Be sure to join us Veteran’s Day Sunday!

(A Covered Dish Luncheon will follow our Worship Service. All are invited!!)

November 10, 2019

Our Special Guest Speaker will be

SAMUEL J. T. BOONE, Chaplain (COLONEL), USA – Retired

boone Tilden (Sam) Boone was born in Bennettsville, South Carolina. Son of the late Cecil O. and Maxine Quick Boone. He graduated from Bennettsville High School (Class of ’67).

He holds an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies from Spartanburg Jr. College, now Spartanburg Methodist College, Spartanburg, South Carolina; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Science from Scarritt College for Christian Workers, Nashville, Tennessee; a Master of Divinity in Bible and Church History from the Divinity School of Vanderbilt University and a Master of Education in Human Resource Development from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. His military education includes: Infantry Officer Basic, Chaplain Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms & Services Staff School, Command and General Staff Officer Course, the Division and Installation Chaplain’s Courses and the Air War College. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) endorses Chaplain Boone.

He entered the Army in May 1972 and served in the Federal Republic of Germany as an enlisted Radio Operator and Morning Report Clerk. He graduated from Officer Candidate School in April 1974 and was commissioned a Lieutenant of Infantry. Following Rotary Wing Flight Training, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) first as an AH-1G Cobra Section Leader and later as Supply and Services Platoon Leader in C Battery, 4/77th Aerial Field Artillery (Attack) Battalion; Aviation Group Equal Opportunity Officer; and VIP Aviation Section Leader, 163^rd Aviation Company. He was released from active duty in 1979 to pursue ministerial studies. He served in the Tennessee National Guard as the Battalion Signal Officer, 130th Aviation Battalion and as Commander of the 670th Air Traffic Control Detachment, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment.

Chaplain Boone returned to active duty in 1984 as a Battalion Chaplain at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Chaplain Boone served as the Command Chaplain for the United Nations Command, US Forces Korea, and 8^th US Army from June 2003 until June 2008. His final tour of duty was as the Commandant of USACHCS from 24 June 2008 – 25 May 2010. He assumed the civilian position of Director of Quality Assurance, Safety, and Environmental Compliance in September 2010. He retired on 31 March 2018 and received the Superior Civilian Service Award.

Other awards include: The Defense Superior Service Medal, The Legion of Merit (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), The Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (5 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Services Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster), Good Conduct Medal, National Guard Master Recruiter Badge, Tennessee Volunteer Ribbon, Senior Army Aviator Badge and the Air Assault Badge.

He was inducted into The Honorable Order of Saint Barbara (Patron Saint of Field Artillery) in 1989. Into the Fort Benning Officer Candidate School’s Hall of Fame April, 2000. The Governor of Kentucky has made him an Honorary ‘Kentucky Colonel.’ Seoul Christian University, Seoul Korea, awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree. The Governor of South Carolina awarded the ‘Order of the Palmetto’ upon his retirement. The Military Officers Association of America presented him the ‘David E. White Leadership Award’ at the 2015 joint MOAA/MCA conference. He was inducted into the Fort Jackson Hall of Fame on 1 June 2017. The current Army Chief of Chaplains (MG Tom Solhjem) awarded him the “Saint Martin of Tours Medal” for his continued service to the Chaplain Corps.

He is a Life Member of the US Army Chaplain Corps Regimental Association (USACCRA), Military Chaplain’s Association (MCA) Sam serves as the SC Chapter MCA as Secretary-Treasurer; the Chaplain Regimental Museum Association (CRMA), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Sam serves as President of the Columbia Chapter and Chaplain for the State MOAA Council; Association of the US Army (AUSA) Sam serves as the Chaplain for the Palmetto Chapter, Officer Candidate School Alumni Association, Sam Serves as the Association Chaplain; Disabled American Veterans (DAV), he is a member of the American Legion (Post 195) and the National Rifle Association (NRA). Sam is a volunteer Chaplain at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery. He had conducted 158 grave side Honors since his retirement from active duty.

Hobbies: bird watching, gun collecting, working on cars, “honey do’s” and yard beautification.

He is married to the former Teresa Allen of Macon, Georgia. They celebrated 44 years of marriage this past July 26^th.

(as of 15 Oct 2019)