Pittman to speak at Veterans Day program; parade possible before event

The Veterans Day program will be held at the Edisto Memorial Gardens Veterans Memorial Park following the planned parade.

If enough participants sign up, the parade will begin at the Russell Street bowling alley parking lot at 11 a.m. The parade will end at the Edisto Memorial Gardens Veterans Memorial, where the program will be held.

The program’s keynote speaker will be Lt. Col. Antonio M. Pittman. Pittman serves as the professor of military science for the South Carolina State University Army ROTC “Bulldog” Battalion and two non-host schools (Claflin University and Voorhees University).

A native of Latta, Pittman graduated from Benedict College in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. He was commissioned as second lieutenant to the Field Artillery Branch.

He holds a master’s degree in management and leadership from Webster University.

Pittman is also a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course and Captain’s Career Course and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Officer Course.

Pittman has a long list of assignments that include:

• Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he was with the Alpha Battery 1st Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment as a fire direction officer, platoon leader and subsequently the headquarters’ executive officer.

• Battalion maintenance officer and assistant S3/S2, while deployed to Mosul, Iraq in support of Iraqi Enduring Freedom.

• B Co, Warrior Transition Unit Fort Sam Houston, Texas, as the operations officer for the Basic Officer Leadership Course for the AMEDD C&S.

• Observer controller/trainer with the 157th IN BDE Fort Jackson and commanded Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, also at Fort Jackson.

• Operations officer and deputy fire support coordinator for the XVIII ABN Corps HQ’s, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

• Land forces’ division operations officer and military training advisor to the Royal Saudi Land Forces G3/Training, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

• Battalion executive officer for 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, and 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, Fort Jackson, where he was selected to serve on the 58th presidential inaugural ceremonies as the officer in charge/command lessons learned coordinator.

In this role, he was responsible for developing the command executive summary, which showcased key issues and solutions for all aspects pertaining to the inauguration to USNORTHCOM, Department of the Army and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

• Assistant professor of military science and executive officer for the University of Georgia Army ROTC “Bulldog” Battalion in Athens, Georgia.

• Fires branch chief for the 8th Army, G3 FSE, Camp Humphreys, Korea, an operational forward deployed Field Army Headquarters supporting U.S. Forces Korea.

Pittman’s awards include:

• Meritorious Service Medals (1 OLC)

• The Joint Service Commendation Medal

• The Army Commendation Medal

• The Army Achievement Medal

• The National Defense Service Medal

• The Iraq Campaign Medal

• The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

• The Overseas Service Ribbon

• The Senior Parachutist Badge

Pittman is married to the former Tasha Sampson of Summerville. They have two children: Elias and Eliza. They live in Orangeburg.