City of North Charleston Donates 500 POPS! Tickets to Lowcountry Military Families

City of North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey announced today that 500 tickets are being donated to local active and retired military members and their families for the North Charleston POPS! “Military Salute” concert on Saturday, November 2 at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. Representatives from the Charleston County Veterans Affairs Office were on hand to accept the donation from Mayor Summey and North Charleston POPS! Manager, Tacy Edwards.

The North Charleston POPS! “Military Salute” concert features Las Vegas artist Steve Lippia who will join forces with the POPS! to honor our enlisted troops, past and present, in an evening of foot-stomping, tear-jerking music sure to ramp up your patriotic fever. The concert will also include Sousa marches, a moving pictorial military tribute sure to bring a tug to your heart, a surprise guest narrator and a hall full of buglers attempting to break a Guinness world record. In addition, Lippia will sing the biggest hits of Frank Sinatra such as The Lady Is a Tramp, My Way, All of Me and Send in the Clowns. The show is sponsored by the Bank of South Carolina.

“It’s our hope that these tickets for Saturday night’s North Charleston POPS! “Military Salute” will provide our local military and their families with a wonderful evening of music, but also a reminder of how much we appreciate their sacrifices for our community and our country”, said Mayor Summey.

North Charleston POPS! Manager Tacy Edwards added, “Saturday night’s performance is truly a labor of love for all of the North Charleston POPS! musicians as it allows us to show our deep appreciation to the Lowcountry’s military, veterans and their families.”

Tickets for North Charleston POPS! “Military Salute” featuring Steve Lippia are on sale now at the Coliseum Advance Ticket Office, Ticketmaster outlets (including select Publix stores), charge by phone 1-800-745-3000 or online at Ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices range from $15 - $35 (plus applicable fees). Season tickets and group discounts are available by calling (843) 202-ARTS (2787). Military personnel (active and retired) can save $5 per ticket by showing the military ID at the Coliseum Advance Ticket Window.

The 2013-2014 North Charleston POPS! season consists of four themed performances at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. In addition to the November 2 performance, the other shows are “A Rockin’ Christmas” on December 7, “Endless Love” on February 15, and “Philly Soul” on March 29. Season tickets start at just $58 and are available by calling the North Charleston POPS! hotline (843) 202-ARTS (2787) or online at www.NorthCharlestonColiseumPAC.com

Veterans Day in North Charleston, a Tribute to our Veterans

The City of North Charleston will host its annual Veterans Day tribute on Monday, November 12, 2012 from 10:30 am – 1:00 pm at Park Circle. We ask veterans and the public to join Mayor R. Keith Summey and City Council in this special ceremony. Last year, over 500 veterans in attendance were honored.

The Department of Defense and the Veterans Day National Committee has once again selected North Charleston as a Regional Site for Veterans Day 2012. North Charleston is the only regional site in the State of South Carolina and has been selected for 3 consecutive years.

All veterans in attendance will be recognized and will receive a specially designed commemorative coin. To receive a coin, Veterans are urged to RSVP no later than October 25 to (843) 740-5801, (843) 745-1028 or via email at cdambaugh@northcharleston.org.

Lieutenant Colonel Vernon F. Lightner will be the event’s keynote speaker. A native of Great Falls, South Carolina, Lt. Col. Lightner graduated Livingstone College in 1991 and subsequently received a commission in the US Army Military Police Corps. He has served in a variety of leadership positions from platoon leader to battalion commander, most recently serving as the Director of Emergency Services at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Lt. Col. Lightner stands at attention during ceremony - Flickr user Fort Bliss Garrison PAO

Lt. Col. Lightner served in several operational deployments, including Operation Intrinsic Action in Kuwait, Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, and two tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He currently serves in the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army, as the Regional Director, Southeastern Region, for the Soldier for Life Office.

More Photos of Lt. Col. Lightner

Prior to the ceremony, from 9:30 am – 10:30 am, a story swap will be held in the Felix Davis Community Center. Veterans will have an open opportunity to share memories and stories about their service with fellow veterans. The story swap is open to the public. Veterans wishing to speak should RSVP to (843) 740-5850.

Outback Steakhouse is once again sponsoring lunch for all of the event’s attendees. Outback has sponsored the event for four consecutive years.

From past Veterans Day events

Photos: Veterans Day 2011


Photos: Veterans Day 2010


Video: Medal of Honor recipient Major General Livingston on Veterans Day


Video: 10 year old Tre’ Williams on what it means to be a veteran


Video: Major Joe Lysaght on the history of the Pledge of Allegiance

A.C. Corcoran commemoration of our Veterans

On Friday, November 11, 2011 A.C. Corcoran Elementary welcomed service men and women who served valiantly for our country.

Corcoran Elem. celebrated Veteran’s Day with a school-wide assembly program. The Student Council led the program with the Military Magnet color guard leading the Pledge of Allegiance. The guest speaker was retired Lt. Colonel Charles Johnson, who is also CCSD District 4 Board Member for the Innovation Zone Learning Community (IZlC). Lt. Colonel Charles Johnson was escorted by the entire first grade outside to lead a march with song. Corcoran also recognized our staff, parents, friends, and community members who are Veterans.

Veterans Day in North Charleston

The City of North Charleston hosted its annual Veterans Day tribute on Friday, November 11, 2011 from at Park Circle with keynote speaker Colonel Frank S. Taylor. Over 500 veterans in attendance were honored.

The Department of Defense and the National Committee for Veterans Day selected North Charleston as a Regional Site for Veterans Day 2011. North Charleston is the only regional site in the State of South Carolina.



Major Joe Lysaght of the 3rd BDE South Carolina State Guard, gives the History of the Pledge of Allegiance.



Ten year old Tre' Williams reads his essay on what it means to be a veteran.

In Photos

Veterans Day in North Charleston, a Tribute to our Veterans

The City of North Charleston will hosts its annual Veterans Day tribute on Friday, November 11, 2011 from 10:30 am – 1:00 pm at Park Circle with keynote speaker Colonel Frank S. Taylor. We ask veterans and the public to join Mayor R. Keith Summey and City Council in this special ceremony. Last year, over 500 veterans in attendance were honored.

Ceremony Program

The Department of Defense and the National Committee for Veterans Day has once again selected North Charleston as a Regional Site for Veterans Day 2011. North Charleston is the only regional site in the State of South Carolina.

All veterans in attendance will be called by name and will receive a commemorative medal. Veterans are urged to RSVP no later than October 25 to (843) 740-5809 or via email at cdambaugh@northcharleston.org.

Prior to the ceremony, from 9:30 am – 10:30 am, a story swap will be held in the Felix Davis Community Center. Veterans will have an open opportunity to share memories and stories about their service with fellow veterans. The story swap is open to the public. Veterans wishing to speak should RSVP to (843) 740-5809.

The event’s keynote speaker, Colonel Frank S. Taylor, RET USAF is a native of Charleston, South Carolina and has commanded the 3rd Light Coastal Brigade, South Carolina State Guard since May 16, 2009. Col. Taylor is a graduate of The Citadel, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College, Air University, earning his master’s of military operational art and science, and Air War College. His major awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with 2 devices, National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Armed Forces Services Medal amongst others. Col. Taylor retired from the Air Force Reserves on January 4, 2007, after which he was commissioned a Palmetto Patriot on January 14, 2011 by the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina.