Gilbert FFA Chapter President Ricky Keisler (left) presents a basket of peaches to
Will Amick and Flint Holbrook.
STATE FFA OFFICERS IN PEACH FESTIVAL PARADE
GILBERT, SC….State FFA President K. Flint Holbrook of Clover and State Vice President Will Amick of Lexington attended the 50th annual Lexington County Peach Festival on July 4 in Gilbert, said John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA Association.
Riding in a BMW convertible, the state officers led the impressive Gilbert FFA float in the parade through the downtown area and on to the new high school. The float was among those shown on a Columbia TV newscast later in the day.
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Flint Holbrook and Will Amick |
The state officers were joined by two local FFA officers and other agricultural leaders and government officials for the dignitaries program and luncheon.
US Marine Lieutenant Clebe McClary of Pawleys Island, an internationally respected American hero of the Vietnam conflict and inspiring professional speaker, gave the keynote address at the dignitaries program. McClary was tragically wounded as he led a group of soldiers up a Vietnam hill in March, 1968. He lost his left arm, his left eye and a portion of his right hand from an enemy hand grenade. He spent two and one-half years in the hospital undergoing 34 major surgeries. Since that time, McClary has used his story of courage, faith and determination to touch the lives of people around the world.
This year’s festival drew a record breaking crowd to celebrate the freedom we enjoy as Americans and to spotlight the importance of the peach industry.
“ South Carolina, one of the premier peach producing states in the nation, is second only to California followed by Georgia which ranks third,” Parris said.
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Gilbert FFA Advisor Derrick Cooper is shown driving the new tractor to pull the chapter float. Gilbert Chapter President Ricky Keisler is on the float in official dress. |
Will Amick (left) with Lt. Clebe McClary and Flint Holbrook. |
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| State Representative Kit Spires (left) with Flint Holbrook, US Congressman Joe Wilson and Will Amick. |
Will Amick (second from left) and Flint Holbrook watch as Spencer McLeod markets peaches from his family farm at the Gilbert Peach Festival. |