from small unit levels up to both the Joint Staff and in the Office of the Secretary of Defense; with his last tour as Chief of Staff of United States Strategic Command. Among his many awards and decorations, Grimsley earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, multiple awards of the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat.

He completed every level of officer education and training, and the Army also afforded him the opportunity to earn two Master’s Degrees; one in Advanced Military Arts and Sciences, and one in National Security Strategy. Grimsley also completed Executive Education at the University of North Carolina Business School and holds a Doctor of Education degree from Creighton University with a concentration in organizational leadership.

Retiring from active duty in 2013 as a Major General, Grimsley consulted in the private sector with his primary focus on training, leader development, strategic planning, and operations; and served as President and CEO of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation. On March 4, 2020 he was confirmed by a unanimous vote as the first Secretary of the new South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

He and his family live in Beaufort, SC.

Liuetenant Colonel Bill Walsh recently retired from the United States Air Force Reserve, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He served 23 total years in the United States Military.

Lt. Colonel Walsh served in operation Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and others, including missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Germany, South America and Asia as part of the 315th Airlift Wing. His U.S. Navy service included assignments on the U.S.S. George Washington and U.S.S. John F. Kennedy aircraft carriers and battle groups. He served his final four years with the United States Special Operations Command as one of the elite Para-Commandos.

Lt. Colonel Walsh's decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Air Force Meritorious Service Medals, Air Force Commendation Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Global War on Terror Medal among others.

Click here to view highlights of the induction from the May 2022 ceremony.

Master Sergeant Eddie Negrón served honorably for 25 years in the United States Army. When he retired from the Army, he was the Master Evaluator and Master Gunner for the Nation's missile defense system designed to protect the nation from incoming ICBMs. He is a Gulf War veteran where his unit was awarded the Valorous Unit Award, and the Meritorious Unit Award. He has been awarded two Meritorious Service Medals, five Army Commendation Medals, six Army Achievement Medals and the Army Senior Space Badge.

His service to the community since his retirement is equally impressive. For the past six years, he was the commander of the local Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association which serves local veterans in need. Their mission statement is Vets Helping Vets. Under his leadership they have been able to raise over $25,000 that has gone directly to assist local area veterans. During the past eight years, he has served on the Boeing Veteran Engagement Team in various capacities. He also uses his leadership skills to mentor the Oakbrook Middle School robotics team.

Colonel Marc E. Greene is the Commander of the 628th Air Base Wing and Joint Base Charleston, who will retire later this month after 22 years of service. As host to over 60 DoD and Federal agencies, the Wing – under Col. Greene’s leadership – provides installation support to a total force of over 70,000 Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, civilians, dependents, and retirees across four installations including Charleston AFB and Naval Weapons Station Charleston. As the commander, he is responsible for $7.5 billion in base property and capital assets and controls an annual budget exceeding $172 million.

Col. Greene was crucial to Joint Base Charleston playing an impressive and important role in the successful evacuation of 124,000 refugees and Americans from Afghanistan in August of last year.

Col. Greene is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours, who has earned countless awards and decoration, including the Legion of Merit. Col. Greene has been an incredible friend to the Charleston community during his time as commander of the Base.

Click here to view highlights of the induction from the July 2022 ceremony.

Major Ed Murphy enlisted in the U.S. Army at 17 years old and after graduating from the University of South Carolina he commissioned as a Second Lieutenant Armor Officer. After completing airborne and ranger school, he served as Company executive officer and battalion maintenance officer in the 82nd signal battalion. He completed his Masters in Military History at the Command and General Staff College. He then moved it Italy to become Deputy G-6 for the Southern European Task Force.

Murphy’s decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with one OLC, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star device, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NATO Medal, Master Parachutist Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

On April 6, 2005, a CH-47 Chinook carrying 18 passengers and crew members crashed in southeast Afghanistan killing all on board. Major Edward John Murphy, 509th Signal Battalion, deputy J6 for CJTF-76, was one of the brave Soldiers lost in that crash. To date, Ed is the only Army ROTC Graduate of the University of South Carolina to have been killed in the Line of Duty. He posthumously received the Bronze Star, Gold Wahatchee medal and a Gold Order of Mercury.

