Veterans Day Story -Thank you for your service and sacrifice
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 12:21 pm
Years ago when I was running SC Pigskin Prep, I did a series on stadiums around the state. The story on Woodmont High School always stayed with me all these years later.
The following storty was written 10 years ago but in honor of Veterans Day, I am re-posting it here. Since we all love high school football and honor our Veterans on this special day, I thought it was appropriate. I hope you enjoy this amazing story.
Dave Pickren
====
The Stadium Project - Woodmont High School
by
Dave Pickren
Wednesday, April 6, 2005
Often in high school we count wins and losses, the number of seats in the stadium, the quality of the facilities and the number of trophies in the showcase. This defines how "good" the school is in football and we all hang our hat on these numbers. In the case of Woodmont none of those factors are important nor would they give the true story of a new school, a proud rural community and a true American Hero who gave his life in the service of his country.
I must admit that the stadium project has become one of my favorite series on SC Pigskin Prep. Com. As a history major from Wofford, I love researching the stadiums and hearing the old stories and traditions. As a football fan I love seeing the stadiums across the state and speaking with the people who hold these stadiums close to their hearts.
Last week I was returning from Greenwood, SC and stopped by Woodmont High School to take a few shots of the stadium. Normally when I am shooting pictures I start writing the story in my mind. I look around and try to get a feel for what makes the stadium special. I try to find something that will make readers of SCPP interested in the stadium. I want to know what makes the place special.
I was walking around the stadium at Woodmont and the only thing that kept running through my head was how could a school district as rich as Greenville have a stadium like Woodmont. I was thinking of all the ways to approach the inadequacies of Woodmont Stadium. I was wondering how this could pass as adequate in Greenville County where the unemployment rates are less than 2% and the County is home to a strong economic base.
I was leaving the stadium then I saw the marker.
WHITT MEMORIAL FIELD
Named in Honor Of
PFC Broadus Alfred Whitt
Co Captain of Woodmont's First Football Team
And Member of Woodmont High School
Class of 1966
Killed in Action March 25, 1968
Republic of Vietnam
The history major in me wanted to know more about PFC Whitt. I was intrigued and wanted to find out everything I could about this man who gave his life for his country and how this stadium came about to honor him.
A little research on the internet revealed that a Wayne Whitt was still living in Honea Path South Carolina. I called the number. A good ole boy with a pleasant sounding voice answered. I asked if he was related to Broadus Alfred Whitt. Immediately his tone changed and he answered that he was Alfred's brother, Wayne Whitt.
Hesitantly I asked if he would answer a few questions about his brother and told him what I was working on. He cheered up a little and said sure.
Immediately I told him how proud and grateful I was personally that his brother was willing to do his duty and to give his life for his country. Wayne replied that Alfred was a good boy and never was in any trouble. He said Alfred always did the right thing and never caused his parents any grief. He was an outstanding young man.
Broadus Alfred Whitt came from a large family who lived on the outskirts of Honea Path, South Carolina. He was born on September 28th, 1946. He was the 8th child in the family of 7 brothers and 4 sisters. He had a younger brother and 2 younger sisters.
Growing up, Alfred (as his family called him) was a quiet hard working young boy. He never was much for the outdoors and never enjoyed hunting or using guns. The rest of the family were big hunters and enjoyed deer season but Alfred preferred sports and his studies and his times at Church. Alfred attended Piedmont High School and then moved to Woodmont when the school was opened in 1965.
He played football and ran track during his junior and senior years at Woodmont. His senior year he was voted co - captain by his teammates. He wore #73 which is now retired at Woodmont and at 180 lbs. was a starting offensive tackle. His brother says he was elected captain not for his football skills but rather for how he treated people and because he was just a good ole boy that everyone liked. Everyone liked Alfred and he was friendly to all kinds of people his brother shared. It did not matter where you came from or who your "kin" were, you were all the same to Alfred.
The 1965 Woodmont Wildcat team did not have a particularly good season. Under Coach Wayne Belskis the team finished 2-7-1 with wins over Ford High School and Slater - Marietta. Alfred graduated in June of 1966 and went to work for a local textile company. He married his high school sweetheart in July of 1966.
In May of 1967 Alfred's number came up in the military draft lottery. Friends and family encouraged him to enlist in the National Guard to avoid a tour in Vietnam. But Alfred said it was his duty and responsibility to serve. He enjoyed the good things that he and his family had in South Carolina and he needed to do his duty to protect his way of life. He said it would not be right for someone to take his place in Vietnam. His brother said Alfred did not think he was any better than anyone else so why should someone else go and he stay at home.
