Tri-County Tech, local guard members help veterans with college bills

ANDERSON COUNTY, SC Tri-County Technical College’s Anderson campus presented its annual Patriot Run and Freedom Ride fundraiser Saturday for local veterans who want to further their educations.

The day’s activities included a 5K road race and a couple of 1-mile walks, along with a motorcycle tour of the M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery, Pendleton’s veterans’ memorial, the Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home and other sites. Members of the state National Guard’s 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command in Anderson were out in force along with veterans and their families; Tri-County Tech staff members and administrators; and Westside High School JROTC students.

Brandt Thompson, a member of the 263rd, was awarded for the patriotic ensemble he ran in — a bright red wig; red, white and blue suspenders; and red and white pants. He also took third Saturday in the men ages 45-49 part of the 5K.

“I participate every year,” said Thompson, who lives in Townville. “For me, the biggest thing is raising money for veterans to support their scholarships here at the Anderson campus.”

Tri-County Anderson campus director Tim Bowen said local veterans and reservists draw on federal Veterans Affairs and GI Bill benefits for pay for schooling, but many don’t have enough deployment or seniority to qualify for full coverage of their college bills.

The Tri-County Technical College Foundation will use the money raised Saturday to offset expenses veterans incur while attending the college.

“We have about 200 veterans who certified with us to use their VA benefits, but we think the actual number of veterans we have 300 to 400,” Bowen said. “We had a veteran last year who was just a few hours from graduating, but his books cost $900, and he had nothing to cover that. The foundation helps fill that gap so that maybe we don’t lose that veteran.”

The 263rd is based at the guard armory across from the Anderson Mall. As part of the nation’s air defense infrastructure, unit members operate early warning systems, missile batteries and other gear that requires strong aptitudes for math, engineering and other sciences.

“Younger guard members just now starting out haven’t had a chance to deploy overseas and aren’t eligible yet for those (GI Bill) benefits,” said 263rd commander Lt. Col. Tim Sellers. “The Tri-County Tech foundation helps to fill those gaps a national guard check can’t fill. Everything Tri-County Tech does is going to improve their skills and marketability inside the Guard and outside.”

Anyone who wants to contribute to the cause should visitwww.tctc.edu/Foundation.xml for more information.