Murphy’s family – wife Barclay and two grown children – have been active in Tuesday’s Children and other groups to connect with and help others who have lost loved ones defending our country.

Colonel Gregory H. Kitchens retired from the Marine Corps Reserve in 2016. He is a 1984 graduate of The Citadel and a former Enlisted Marine. During his 36-year military career he deployed to combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, commanded Reserve units in Charleston and Puerto Rico, and was the Officer in Charge of the Marine Corps Reserve’s Marksmanship Training Unit and Shooting Teams. Among his military recognitions were the Justice Chambers Leadership Award, The Legion of Merit medal, and the Distinguished Pistol Badge for Marksmanship Excellence.

In addition to his service to the United States Marine Corps, Col Kitchens has lived and raised a family in Charleston SC. He has worked in construction, as an undercover narcotics agent, a private detective, a deputy sheriff for Charleston County, and a small a business owner in Mt Pleasant. He served his community as the President of the Patriots’ Point Foundation Board -proudly supporting our Maritime Museum- and as a member of the Vestry of the historic St Michael’s Church. He and his wife have long been involved in mentoring cadets from The Citadel. His hobbies include camping, fishing, hunting, and competitive marksmanship.

Colonel Kitchens is married to the former Allston Allison, who is a retired physician. They will soon celebrate their 31st year of marriage. They have two daughters. Elizabeth (28) teaches English in Dorchester County. Ellen (26) is a student at MUSC.

Click here to view highlights of the induction from the September 2022 ceremony.

Brooke Jackson Kahn is a Physician Assistant and a U.S. Army Combat Veteran. She started her career as an Active-Duty combat medic and now serves in the U.S. Army Reserves as a PA.

Brooke is the founder of “She’s the Veteran”, a female-only veteran community located in Charleston, South Carolina. Their mission is improving mental health through programmatic activities, while building a supportive community. Brooke has led the way by shining light on topics important to women currently serving, or having previously served, in the military.

Brooke has been selected to the South Carolina Women Veterans Leadership Board for the VA. The board is a think tank and advocates for important changes to women’s healthcare. She was chosen as a “Healthcare Hero 2022” for her work in the community and as a PA helping patients. Brooke was one of eight veterans chosen to be featured on the HISTORY Channel’s “Salute to Service”, which aired on nationally-syndicated TV in November 2022. Her published writings can be found on “PA Moms Blog,” and the “Veteran Semi-Professional” website.

She currently practices as a Neurosurgical PA at Roper St. Francis Hospital.

Col Judi Hughes retired from the U.S. Air Force after 27.5 years of active-duty service effective December 1, 2014. Immediately prior to retiring, she served as the Commander, 628th Medical Group, 628th Air Base Wing, Joint Base Charleston where she was responsible for the overall operation of medical services and medical readiness for the 628th Air Base Wing and 437th Airlift Wings, providing healthcare for approximately 62,000 eligible beneficiaries, managing 315 group personnel and an annual operating budget of $12 million. The 628th Medical Group is also a partner in the Lowcountry Federal Healthcare Alliance, one of only 11 DoD/VA Joint Venture sites in the United States.

Col Hughes is a graduated squadron commander and deputy group commander and has held positions at Air Staff, the Air Force Inspection Agency and in both inpatient and outpatient clinical arenas. Col Hughes graduated in 2006 from Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL and held a national certification in ambulatory care nursing for 10 years. She served as the Chief Nurse at the military trauma hospital in Afghanistan in 2010-2011.

Col Hughes was born and raised in Leominster, Massachusetts where her extensive family still resides. She entered the Air Force in July 1987 after completing her Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH. She is the proud mom of two young adult children and currently lives in Charleston.

After retiring from the military, she was employed as the Manager of the Joint Base Charleston Consignment Shop, tripling their sales revenue and allowing $30,000 to be put back into the military community through college scholarships and charitable donations. She has since served in several volunteer Board nominated positions including the Charleston Research Institute at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Hospital and the Palmetto Military Support Group nonprofit, where she operated as President from 2020-2022.