Alfred went to basic training in June of 1967 and then was sent to Vietnam later that summer. He was sent to Quang Tri, South Vietnam which is the most northern providence of what was then South Vietnam. He was a Private First Class in the US Army 3rd Division. During most of 1968 Quang Tri was a favorite target of the NVA (North Vietnam Army) and the Vietcong. Both would attack Quang Tri and then move back into safe havens in the North or into Laos. Alfred served as a gunner in this division. By 1968 there were over 500,000 US combat troops in Vietnam. The majority of these troops were younger than Alfred who turned 21 during the early days of his tour.
On March 25th, 1968, 37 years ago this week, Alfred was killed during a night attack on his position in Quang Tri. The official cause of death was listed as trauma as a result of small arms fire. His body was recovered and was sent back to Piedmont where he was buried under full military honors. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart post humanously His grave site is in Greenville Memorial Gardens in Greenville, South Carolina. Alfred was 21 years old when he died for his country. He served for less than a year and was 7 months into his tour of Vietnam.
Today you can view PFC Broadus Alfred Whitt's name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington DC. Panel 46E Line 025.
For Alfred's family his death was very hard to accept. A quiet country boy from Honea Path South Carolina had died a world away for a war that many had concluded was unnecessary. During my conversation with his brother I could hear in his voice how much he still resented the war even 40 years later. "We had no business being there and Alfred should have been home with his family. Men were slaughtered there, I mean killed and those who came back were messed up pretty bad. Why it happened I do not know but Alfred deserved better than that...(pause).. they all did."
When Alfred came home he was buried with full military honors. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. By this time the county was beginning to split over Vietnam and many of the heroes coming home were not given their proper recognition. His brother says that most people just wanted to forget what happened over there and move on with their life but for his family it was difficult. The Whitt family struggled to come to terms with his death as the nation more and more ignored the Vietnam Veterans and those who died.
Later that year in 1968 one of Alfred's younger brother's was drafted into the army. His mother wrote Senator Strom Thurmond and Senator Fritz Hollings and told the 2 Senators that the family had lost 1 son in Vietnam and could not lose another. Alfred's brother's orders were changed and he served the county for 18 months in Germany.
Steve Chandler is a long time friend of Whitt family, a 1970 graduate of Woodmont; he served many years as Athletic Director at Woodmont. He recalled the day the community heard of Alfred's death. "His younger sister was in my class when they came and got her and told her Alfred has died." I can honestly say that was one of the worst days of my entire life. I lost a friend and the whole community lost a fine young man" remembers Chandler.
Chandler had grown up in the Piedmont community with his mother working in the schools and he knew all the Whitt family. He recalls how the community was in shock with Alfred's death and how the world kind of stopped when word reached home. Even today Chandler believes Alfred's death affects the community. "New students and Woodmont players see the marker and learn about Alfred Whitt and hopefully see his example and become better men and women as a result of his legacy."
Donnie Maddox is a life long resident of Piedmont, SC and was best friends and played football with Alfred at Woodmont. Donnie was a graduate of the Class of 1965 and like Alfred did a tour of duty in Vietnam. "One day I am standing at the depot at the 9th induction center in Long Bin in Vietnam and in walks Alfred Whitt" recalls Donnie. "Here we are 8000 miles away from home and in walks the guy that I grew up with back in South Carolina. It was the last time I would see him alive. He died 5 months later."
Maddox recalled how well Alfred was liked among his teammates and classmates back at Woodmont. Donnie remembers Whitt as a Christian young man who put his family and his Savior above everything else. Whitt was a member a Columbia Baptist Church and maintained a strong faith in his personal life.
Maddox stated: "You have to remember that the 60s were a time of turmoil in the country with Vietnam, the Civil rights movement, integration and all the changes. People looked to different places for things and a way to deal but Whitt always looked to the Church, his family and his friends" Maddox recalls. "He was just one of those guys that everyone loved and admired. I can honestly say that I have never known a finer Christian man than Alfred Whitt.
Maddox and 2 of his friends from Woodmont Class of 65 joined the military under the buddy program which allowed them to serve in the same unit while in the service. Kerry Durham was also a member of the Woodmont Class of 1965. He was a member of the 1st Air Calvary and was wounded 4 times in Vietnam. He received the Silver Star and the Purple Heart for his valor in Vietnam.
Maddox remembers that of the 4 young men from Woodmont that served their country during Vietnam only Whitt died in action. All 4 of the men were in Vietnam at the same time during and after the Tet offensive of 1968. Maddox considers him self fortunate to have made it home to his family.
