Beaufort Celebrates Local Veterans’ Contributions to Military Service

Beaufort, South Carolina – American Legion Beaufort Post 207 recently honored the service of local veterans Mike Tollison, Kevin Egan, and Steve Lamothe, recognizing their significant contributions to the United States military and their continued dedication to their communities.

Mike Tollison, 83, of Yemassee, South Carolina, began his military journey in 1963 by joining the United States Naval Reserve at Greenville, South Carolina. Following basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois, he trained as a Storekeeper. While he remained in the reserves, Tollison worked with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. In 1968, he was commissioned as a Nuclear Weapons Technical Ordnance Officer after training at the Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Tollison returned to the reserves in 1970, while continuing his employment at TVA in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He re-entered active duty in 1985, where he focused on developing training manuals for reservists. By 1987, he took on the role of Officer in Charge of recruiting personnel across several states, including West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., and parts of New York and Pennsylvania. In 1991, Tollison served as Officer in Charge of the Career Information Team in Norfolk, providing guidance for separating military members.

Tollison’s service at the Naval Academy began in 1995 as the Director of the 150th Academy Anniversary. He later became an instructor in English and Ethics before retiring in 1997 with the rank of Captain (O-6), after 33 years of dedicated service. Post-retirement, he taught middle and high school in North Carolina and Texas before accepting a position as the contract civilian Dean of Military Education at the Navy’s Great Lakes Training Center. His last role before fully retiring was as the Deputy Director for Military Education at San Diego City College.

Meanwhile, Kevin Egan, 74, graduated from the Citadel in 1972 and joined the United States Air Force in Charleston. Upon completing Basic Training at Lackland AFB, Texas, he furthered his efforts with EMS training at Shepherd AFB. He served in the intensive care unit at Naval Hospital Charleston before undertaking a stint with the Peace Corps in Paraguay after his active duty. Egan later returned to an Air Force Reserve air evacuation unit, where he played crucial roles during several significant operations.

Among his notable achievements, Egan was deployed to Jonestown, Guyana, to assist during a critical rescue operation, and he aided in extracting Americans under attack by terrorists in Peru. His notable service included participation in military operations in Grenada, where he was commissioned into the Air Force Medical Services Corps and later served during Desert Shield/Storm in Saudi Arabia, focusing on evacuating wounded soldiers. Egan earned seven Commendation Medals throughout his 30-year military career, retiring with the rank of Major. He currently serves as the president of the Recreational Shrimpers of South Carolina.

Steve Lamothe, 64, enlisted in the Rhode Island Army National Guard in 1979 while attending the University of Rhode Island. After completing Basic Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, Lamothe was commissioned into the National Guard. He served primarily in Transportation and as a Military Police logistician, and was mobilized during Desert Shield/Storm, where he experienced deployment to Iraq.

After returning to Rhode Island, Lamothe served as an inspector general with the Guard, completing 24 years of service before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. In addition to his military service, he worked for 40 years with military contractor Raytheon Technologies. In 2019, he moved to Beaufort County and has since volunteered his time with the Disabled American Veterans.

This honoring event is part of a broader initiative by American Legion Post 207 to recognize local veterans for their unwavering commitment and the sacrifices they have made for their country. Nominations for the Veteran of the Week can be submitted to American Legion Post 207 through the provided contact details.

Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207.