Honoring all who served

Every Nov. 11, we pause to honor the men and women of our U.S. armed forces — those who have served and those who continue to wear the uniform. In communities like ours, Veterans Day carries special meaning because service and sacrifice are woven into who we are.

At West Carolina, that same spirit of service runs deep. We see it in the veterans among our employees and leadership and in the way each of you serves our members and communities every single day. Whether through military duty or public service, the desire to contribute to something greater than ourselves ties us together.

Honoring West Carolina’s Own Veterans and Leaders

We’re proud to count several remarkable individuals among our leadership and West Carolina family who have served our country with distinction.

Board Member Lt. Col. (Ret.) Robert Hester served 20 years in the U.S. Army, beginning his career after graduating from West Point in 1979. From early Infantry assignments at Ft. Benning, Georgia, and South Korea, to becoming an Army Aviator after flight training at Ft. Rucker, Alabama, Robert’s career took him around the world:

• Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, GA (1984–1989)
• Joint Readiness Training Center, Little Rock AFB, AR (1989–1991)
• Ft. Leavenworth, KS (1991–1992)
• Germany (1992–1996)
• The Pentagon, Washington, DC (1996–1999)

Now retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, he continues to serve through his leadership on West Carolina’s Board of Directors.

Robert’s father, James T. “Jim” Hester, also served his country and this cooperative. After graduating from Clemson University in 1953, Jim joined the U.S. Army, serving until 1957 and holding the rank of Lieutenant. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Benning, Georgia; and Fort Shafter, Hawaii, with extended assignments throughout Asia supporting Voice of America, USIS, Voice of UN Command, and the 8th Army Psychological War Headquarters. Following his military service, Jim continued a life of leadership and service as a West Carolina Board of Director.

We also honor Major Ferris Ansel Rhodes, husband of West Carolina Director Jane Stone. A Greenwood, South Carolina native, Major Rhodes served in the SC National Guard (1958–1966) before entering active duty in the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam (1966–1967), later completing helicopter and fixed-wing flight training. Jane and Ferris were married in 1966, and together faced the challenges of military life. On his second tour to Vietnam, while assigned to the 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Battalion, his aircraft went down on January 3, 1971. After years of searching, he was declared deceased in August 1978. His courage and sacrifice remind us of the true cost of service.

We remember Staff Sergeant Walter Thomas, retired West Carolina Director and father of our own Mike Thomas, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, taking part in the Normandy Invasion on D-Day — one of the most defining moments of courage in our nation’s history.

And we are proud to honor retired Director Ned McGill, from the Starr area, who graduated Clemson ROTC and served his country in the Army (1963-1965) and later in the North Carolina and South Carolina Army National Guard, before dedicating many years of leadership to West Carolina. His commitment — both in uniform and through this cooperative — reflects the best of who we are.

In addition to these leaders, we honor several WC employees who served our nation and now serve our members with that same sense of duty:

• TJ Waters – Served 21 years (2002–2023) in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a First Sergeant.
• Devin Glenn – Served on Active Duty in the U.S. Army (2016–2020) and in the National Guard (2020–2023) as a Corporal (E-4) and Forward Observer (13F).
• Stephen Taylor – Served in the United States Coast Guard as an E-3 Fireman from 1996–2000.
• Nick Holbrooks – Served five years in the U.S. Army (2014-2019), attaining the rank of E-4.
• Justin Saylors – Served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves from 2013–2015, achieving the rank of Lance Corporal (E-3).

Each of these individuals embodies the values that define West Carolina — commitment, teamwork, and service to others. They remind us that serving doesn’t end when the uniform comes off — it continues through the work we do and the people we help.

Many of you have spouses, parents, children, siblings, or loved ones who have served and proudly wore the uniform as well. We honor their sacrifices and thank them for the example they’ve set for all of us.

A Personal Reflection on Service

Service runs deep in my own family as well. Melissa’s paternal grandfather, Gordon Whited, served in the U.S. Navy Seabees during World War II. His son, and my father-in-law, Lance Cpl. Donald Ray Whited, served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1971–1973 with a tour in Southeast Asia. Melissa’s maternal grandfather, Charles Underwood, also served proudly as a U.S. Marine, with most of his assignment at Marine Base Quantico.

On my side of the family, my maternal grandfather, Pvt. William Ralph Whitley Sr., served in the U.S. Army beginning in 1943, and several of his sons followed:

• Sgt. William Ralph Whitley Jr., U.S. Air Force, 1950–1963, with a tour in England.
• Cpl. Glen Riley Whitley, U.S. Army, 1969–1971, Vietnam.
• Sgt. 1st Class Stanley Ray Whitley, U.S. Army Reserves, 1976–2005, served in Operation Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom.
• 1st Sgt. Wendell Lee Sharpton, U.S. Army, 1958–1979, two tours in Vietnam, one in Germany.

And a close cousin, Retired Sgt. Maj. Dan Bowman, served from 1963–1989, with two tours in Korea and one in Vietnam. His career, like so many others, reflects a lifelong commitment to faith, family, and country — a legacy I deeply respect.

That same spirit of service continues in the next generation. Melissa’s nephews, Dawson Whited and Elijah Whited, have both recently answered the call — Dawson in the U.S. Air Force and Elijah in the U.S. Marine Corps.

These stories remind me that while the branches and eras differ, the heart of service is the same: showing up, standing ready, and putting others first. It’s a mindset that defines both our veterans and our team at West Carolina.

Service Beyond the Uniform

Every day at West Carolina, we have the privilege of serving our members — connecting families, powering businesses, and helping our region thrive. Whether it’s keeping a line up during a storm or helping a neighbor stay connected, that’s service in action.

As we honor our veterans this Veterans Day, let’s also celebrate the many ways each of you serves. Together, we carry forward a proud tradition of dedication, compassion, and commitment that has long defined our communities.

Thank you to all who have served and to those who continue to serve — both in uniform and here at West Carolina.