Ironically Alfred almost never made it to Vietnam at all. In 1966 Whitt volunteered for the service. He went for his pre induction physical but failed the hearing test and was denied entry into the military. 8 months later his number was called in the draft lottery and this time he passed the hearing section and was assigned to Vietnam after basic training. His death would come 7 months later.
In 1986, the Class of 1966 was holding their 20th annual reunion. The idea was brought up to name the field at Woodmont High School after PFC Alfred Whitt. The Class approached Woodmont Principal Joe Broadus who immediately approved the idea. The next step was the Greenville County School Board. Approval was granted and a dedication ceremony was planned for the following school year. The Class of 1966 passed the hat at a meeting and the money was raised for the memorial to Whitt.
On Veterans Day in 1986 Woodmont Field officially became Whitt Memorial Field in honor of Private First Class Broadus Alfred Whitt. An honor color guard came up from Fort Jackson in Columbia. The field was dedicated to PFC Whitt in full military fashion. Marsha Davis who was a class mate of Whitt's and Maddox sang "God Bless America". The Whitt family was presented with a second flag by the honor guard. The entire Piedmont community honored their fallen son in a moving ceremony.
The Wildcats defeated Riverside that evening. Riverside head coach Louis Golden stated that there was no way his team was going to beat the emotional Wildcats that evening. "They were going to win that night for their hero and no one was going to stop them from winning" Golden was quoted as saying. The marker for PFC Whitt was placed under the old oak tree in the north end zone where it remains today.
Whitt Field at Woodmont Stadium named after a local American Hero will be torn down this year. A new Woodmont High School will be opened this fall and the old field replaced with a new one at the new school about 3 miles down the road. I can only hope that the marker for Alfred will be carried to the new field and the honor that the Class of 1966 bestowed on Alfred will continue at the new stadium.
I also think it would appropriate to list the other classmates of PFC Whitt who served in Vietnam during the time that Whitt was there. The 4 young men who did there duty for their country should have their name listed along with their fallen classmate.
In today's world with our military men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, I think it is even more important than ever to remember Alfred Whitt.
A man that loved his county and his family.
A man that gave his life in sacrifice for his country.
A man who is a true hero.
40 years ago Vietnam Veterans returning home did not receive the honors they deserved. The Woodmont High School Class of 1966 did the right thing and made sure that future Woodmont students would know who Alfred Whitt was and what he did for his country. Now Woodmont should continue to recognize PFC Whitt and honor his memory by naming the new field in honor of his sacrifice to our country.
It is the right thing to do
The following storty was written 10 years ago but in honor of Veterans Day, I am re-posting it here. Since we all love high school football and honor our Veterans on this special day, I thought it was appropriate. I hope you enjoy this amazing story.
Dave Pickren
====
The Stadium Project - Woodmont High School
by
Dave Pickren
Wednesday, April 6, 2005
Often in high school we count wins and losses, the number of seats in the stadium, the quality of the facilities and the number of trophies in the showcase. This defines how "good" the school is in football and we all hang our hat on these numbers. In the case of Woodmont none of those factors are important nor would they give the true story of a new school, a proud rural community and a true American Hero who gave his life in the service of his country.
I must admit that the stadium project has become one of my favorite series on SC Pigskin Prep. Com. As a history major from Wofford, I love researching the stadiums and hearing the old stories and traditions. As a football fan I love seeing the stadiums across the state and speaking with the people who hold these stadiums close to their hearts.
Last week I was returning from Greenwood, SC and stopped by Woodmont High School to take a few shots of the stadium. Normally when I am shooting pictures I start writing the story in my mind. I look around and try to get a feel for what makes the stadium special. I try to find something that will make readers of SCPP interested in the stadium. I want to know what makes the place special.
I was walking around the stadium at Woodmont and the only thing that kept running through my head was how could a school district as rich as Greenville have a stadium like Woodmont. I was thinking of all the ways to approach the inadequacies of Woodmont Stadium. I was wondering how this could pass as adequate in Greenville County where the unemployment rates are less than 2% and the County is home to a strong economic base.
I was leaving the stadium then I saw the marker.
WHITT MEMORIAL FIELD
Named in Honor Of
PFC Broadus Alfred Whitt
Co Captain of Woodmont's First Football Team
And Member of Woodmont High School
Class of 1966
Killed in Action March 25, 1968
Republic of Vietnam
The history major in me wanted to know more about PFC Whitt. I was intrigued and wanted to find out everything I could about this man who gave his life for his country and how this stadium came about to honor him.
A little research on the internet revealed that a Wayne Whitt was still living in Honea Path South Carolina. I called the number. A good ole boy with a pleasant sounding voice answered. I asked if he was related to Broadus Alfred Whitt. Immediately his tone changed and he answered that he was Alfred's brother, Wayne Whitt.
