The Hezzie Gazette

Official Newsletter of Hezzie Griffis American Legion Post 30

Informing 200+ Community Readers

November 2026

In this edition you’ll find:

• We're Going Nuts Again, and This Time We're Online
• From Pearl Harbor to CNN: One Fighter Pilot's Remarkable Journey
• The Men Wouldn't Fly It. So They Put Women in the Cockpit!
• From Edgefield Classrooms to the National Spotlight: Post 30 Gets Noticed

Commander’s Comments

From Pearl Harbor to CNN and Beyond

For those who missed our October 15 meeting, retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Perry Smith proved to be an entertaining guest speaker. He explained that it was his first time speaking to an American Legion group, joking that, at 91 years of age, he might not get invited again. What followed was a remarkable firsthand account of history and military aviation.

Maj. Gen. Smith holds a copy of his memoir, Listen Up!, following a presentation that included stories from his 180 combat missions over Laos and North Vietnam.

Smith was just six years old when he witnessed the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor while riding in the back of an Army truck on his way to Sunday school. Two months later, he was among 2,000 people evacuated from Hawaii aboard a ship designed to carry only 750. He recalled arriving in San Francisco Harbor and wondering why the women around him were crying as patriotic music played, too young to understand their tears of joy at reaching safety.

After graduating from West Point, Smith chose the Air Force and became a fighter pilot. He flew 180 combat missions over Laos and North Vietnam, later commanded an F-15 wing of approximately 4,000 personnel, and helped shape the Air Force's emphasis on stealth technology and precision weapons.

One particularly memorable story involved helping a commercial airliner land after its airspeed indicator failed. Flying alongside the aircraft in his F-15, Smith called out its airspeed every two or three seconds until it landed safely at Frankfurt International Airport. His lesson from that experience was simple: always have a Plan B.

After retiring from the Air Force, he became a CNN military analyst, providing commentary during Operation Desert Storm. In 1998, he challenged a CNN report alleging that American forces had used nerve gas to kill their own troops during a Vietnam War operation in Laos. Unable to stop the broadcast or obtain a retraction afterward, he resigned and publicly challenged the network's reporting.

Smith lives in Augusta with his wife of 67 years, Connor. He is the author of several books, including his memoir and one about his father-in-law, Marine Lt. Col. Jimmie Dyess. Dyess received the Carnegie Medal for civilian heroism and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II. He remains the only person to have received both honors. Smith continues to preserve his father-in-law's legacy through the annual Jimmie Dyess Symposium at the Augusta Museum of History, which also recognizes others for exceptional service.

Maj. Gen. Smith recounts flying his F-15 across Washington, D.C., violating flight regulations to make a safe landing.

We want our monthly meetings to be more than just business. Good conversation, a casual supper and interesting guests are all part of the evening, along with the business of running our Post. We welcome suggestions for future speakers and encourage members to come enjoy the company.

-- Winston Boddie, Post 30 Commander

OMG! There's WASP in the Cockpit

Proving Airworthiness of the B-29 Superfortress

More than 25,000 applications to become a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) aviator swarmed the U.S. Army Air Corps headquarters beginning August 5,1943, when a convinced General Henry "Hap" Arnold the five-star "father to be" of today's Air Force directed that "immediate action be taken and the recruiting of women pilots begin within 24 hours" to ferry planes from factories to American airfields during World War II. This had potential of relieving nearly 900 male pilots for combat duty.

That very day, 83 telegrams went out to prospective women seeking aircraft pilots between ages 21 and 35 having a commercial flying license, 500 hours of flight time, and cross-country flight experience. Some 1,839 women were accepted and 1,074 completed training learning to fly the Army way. But there was considerable backlash from male chauvinists, politicians and media. Episodes of discrimination and less-valued attitudes presented at every turn.

WASP with B-17 Flying Fortress “Pistol Packin’ Mama,” Lockbourne AAF, Ohio, 1944. (Army Air Corps photo via Wikimedia Commons, colorized)

After training, WASP were stationed at 122 air bases across the U.S. to transport aircraft. They also test-flew repaired planes and towed targets for live anti-aircraft target practice, a "top-secret" assignment. Yep, you guessed it, some WASP got shot in the feet.