Click here to view highlights of the induction from the May 2023 ceremony.

Secretary Todd B. McCaffrey, a retired Major General of the U.S. Army is the first of this week's inductees. McCaffrey served in the U.S. Army for more than 34 years, completing his military career as the Chief of Staff of the United States Africa Command. Following military retirement, McCaffrey joined the University of South Carolina as the Director of Military Affairs where he assisted the University by integrating and expanding its portfolio of defense, and other national security related efforts.

Upon departing the University, he served as a consultant in the private sector to clients in defense-related industries, government, and academia and served on the board of directors for a South Carolina based Veteran's service organization. McCaffrey is also an Association of the U.S. Army Leadership Fellow, supporting efforts to educate, inspire, and connect leader development programs across the Army and its supporters. McCaffrey now serves as the Secretary of the South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs, which he was nominated by SC Governor Henry McMaster in February of 2023.

During his military career, General McCaffrey commanded units at all echelons through division-level and led both an infantry battalion and Stryker Brigade Combat Team in combat. As a Division Commander he gained a lasting respect for the service and sacrifice of our nation's citizen-Soldiers commanding a training support division. His other assignments include service as Chief of Staff to two 4-Star level commanders, and as the Deputy Commander at U.S. Army Pacific where he supervised Army operations across the Pacific.

General McCaffrey is a 1986 graduate of the United States Military Academy and holds Master-level degrees in economics from the Colorado School of Mines, and in national security studies from the U.S. Army War College. He has earned the Combat Infantry Badge, is a three-time recipient of the Army's Distinguished Service Medal and has been awarded the Bronze Star multiple times for meritorious service in combat.

Also being inducted is (Retired) Colonel Alex Pelbath of the U.S. Air Force. Pelbath is a retired C-17 Special Operations pilot with 22 years of service, attaining the rank of Colonel. Over his 22-year career he commanded multiple highly dynamic organizations and amassed over 4,000 hours flying multiple aircraft, including over 1,000 hours in combat. He served in the highest levels of the military and completed multiple deployments supporting nearly all major military operations since 2001.

In August of 2021, Alex was the Air Mission Commander for the final evacuation of military and civilian personnel in Kabul, Afghanistan. Responsible for all aircraft supporting the final mission, he piloted the last aircraft off the ground, ending the United States' 20-year mission in Afghanistan. Amongst his many military decorations, he is a recipient of the "Sully" Sullenberger Award for Courage and the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross.

Alex earned his BS degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy where he was a four-year Division I wrestler, and later earned an MBA with an emphasis in Strategic Leadership. He currently serves as a Managing Director for the elite Leadership Development firm Victory Strategies; as a spiritual and character development coach at Seacoast Church; and as a board member for the Low Country division of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Click here to view highlights of the induction from the Ju2023 ceremony.

Colonel Grant Izzi retired from the U.S. Air Force this year, following 38 years of active-duty service. Immediately prior to retiring, he served as the Commander, 437th Maintenance Group at Joint Base Charleston, where he was responsible for the maintenance, servicing and loading of 40 C-17 aircraft valued at $9 billion and the readiness of 1,600 military and civilian personnel.

Col. Izzi joined the Air Force in 1985 and was commissioned as an officer in June 1994. He has served in various wing-level aircraft maintenance and logistics leadership positions, ultimately earning his maintenance badge through experience on C-141, C-17, F-15C/E, C-5, KC-135 and C-130H/J aircraft, as well as munitions. He has received many major awards and decorations, including the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster.

During his 20 years of service, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Langevin deployed multiple times in support of SFOR, OEF, OIF, OND, in support of Joint Service and NATO combat support operations.

After six years as a civilian Flight Nurse, Paul started his carrier in the military as a nurse working in the Emergency Department at Scott AFB. He would go on to become a Flight Nurse, Flight Nurse Instructor and Flight Nurse Evaluator totaling over 720 hours of flight time, with 240 of those hours being in active combat zones.

Throughout his distinguished career, Paul was awarded (among others) the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters.