Hesitantly I asked if he would answer a few questions about his brother and told him what I was working on. He cheered up a little and said sure.
Immediately I told him how proud and grateful I was personally that his brother was willing to do his duty and to give his life for his country. Wayne replied that Alfred was a good boy and never was in any trouble. He said Alfred always did the right thing and never caused his parents any grief. He was an outstanding young man.
Broadus Alfred Whitt came from a large family who lived on the outskirts of Honea Path, South Carolina. He was born on September 28th, 1946. He was the 8th child in the family of 7 brothers and 4 sisters. He had a younger brother and 2 younger sisters.
Growing up, Alfred (as his family called him) was a quiet hard working young boy. He never was much for the outdoors and never enjoyed hunting or using guns. The rest of the family were big hunters and enjoyed deer season but Alfred preferred sports and his studies and his times at Church. Alfred attended Piedmont High School and then moved to Woodmont when the school was opened in 1965.
He played football and ran track during his junior and senior years at Woodmont. His senior year he was voted co - captain by his teammates. He wore #73 which is now retired at Woodmont and at 180 lbs. was a starting offensive tackle. His brother says he was elected captain not for his football skills but rather for how he treated people and because he was just a good ole boy that everyone liked. Everyone liked Alfred and he was friendly to all kinds of people his brother shared. It did not matter where you came from or who your "kin" were, you were all the same to Alfred.
The 1965 Woodmont Wildcat team did not have a particularly good season. Under Coach Wayne Belskis the team finished 2-7-1 with wins over Ford High School and Slater - Marietta. Alfred graduated in June of 1966 and went to work for a local textile company. He married his high school sweetheart in July of 1966.
In May of 1967 Alfred's number came up in the military draft lottery. Friends and family encouraged him to enlist in the National Guard to avoid a tour in Vietnam. But Alfred said it was his duty and responsibility to serve. He enjoyed the good things that he and his family had in South Carolina and he needed to do his duty to protect his way of life. He said it would not be right for someone to take his place in Vietnam. His brother said Alfred did not think he was any better than anyone else so why should someone else go and he stay at home.
Alfred went to basic training in June of 1967 and then was sent to Vietnam later that summer. He was sent to Quang Tri, South Vietnam which is the most northern providence of what was then South Vietnam. He was a Private First Class in the US Army 3rd Division. During most of 1968 Quang Tri was a favorite target of the NVA (North Vietnam Army) and the Vietcong. Both would attack Quang Tri and then move back into safe havens in the North or into Laos. Alfred served as a gunner in this division. By 1968 there were over 500,000 US combat troops in Vietnam. The majority of these troops were younger than Alfred who turned 21 during the early days of his tour.
On March 25th, 1968, 37 years ago this week, Alfred was killed during a night attack on his position in Quang Tri. The official cause of death was listed as trauma as a result of small arms fire. His body was recovered and was sent back to Piedmont where he was buried under full military honors. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart post humanously His grave site is in Greenville Memorial Gardens in Greenville, South Carolina. Alfred was 21 years old when he died for his country. He served for less than a year and was 7 months into his tour of Vietnam.
Today you can view PFC Broadus Alfred Whitt's name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington DC. Panel 46E Line 025.
For Alfred's family his death was very hard to accept. A quiet country boy from Honea Path South Carolina had died a world away for a war that many had concluded was unnecessary. During my conversation with his brother I could hear in his voice how much he still resented the war even 40 years later. "We had no business being there and Alfred should have been home with his family. Men were slaughtered there, I mean killed and those who came back were messed up pretty bad. Why it happened I do not know but Alfred deserved better than that...(pause).. they all did."
When Alfred came home he was buried with full military honors. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. By this time the county was beginning to split over Vietnam and many of the heroes coming home were not given their proper recognition. His brother says that most people just wanted to forget what happened over there and move on with their life but for his family it was difficult. The Whitt family struggled to come to terms with his death as the nation more and more ignored the Vietnam Veterans and those who died.
Later that year in 1968 one of Alfred's younger brother's was drafted into the army. His mother wrote Senator Strom Thurmond and Senator Fritz Hollings and told the 2 Senators that the family had lost 1 son in Vietnam and could not lose another. Alfred's brother's orders were changed and he served the county for 18 months in Germany.
Steve Chandler is a long time friend of Whitt family, a 1970 graduate of Woodmont; he served many years as Athletic Director at Woodmont. He recalled the day the community heard of Alfred's death. "His younger sister was in my class when they came and got her and told her Alfred has died." I can honestly say that was one of the worst days of my entire life. I lost a friend and the whole community lost a fine young man" remembers Chandler.