WASP flew America's first jet fighter -- the Bell YP-59A Airacomet and 77 other aircraft, some that male pilots didn't crave to fly like the B-29 Superfortress with a reputation for engine problems and fires. Commanding officer and later pilot of the B-29 Enola Gay over Hiroshima in 1945 -- then Lt. Col. Paul Tibbets -- came up with a bold solution. If the men thought the airplane too dangerous, he'd have women fly it. He recruited two unhesitating WASP, one who later let it be known that she had never been in a four-engine plane before. After a few days of training he had them fly demonstration flights in front of male aircrews. After watching the women calmly fly the giant bomber, the men stopped whining like football players who had just fumbled the ball.

The WASP delivered 12,652 aircraft logging over 60 million miles while losing 38 lives. Because they were not considered part of the military, traditional military honors and expressions of patriotism like an American burial flag were not offered to them. Full military recognition didn't come about until 1977 when they attained veteran status. The American Legion had opposed their military recognition in Congressional testimony as late as 1976. WASP accomplishments had been further obscured by the sealing of records after WWII, and more recently taken offline in downplay of diversity mention in the military. 

The WASP Congressional Gold Medal, obverse and reverse (U.S. Mint photo)

On December 20, 1944, WASP was disbanded after two amazing years of distinguished service. It would be 66 years later on March 10, 2010, that their service would be recognized by a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor, in this case awarded for decisive accomplishment to the nation in time of war. Said General Arnold, “If ever there were a doubt in anyone's mind that women can become skillful pilots, the WASPs (sic) have dispelled that doubt.”

-- J. W. “Pete” Peterson, feature writer

Comments, suggestions, ideas for future articles? Email alpost30sc@gmail.com, “Attention: Pete.”

November Birthdays at Post 30

Let’s wish a very Happy Birthday to our members: David Beagle, Johnny Hensley, and Stephen Julian.

From the Adjutant’s Desk

October at Post 30:  New Members, Fellowship, Service

• A hearty welcome aboard to our two NEW members:

     Steven Porter, Navy, Vietnam

     David Holloway, branch unknown at this time

• Thank you to Jon Notestein for bringing Art DeLos Santos to our October meeting.

• It was our pleasure having Johnston Post 154 Commander, Glenn Herlong, at our October meeting.

• Thank you to Bethany Kennedy for preparing our October supper while head cook Chris Hayes was helping Supper Committee volunteer Alan Gilbert following a minor medical procedure.

• We had a great turnout at the October Veterans Coffee Hour, with an added bonus of gaining one new member. Thank you, John Sherry, for leading this monthly gathering.

• Rick Berry, Winston Boddie, and Dave Coates attended the American Legion Fall Conference October 24 in Columbia, SC.

November Salute and December Sleigh Bells

• The Edgefield County Veterans Day Ceremony will take place on November 11 at 11:00 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park.  Come celebrate our veterans.

• We need volunteers at the Post 30 tent at the Jingle & Mingle Holiday Market on Sunday, November 8 from noon to 4:00 p.m. at Patriots Smokehouse, 2006 ½ Martintown Road, Edgefield. We can stagger coverage with everyone stopping by for an hour at a time.

• The Edgefield Christmas Parade will be held Sunday December 6 at 3:00 p.m. Johnny Hensley will provide his trailer again this year. More details soon on decorating and riding. 

     -- Jane Doolittle, Post 30 Adjutant

Rain Doesn't Stop Hero Run

A little rain couldn't dampen spirits at the first Strom Thurmond High School NJROTC Hero Run 5K in downtown Edgefield on October 17.

(l to r) Winston Boddie, Bethany Kennedy, Keith Kennedy, and Dave Coates representing Post 30 at the Hero Run. Photo by Dave Coates.

Organized by the cadets to honor veterans and emergency responders while also raising funds for their NJROTC program, the event drew Post 30 members Winston Boddie, Dave Coates, Keith Kennedy, Jon Notestein, John Sherry, and Auxiliary Unit 30 member Bethany Kennedy. The group arrived early to set up the Post 30 tent and visit with participants. Coates and the Kennedys walked the 5K course, and Boddie addressed the crowd afterward at the invitation of NJROTC Lt. Col. Tommie Williams.

John Sherry receives a medal for placing 3rd in his age category.

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Pecan Fundraiser Goes Online

Post 30’s annual pecan fundraiser has a new convenience this year: online ordering and secure payment. Choose from six varieties of delicious pecans and cashews or order through a Post 30 member who can enter your order for you.

With the holidays approaching, fresh Georgia pecans and cashews make great hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, employee gifts, and treats for family and friends. And don’t forget to stock up for holiday baking and snacking!

