Orangeburg’s Memorial Day ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, May 26.
The ceremony will be held at 1643 Russell Street at the Orangeburg County Library and Conference Center in front of the amphitheater. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved inside the conference center.
Retired Major General Todd B. McCaffrey, the S.C. Department of Veterans Affairs secretary, will be the keynote speaker at the ceremony.
McCaffrey is the state’s second secretary of the DVA. He was nominated by Gov. Henry McMaster and unanimously confirmed by the state Senate in March 2023.
McCaffrey served in the U.S. Army for more than 34 years, completing his military career as the chief of staff, United States Africa Command.
During his military career, McCaffrey commanded units at all echelons through division-level and led both an infantry battalion and Stryker Brigade Combat Team in combat.
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His other assignments include service as chief of staff to two four-star level commanders, and as the deputy commander at U.S. Army Pacific where he supervised Army operations across the Pacific.
McCaffrey is a 1986 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and holds master-level degrees in economics from the Colorado School of Mines and national security studies from the U.S. Army War College.
He has earned the Combat Infantry Badge, is a three-time recipient of the Army’s Distinguished Service Medal and has been awarded the Bronze Star multiple times for meritorious service in combat.
Following military retirement, McCaffrey relocated to South Carolina and joined the University of South Carolina as the director of military affairs. He assisted the university by integrating and expanding its portfolio of defense and other national security-related efforts.
Upon departing the university, he consulted in the private sector to clients in defense-related industries, government and academia and served on the board of directors for a South Carolina-based veteran’s service organization.
McCaffrey is also an Association of the U.S. Army Leadership Fellow, supporting efforts to educate, inspire and connect leader development programs across the Army and its supporters.
Sunday’s program will also include prayer, the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem.
Orangeburg Mayor Michael Butler will provide the welcome and American Legion Post 4 will recognize the Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.
Others recognized will include the Gold Star Mothers, Blue Star Families of South Carolina, veterans organizations and public officials.
The Auxiliary and VFW Posts 2779 and 8166 will conduct the laying of the wreath ceremony and Steve Jarvis will provide the playing of Taps.
The program is sponsored by a number of veterans’ organizations.
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