Letters to the Editor – July 19, 2017
On Memorial Day, May 29, 2017, I attended the service next to the Veteran’s Memorial in Darlington where Col. James Peterson, retired, gave the keynote address. He spoke about two soldiers from Darlington who fought in World War II and was not known by a lot of local folks except their families. One of those soldiers was Col. Peterson’s uncle, John Peterson. Col. Peterson described the area his uncle fought in and the difficulties of adjusting once he returned to Darlington. I believe this is what we now call PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The next day as I pondered the comments of Col. Peterson, it occurred to me that probably there are many families who have stories of family war heroes that are not well known outside of their families. These stories will fade away in two or three generations and would be lost forever. I think the citizens of Darlington County may be delighted to know of these Darlington heroes, regardless of which war they served in, and celebrate these men and women’s heroic sacrifices along with their families. Their stories could be recorded and remain with the Darlington County Historical Society for the public to celebrate.
I would like to hear if there is an interest in our city as well as county of bringing these stories to light by sending them to the Editor of the News and Press, if that is agreeable.
Regards,
Bill Abbott
Darlington
843-393-1852