Preorders are underway, with pickup at the Edgefield Welcome Center or free local delivery within 10 miles on orders over $100. Order by November 1 for receipt before Thanksgiving or December 1 for receipt before Christmas. Supplies are limited. The online system also simplifies inventory and sales tracking, with no transaction fees deducted from payments to Post 30.

Every purchase funds our programs for veterans, youth and the community. Thank you for your support.

There are three Easy Ways to Order. We’ll notify you when your order is ready for pickup.

[1] Online: Scan the QR Code above to go to the website to select your favorites and pay securely.

[2] Text: 864-413-7121 with the word “PECANS” and your name, type, and quantity.

[3] Email: alpost30sc@gmail.com with your order.

Post 30's Outreach Gets National Attention

Our Constitution Week visits to local middle schools are drawing attention beyond Edgefield County. The American Legion's national Media & Communications team and the 917 Society, which supplied our pocket Constitutions, both asked to feature Post 30's efforts in their newsletters. The Legion's story appeared as the lead article in the October 21 Digital Dispatch, highlighting our distribution of more than 200 pocket Constitutions, our ongoing youth programs, and how we built a partnership with the Edgefield County School District. By sharing how that relationship developed, the article offers other American Legion posts an example of how they, too, can become involved in their local schools. The 917 Society also featured our story and photos in the October 15 edition of its Volunteers in Action newsletter.

A Lesson in Flag and Tradition

Johnston Post 154 members and guests gathered outside on a cool fall evening to give worn American flags a respectful farewell. The October 13 ceremony marked a first for Strom Thurmond High School NJROTC cadets Gavin Mason and Charlie Gonzalez, who helped retire the flags alongside American Legion members. Post 154 Commander Glenn Herlong invited District 17 Commander Winston Boddie and Post 30 Adjutant Jane Doolittle to participate in the ceremony.

Cadets Mason and Gonzalez display the U.S. Flag as Doolittle begins the flag folding ceremony.

Before the ceremony, Doolittle gave the cadets a hands-on lesson in folding the American flag. During the ceremony, she explained the meaning of its 13 folds, while Boddie shared the flag's history. Mason, a first-year cadet, has developed a particular interest in drill and ceremony.

Under guidance of NJROTC instructor LtCol Tommie Williams, cadets put their training into practice as the flags were retired. For the young participants, the evening offered something beyond the classroom: an opportunity to take part in a longstanding American Legion tradition.

(Click image to watch Veterans Coffee Hour video)

Chaplain's Corner

Honoring Those Who Answered the Call

The American Legion preamble calls us “To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars.” These words carry a sacred responsibility: remembering the people who served, the burdens they carried, and the sacrifices that continue long after the fighting ends.

We do not preserve these memories to celebrate war. War brings loss, grief, and wounds that may never fully heal. We remember because those who answered our nation’s call deserve more than a passing thank you. They deserve to have their stories heard and their service honored.

Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13, KJV). This passage reminds us that sacrificial love places the welfare of others above personal comfort and safety.

During conflict, military members accept obligations that relatively few Americans shoulder. They leave families, miss births and holidays, endure hardship, and face the possibility of never returning. Some give their lives. Others return with lasting injuries, painful memories, or years of recovery. Their families also bear the cost of service.

Their higher calling is expressed through duty, courage, loyalty, and a willingness to protect others. Honoring that calling does not require agreement with every war or every decision made by national leaders.

Preserving these memories means telling their stories, supporting those still struggling, caring for their families, and teaching younger generations what service costs.

When we remember faithfully, we honor sacrifice, strengthen our comradeship, and renew our responsibility to those who served.  This Veteran’s Day, share those stories. Listen to those stories. Shake a hand or give a hug to a Veteran who sacrificed so much for the freedoms we cherish.

-- William Beaver, Post 30 Chaplain

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District 17 Posts Share Ideas, Build Momentum

Leaders from five District 17 posts gathered at Post 30 on October 10 to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and share what's working in their communities, proving that good ideas don't have to stay within the walls of a single American Legion post. The meeting also featured Meg Prior's presentation, “Afghanistan: Outside the Wire,” expanding the number of American Legion posts who got a look at her experiences in Afghanistan.

District 17 leadership and guests watch one of Meg Prior's videos showing U.S. soldiers on patrol in Taliban-controlled territory.

Illustrating how a simple idea from one post can benefit another, Batesburg-Leesville Post 61 has adopted Post 30's practice of starting off with social time prior to getting down to the business of monthly meetings. The change has already shown positive results. Furthermore, Post 61 is working to bring exciting voices to its meetings, recently welcoming state Rep. Cal Norris as a guest speaker.

