Students honor fallen soldiers

The Silver Bluff High School Student Council paid tribute Tuesday to three Aiken County men who lost their lives in service to their country.

As part of the organization's annual sunrise service, said adviser Jason Goings, the service was dedicated to National Guardsman Willie Harley Jr., who died Oct. 1 in Afghanistan; Army Spc. Jason Moski, who died in Iraq in 2005; and Marine Cpl. Matt Dillon, who died in Iraq in 2006.

"The Student Council is dedicated to recognizing our Aiken County veterans," said Goings. "We lost some so recently, and it's important for us to recognize them at our War Memorial. It's fitting to have a memorial service for them."

Members of the Harley family and Dillon's parents, Neal and Lucy Dillon, attended the ceremony. Bricks for all three men were highlighted with plants, and Naval Junior ROTC cadets were posted at each service flag. The guest speaker was Brig. Gen. Ronald Huff of the S.C. National Guard. The Aiken native and Ridge Spring-Monetta High School graduate described a long association with Harley over the years.

"He was one of my supply specialists working in Columbia many years ago," Huff said of Harley. "He was always serious about what he was doing. He was deployed twice and the second time, had asked to go again. He made the ultimate sacrifice, doing it for the state and the nation. He did it for the love of his country, so his family and friends could continue with the freedom they have today."

Wil Moorhead served as Silver Bluff's student body president last year and is now president of a school spirit organization, the Bulldog Brotherhood. He and classmate Sarah Zimmerman performed "Amazing Grace."

"It's always a great opportunity to be able to honor those who have gone," said Moorhead. "Personally, I don't believe I would be able to do things I've been able to do and enjoy had they not done what they did."

Neal and Lucy Dillon said they try to attend all events that pay tribute to their son, honoring not only Matt, but all veterans.

"Anything we can do to remember the veterans, we're more than happy to participate," Neal Dillon said. "This school is a forerunner of supporting the veterans. Its NJROTC unit is top-notch."

Later Tuesday morning, NJROTC Commander Ron Freeman and his cadets held a formal Veterans Day event. The guest speaker was Maj. Gen. Perry Smith (ret.). He discussed the Medal of Honor and showcased the bravery of Medal of Honor winner Pfc. Clarence Sasser during the Vietnam War.

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.