Currently, Paul continues to serve our nation's veterans as the Simulation Lab manager at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. He conducts simulation training for residents, fellows, nurses and technicians. Paul is also a key member of the hospital’s Medical Rapid Response and Code Blue Teams. He is an active member of Seacoast Church and its Men’s Hike Ministry.

Palmer, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, and a graduate of James Island High School, embarked on a distinguished military career following his graduation from The Citadel in 2005. Upon commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, he quickly found himself at the forefront of significant military operations.

In 2006, 2nd Lieutenant Palmer was deployed to Iraq, participating in the critical Battle for Ramadi, which had become the insurgency's stronghold after Fallujah's fall in 2004. During his year-long deployment, he served as a Combat Advisor with the Iraqi Army, conducting daily patrols and clearance operations. On Valentine's Day 2007, his patrol was struck by an IED, resulting in several killed and causing multiple casualties, including injuries to himself. For his acts of valor during this deployment, he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Army Commendation Medal with Valor.

Following his time in Ramadi, 1st Lieutenant Palmer was assigned as an Operations Officer with the G2 at the 2nd Marine Aviation Wing and redeployed to Iraq in 2008. Upon returning, Lieutenant Palmer was stationed at The Basic School in 2009, where, after being promoted to Captain, he led training for new Marine Corps officers. His responsibilities included serving as the lead instructor for Counterinsurgency and the Human Factors of Combat, as well as roles as a Staff Platoon Commander and Company Executive Officer.

Transitioning to civilian life, Phil faced challenges after being diagnosed with PTSD and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) upon his honorable discharge. Realizing that many veterans struggled with similar invisible wounds, Phil established WarriorWOD in June 2021. WarriorWOD emphasizes exercise, nutrition, and mentorship as crucial prescriptions for veterans' recovery from PTSD. It has profoundly impacted over 1,000 veterans, with 175 finding relief and healing through the program's mentorship and initiatives. In 2023, WarriorWOD achieved significant outcomes, including a 29% reduction in overall PTS symptom intensity among their 110 participants and the prevention of nine veteran suicides.

Retired Colonel John F. Robinson was the commander, 315th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, S.C. He commanded over 2,500 reserve personnel who augment the active-duty Air Force's strategic airlift, airdrop and aeromedical evacuation forces in both peacetime and contingency operations. These missions support combat operations and U.S.-sponsored humanitarian relief efforts.

Col. Robinson previously served as the commander of the 911th Airlift Wing, Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, where he led more than 1,200 Air Force Reserve members and approximately 300 civilian employees (including approximately 160 dual-status Air Reserve Technicians).

Col. Robinson is a graduate of Clemson University and commissioned through AFROTC. With 25 years of service, he was a member of the 17th Airlift Squadron, the first squadron of C-17s as the C-17 program was initially beginning. He has accumulated more than 6,500 hours in the C-17 and is an NVG Airdrop Evaluator. He has participated in many operations over the years including Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM, presidential support missions and humanitarian relief missions. As the Chief of Tactics, he participated in 2007 Airlift Rodeo. His team won best C-17 Airdrop Crew and Best Air Refueling Team. The relationship he developed with airborne users led to an invitation to attend the Army Basic Airborne course in Ft. Benning, Ga., at age 51. He completed the course with five T-11 parachute jumps.

Thompson graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1966 and served in the United States Army for 34 years. He commanded firing batteries in Fort Hood Texas, and in combat during the Vietnam War. He Then became an Army Transportation/logistics officer in 1972.

Following this, he earned an MBA from Syracuse University and graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College. He served four years in key financial management and logistics staff leader positions in the Army’s VII Corps. He then served in the Army Headquarters Staff in the Pentagon and commanded the Army Port Battalion in North Charleston, SC. Upon graduating from the Naval War College with a degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, he became the Staff Chief of logistics, 3rd Infantry Division, then Commander of the 37th Transportation Group supporting over 200,000 military members and their families. His command successfully deployed over 70,000 troops to and from Army Europe to combat during Operation Desert Storm.

He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1991 and was selected for command of the Army Military Traffic command. He completed his career as Deputy Commander of the United States transportation Command, providing peacetime and wartime surface movement and air mobility support for the Department of Defense.