Chandler had grown up in the Piedmont community with his mother working in the schools and he knew all the Whitt family. He recalls how the community was in shock with Alfred's death and how the world kind of stopped when word reached home. Even today Chandler believes Alfred's death affects the community. "New students and Woodmont players see the marker and learn about Alfred Whitt and hopefully see his example and become better men and women as a result of his legacy."
Donnie Maddox is a life long resident of Piedmont, SC and was best friends and played football with Alfred at Woodmont. Donnie was a graduate of the Class of 1965 and like Alfred did a tour of duty in Vietnam. "One day I am standing at the depot at the 9th induction center in Long Bin in Vietnam and in walks Alfred Whitt" recalls Donnie. "Here we are 8000 miles away from home and in walks the guy that I grew up with back in South Carolina. It was the last time I would see him alive. He died 5 months later."
Maddox recalled how well Alfred was liked among his teammates and classmates back at Woodmont. Donnie remembers Whitt as a Christian young man who put his family and his Savior above everything else. Whitt was a member a Columbia Baptist Church and maintained a strong faith in his personal life.
Maddox stated: "You have to remember that the 60s were a time of turmoil in the country with Vietnam, the Civil rights movement, integration and all the changes. People looked to different places for things and a way to deal but Whitt always looked to the Church, his family and his friends" Maddox recalls. "He was just one of those guys that everyone loved and admired. I can honestly say that I have never known a finer Christian man than Alfred Whitt.
Maddox and 2 of his friends from Woodmont Class of 65 joined the military under the buddy program which allowed them to serve in the same unit while in the service. Kerry Durham was also a member of the Woodmont Class of 1965. He was a member of the 1st Air Calvary and was wounded 4 times in Vietnam. He received the Silver Star and the Purple Heart for his valor in Vietnam.
Maddox remembers that of the 4 young men from Woodmont that served their country during Vietnam only Whitt died in action. All 4 of the men were in Vietnam at the same time during and after the Tet offensive of 1968. Maddox considers him self fortunate to have made it home to his family.
Ironically Alfred almost never made it to Vietnam at all. In 1966 Whitt volunteered for the service. He went for his pre induction physical but failed the hearing test and was denied entry into the military. 8 months later his number was called in the draft lottery and this time he passed the hearing section and was assigned to Vietnam after basic training. His death would come 7 months later.
In 1986, the Class of 1966 was holding their 20th annual reunion. The idea was brought up to name the field at Woodmont High School after PFC Alfred Whitt. The Class approached Woodmont Principal Joe Broadus who immediately approved the idea. The next step was the Greenville County School Board. Approval was granted and a dedication ceremony was planned for the following school year. The Class of 1966 passed the hat at a meeting and the money was raised for the memorial to Whitt.
On Veterans Day in 1986 Woodmont Field officially became Whitt Memorial Field in honor of Private First Class Broadus Alfred Whitt. An honor color guard came up from Fort Jackson in Columbia. The field was dedicated to PFC Whitt in full military fashion. Marsha Davis who was a class mate of Whitt's and Maddox sang "God Bless America". The Whitt family was presented with a second flag by the honor guard. The entire Piedmont community honored their fallen son in a moving ceremony.
The Wildcats defeated Riverside that evening. Riverside head coach Louis Golden stated that there was no way his team was going to beat the emotional Wildcats that evening. "They were going to win that night for their hero and no one was going to stop them from winning" Golden was quoted as saying. The marker for PFC Whitt was placed under the old oak tree in the north end zone where it remains today.
Whitt Field at Woodmont Stadium named after a local American Hero will be torn down this year. A new Woodmont High School will be opened this fall and the old field replaced with a new one at the new school about 3 miles down the road. I can only hope that the marker for Alfred will be carried to the new field and the honor that the Class of 1966 bestowed on Alfred will continue at the new stadium.
I also think it would appropriate to list the other classmates of PFC Whitt who served in Vietnam during the time that Whitt was there. The 4 young men who did there duty for their country should have their name listed along with their fallen classmate.
In today's world with our military men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, I think it is even more important than ever to remember Alfred Whitt.
A man that loved his county and his family.
A man that gave his life in sacrifice for his country.
A man who is a true hero.
40 years ago Vietnam Veterans returning home did not receive the honors they deserved. The Woodmont High School Class of 1966 did the right thing and made sure that future Woodmont students would know who Alfred Whitt was and what he did for his country. Now Woodmont should continue to recognize PFC Whitt and honor his memory by naming the new field in honor of his sacrifice to our country.
It is the right thing to do