Retired Marine speaks about service to country 11/13/2008 12:10 AM By ROB NOVIT Senior writer
The veterans attending Schofield Middle School's Veterans Day program Tuesday came from all walks of life to work together for a common purpose to make the world better, said Marine Corps Col. Eddie Ray (ret.).
"What is embedded in the concept of the military," he said, "is teamwork with a goal of common trust ... and performing with an unselfishness and sacrifice to serve us all."
Ray retired in May after a distinguished 30-year career that included the Navy Cross for his service during Desert Storm. In 2001, he took command of the 2nd Light Armory Reconnaissance Battalion and two years later, led the battalion through southern Iraq and from Baghdad to Tikrit. When the battalion returned to the United States, Ray was assigned to the Top Level School at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I.
He currently serves as Wackenhut's director of special operations at the Savannah River Site, with responsibilities for law enforcement, barricade security, aviation and special response operations.
At the Veterans Day program, Ray also praised the efforts of the teachers.
"They are ultimately performing a service to the community," he said. "I think they realize how important their jobs are, but they're the forgotten group. They are shaping the future in the work they do, and they should be recognized for it."
As for the students, they're old enough to pursue civic engagement to make the community better, Ray said.
"There's so much good that can be done," he said. "It can be volunteering at a hospital or helping a neighbor. Those kinds of things add up and are good in terms of character-building. Young kids get the chance to experience that good feeling just from helping somebody."
Other special guests were the Aiken High School Naval Junior ROTC color guard and the armed drill team. Music was provided by the Schofield band and chorus programs.
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
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