Elsewhere in the district, posts are partnering on community activities and American Legion programs, some for the first time. Newberry Post 24 is experiencing positive feedback for its community outreach, gaining two new members and raising funds through sales at the Newberry Oktoberfest. In addition, Post 24 is teaming up with Newberry Post 219 on the November 7 Veterans Day parade, along with participation from the District 17 commander. Saluda Post 65 is preparing to host its first American Legion Oratorical Contest in December and, together with Post 24, is taking part in Wreaths Across America. Johnston Post 154 continues its tradition of honoring post widows during its annual December Ladies Night.

From sharing successful practices to supporting veterans, youth, and their communities, the multi-post meeting showed the value of learning from one another. The next District 17 meeting is scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. at Batesburg-Leesville Post 61.

7 Nov.: Community Cadence Fitness Walk. Who says you have to walk alone? Come walk with us! Meet us at 8 a.m. at the Piedmont Tech parking lot for a two-mile walk (at your own pace) along the Edgefield Walking Trail. Veterans, family members, friends, and the entire community are welcome. To receive automated text reminders for future walks (no marketing or information collected), text CADENCE to 864-413-7121.

7 Nov.: Fort Gordon Retiree Appreciation Day. Military retirees can get answers to questions about benefits, healthcare, retirement services, and more from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Darling Hall, Fort Gordon. Information tables and breakout sessions will cover VA benefits, legal assistance, scams and fraud, and other topics. For details, call the Retirement Services Office at 706-791-1950.

12–14 Nov.: Annual Military Display. Retired Army Brig. Gen. Fab Burt of Edgefield is bringing his impressive collection of military equipment and combat gear back to American Legion Post 19 in McCormick. Spanning World War I through the Gulf War, the free exhibit offers something for history buffs of all ages. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 316 McCracken Street, McCormick.

13 Nov.: First Annual Veteran Affairs Golf Tournament. The Edgefield County Veterans Affairs Office will host its First Annual Veteran Affairs Golf Tournament from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Pine Ridge Country Club. Proceeds will benefit the Edgefield County Veterans Emergency Relief Fund, providing emergency financial assistance to local veterans while supporting outreach programs and community events. Registration is open through November 9 using the button below.

14 Nov.: Veterans Coffee Hour. The coffee's on, and there’s always something nice to go with it! Stop by the Edgefield Welcome Center, 104 Courthouse Square, from 9–10 a.m. to catch up with familiar faces and meet a few new ones. No speeches, no agenda, just veterans enjoying each other's company. Stay for a few minutes or the whole hour. Veterans and spouses are welcome.

14 Nov.: Veterans Day Cruise-In. Edgefield County Veterans Affairs will host a Veterans Day Cruise-In, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at Piedmont Technical College’s Edgefield Campus. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, military vehicles, tractors, and more are welcome. Vehicle registration and admission are free. For information, call 803-637-4012.

21 Nov.: Operation Honor: Rural Salute SC. Veterans, military families, and the community are invited to a free event from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. at Phillips Market Center, 117 Ballard Court, West Columbia, SC. The day features VA benefits and claims assistance, healthcare and employment resources, live music, food trucks, a veteran farmers market, and children's activities. Admission and parking are free.

Post 30 Calendar of Events

7 Nov.: Community Cadence Fitness Walk, Piedmont Tech parking lot, 8:00 a.m.

8 Nov.: Post 30 booth at Jingle & Mingle Holiday Market, Patriot’s Smokehouse, 12–4 p.m.

11 Nov.: Edgefield County Veterans Day Ceremony at Edgefield Veterans’ Memorial Park, 11:00 a.m.

12 Nov.: Executive Committee Meeting, 4:00 p.m.

14 Nov.: Veterans Coffee Hour, Edgefield Welcome Center, 9–10 a.m.

19 Nov.: Monthly meeting, supper (6:00 p.m.), meeting (6:30 p.m.). Menu is Souper-Douper Vegetable Soup, Cornbread & Blooming Delicious Apple Roses for dessert.

5 Dec.: Community Cadence Fitness Walk, Piedmont Tech parking lot, 8:00 a.m.

6 Dec.: Post 30 float in the Edgefield Christmas Parade, 3:00 p.m.

10 Dec.: Executive Committee Meeting, 4:00 p.m.

12 Dec.: Veterans Coffee Hour, Edgefield Welcome Center, 9–10 a.m.

17 Dec.: Post 30 Christmas Party, 6:00 p.m.

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