News Summary
The American Legion Beaufort Post 207 recently honored five distinguished veterans for their significant contributions to the military. The honorees, including a former Army Captain and a 105-year-old Army veteran, reflect the rich tapestry of service experiences. Their dedication to duty, honor, and patriotism was celebrated in a heartfelt ceremony that showcased their impactful stories and lifelong commitment to the armed forces.
Beaufort, South Carolina – The American Legion Beaufort Post 207 recently held a ceremony to honor five distinguished service members who have made significant contributions to the U.S. Armed Forces. The event highlighted the diverse backgrounds and dedicated service of these individuals, who collectively represent a wealth of experience and commitment to their country.
The honorees included Stanley Grossman, 82, a former Captain in the Army’s Dental Corps, who began his military journey after joining the pre-commissioning program in 1965. After earning his dental degree from Loyola University in 1968, Grossman completed Basic Training for doctors at Fort Sam Houston. He was later assigned to the Dental Unit at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis. His service took him to Vietnam, where he worked at dental clinics in Na Trang, Tuy Hoa, and Ban Me Thout, providing essential dental care to the Montagnard tribes in the central highlands. Grossman left the Army in 1970 and began a private dental practice in the New York City area before retiring in 2013 after serving as a contract dentist in Beaufort County.
Another honoree, Kathleen Young, 77, served in the U.S. Navy during her youth. Details of her enlistment remain unspecified, but Young’s veteran status reflects the significant role women played in the military during her time of service.
Hal Spicer, 73, brought a wealth of military experience as a former Marine Corps Sergeant First Class. He enlisted in 1970 in Jacksonville, Florida, completing Boot Camp at Parris Island and Advanced Infantry Training at Camp Lejeune. Spicer trained as a Communications Wireman and served overseas in Okinawa and Beaufort. His deployment history included missions to Puerto Rico, Lejeune, and MCAS Yuma. After separating from the Marine Corps in 1975, Spicer joined the South Carolina Army National Guard, where he served as a Cavalry Scout. Over his career, he was mobilized for Hurricane Hugo and prepared for deployment to Desert Shield and Afghanistan before retiring in 2000. He worked in facilities maintenance in Beaufort County from 1984 until his retirement in 2013.
Kevin Egan, 74, is a distinguished veteran who graduated from the Citadel in 1972 before joining the United States Air Force. After completing Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, he underwent Emergency Medical Service training at Shepherd AFB and gained valuable experience in the intensive care unit at Naval Hospital Charleston. Egan was also released to the Peace Corps, serving in Paraguay, before returning to an Air Force Reserve air evacuation unit. His deployments spanned across various international crises, including Guyana, Peru, and Grenada. Egan was commissioned into the Air Force Medical Services Corps and served during the Desert Shield/Storm conflict. Over his 30-year career, he earned seven Commendation Medals and currently presides over the Recreational Shrimpers of South Carolina.
The oldest honoree, Betty Hamilton, is a remarkable 105 years old and joined the United States Army in 1940 prior to World War II. Starting her service as a physical therapist at an Army hospital near Washington D.C., Hamilton later worked at a convalescent center in England during the war, where she met her husband. She separated from service as a First Lieutenant, after which they moved to Knoxville and eventually West Virginia. In 2014, Hamilton relocated to Beaufort to live with her daughter and son-in-law. She is set to celebrate her 106th birthday in June 2025.
These honorees embody the spirit of service and sacrifice that defines the military community. The ceremony at American Legion Beaufort Post 207 served as a reminder of their outstanding contributions and the shared values of honor, duty, and patriotism among service members.
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Additional Resources
- Your Island News: Hal Spicer
- Wikipedia: Veteran
- WITN: Vietnam Veterans Honored
- Google Search: American Legion Post
- Your Island News: Betty Hamilton
- Google Scholar: Veterans Service
- Your Island News: Kevin Egan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Veterans
- Your Island News: Prestine Alexander
- Google News: Military Honors
- Your Island News: Herbert Washington
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