He retired in 2000 and became the Vice President for Operations of the international non-profit Association of the U.S. Army. He also served for 5 years on the Board of Directors of Force Protection, Incorporated. He is a life member of the National Defense Transport Association, the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Association and the Association of the U.S. Army. He and his wife of 52 years, Inga Marie, now live in Mount Pleasant.

Dandridge is a Vietnam-era Wounded Warrior, a combat 100% Disabled veteran, an ex-Army Enlisted Infantryman, an ex-Warrant Officer Attack Helicopter Pilot, and a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. He served in the active US Army for 24 years and one month, receiving multiple awards including, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, German Silver Cross, the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, five Meritorious Service Medals, 15 Combat Air Medals, and two Army Writer’s Silver Quill Awards. He is also a retired Aerospace Industry Regional Manager and retired highly praised Police Officer.

Dandridge is a past hospice volunteer and he founded, and was the CEO and Board Chairman of, the most successful hospice in Missouri for ten years. Larry is the current Senior Writer and Editor with Tigers, Vikings, and Vipers Publishing, LLC, and a well-known SC advocate and volunteer for military members, veterans, their family members, survivors, and caregivers.

He now serves the SC Lowcountry as a State of SC-VA-American Legion Trained Past Volunteer Veterans Service Officer, the Association of the US Army Coastal SC Chapter VP for Veteran and Retiree Affairs, the Military Officers Association of America, Charleston Chapter VP for Veteran Affairs, a Patient Adviser at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, and a Patient and Family-Centered Care Instructor at the RHJVAMC VA hospital in Charleston, SC. He also writes a widely acclaimed weekly column for the Lowcountry ISLAND NEWS newspaper on veterans’ and military benefits, leadership, hospice, end-of-life planning, aeronautics, and what citizens should know about law enforcement. He and his wife, Judith Ann Dandridge, now enjoy spoiling their grandchildren and their greyhound.

Motivated by a profound patriotism and a desire to serve his country, Baker enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school. His service in Okinawa, Japan, shaped his lifelong commitment to community and leadership.

Upon returning, he attended The Citadel, graduating from the Veterans Program in 1972, and later pursued advanced studies at Harvard Business School. In 1988, he founded Baker Motor Company, which has grown to include multiple luxury automotive franchises and has been a vehicle for Tommy's extensive charitable work. In 2018, Mr. Baker founded Beacon Community Bank, a privately held community bank in the Charleston area, emphasizing local, personalized financial services, and serves as Chairman of the Board. He has also founded several nonprofit organizations in the local community.

Baker has been embedded in Charleston's philanthropic and educational landscapes. He has served as past chair of the MUSC Children’s Hospital. He taught entrepreneurship for 22 years at the College of Charleston School of Business, where he also serves on the Board of Governors. In recognition of his and his wife Victoria’s philanthropy and service, the couple were the inaugural inductees into the business school’s Wall of Honor in 2011. The Tommy & Victoria Baker School of Business, founded at The Citadel in 2002, stands as a testament to their commitment to education.

He enjoys a fulfilling life on Sullivan’s Island with Vickie, his wife of 40 years. They now cherish moments with their three children and four grandchildren.

Williams is originally from Port Huron, Michigan. He served in the Marine Corps for 32 years from 1989 to 2021 commanding at every level from platoon to regimental command. His final post was as the Chief of Staff for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. He retired to Summerville, SC and now serves as the Director of the SC Veterans Business Outreach Center at The Tommy & Victoria Baker School of Business at The Citadel, assisting Veterans and their Spouses who want to start or grow a business.

He also serves on the Board of Directors of the nonprofit organization “Impact Charleston”, founded by Mr. Tommy Baker and Medal of Honor Recipient Major Gen. James E. Livingston, USMC (Ret.) representing veteran issues to reduce gun violence and foster economic vibrancy in the Charleston Tri-County Area. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Vantage Point Foundation, providing mental wellness education and opportunities for veterans throughout South Carolina. His wife, Linda, and he have two children who also live in the Charleston area.