The six-hour tour will take place February 16.

Visitors will be able to watch soldiers conduct weapons training, eat in an Army dining hall and attend the soldiers’ graduation.

Those who would like to attend can reserve a spot by calling Fort Jackson’s community relations office.

More than 60,000 soldiers train at Fort Jackson every year.

Livingston was one of those honored in Greenwood ceremony

The time and place have been etched indelibly in the mind of veteran Sergeant James Henderson, Jr. of Ninety-Six, South Carolina. That was the time Henderson suffered the wounds of combat. Henderson contacted 3rd District Congressman Jeff Duncan’s office several months ago to request assistance in obtaining medals that he never received during his military career. After working with the Defense Department, it was confirmed that Sergeant Henderson rightfully earned a Purple Heart and several other medals. On Monday, Congressman Duncan officially awarded Henderson with a Purple Heart in a ceremony Monday afternoon at steps of the old Greenwood County Library. Henderson says while he is honored, the memories are painful.

AUDIO: Henderson was moved (:12)

During the ceremony attended by local veterans, State Rep. Mike Pitts presented a Purple Heart to another Vietnam veteran Robert J. Livingston.

Duncan told WLMA’s Anne Eller it is a scar on the nation that the returning Vietnam veterans were not treated the way they deserved to be treated. He says ceremonies like the one in Greenwood Monday is an effort to right a wrong. Duncan says honoring soldiers that have been wounded in battle is always for him a humbling experience.

AUDIO: Duncan says we all should do more to honor veterans (:32)

Anne Eller, WLMA Greenwood covered this story.

Local aircrew members from the 315th Airlift Wing manned the craft during its flight from Long beach, California to North Charleston.

Major General Robert Kane was also on the flight. He is the director of global reach programs and is responsible for air force acquisitions for aircraft.

The C-17 Globemaster III is a cargo aircraft, capable of transporting troops and supplies. It can perform tactical and aeromedical missions.

Rob Miller

As the United States prepares to withdraw all forces from Iraq by the end of the month, a number of South Carolina veterans who have made their mark as Democrats in the political arena commented on the end of the war in a media call Wednesday sponsored by the Truman National Security Project.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Rob Miller served two tours in Iraq. Miller said President Obama kept his pledge to end U.S. troop involvement in Iraq once the country was prepared to defend itself. While it was the Bush Administration that set the December 31 deadline, that original plan had sought a small number of contingency troops to remain behind.

Miller says he is proud of the U.S. military’s successful mission in Iraq.

AUDIO: Miller says the U.S. accomplished its mission in Iraq

Miller says he thinks about the nearly 4500 soldiers who have died and the thousands that have been wounded during the war. While running as a Democrat, Miller lost to incumbent Republican Joe Wilson in the race for the 2nd Congressional seat in 2010.

As a member of the South Carolina Army National Guard, Rep. James Smith (D-Columbia) served in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008. Smith says all of America should be proud of what the soldiers were able to accomplish in helping Iraq develop a democratic government.

Smith says his thoughts are with the brave men and women who have served in the military and the sacrifices that they and their families have made during the War in Iraq.

AUDIO: Smith says the end of the war is an end worthy of our soldiers’  sacrifices

Fellow legislator Sen. Phil Leventis (D-Sumter) is a 30-year veteran in the U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard. Leventis says he well knows that being deployed involves sacrifice not only for the soldier, but his or her family as well. Leventis says he remembers being called to duty as a fighter pilot in the Persian Gulf War in 1991.

AUDIO: Leventis says veterans need to be supported when they return

Leventis acknowledged President Obama’s efforts to take care of veterans as they return home. He says the U.S. will continue to be committed to its allies, but must first and foremost be committed to America.

VA spokesperson Tonya Lobbestael–

“It is a 7,000 square-foot addition onto the front of the VA that is going to house mental health services–especially for veterans who are living long-term with mental illness,” says Lobbestael.

Lobbestael says they began the project about 18 months ago.

“We partnered with the Army Corps of Engineers to design and build, and we are just thrilled because this really is one of the hallmark moves for the expansion and the aggressive stance that we have taken in the VA to make sure our veterans are getting timely access to mental health care,” says Lobbestael.

In 2006, the Charleston VA had about 13 percent of all patients who needed mental health services. That number has increased significantly.

“We’ve really done a lot more than just build a building. We have more than doubled the size of our mental health staff in the past five years, and we have seen those veterans who are currently our patients, we serve over 55,000 here at the VA, with about 25 percent of them now receiving mental health services. That is up 12 percent over five years ago,” says Lobbestael.

Lobbestael says the new Enrichment Center is an addition in the front of the VA, to serve multiple purposes.

“It is full of wonderful glass-fronted classroom settings where they’ll be doing psychosocial rehabilitation, staff offices, group meeting rooms, a lovely courtyard where they can have some outdoor activities–which is very, very nice,” says Lobbestael.

Lobbestael says the structure of the building was designed to allow room for more growth on the top of the new Veterans Enrichment Center. The mental health service portion of the Charleston VA has increased its staff from 71 to 190 in the past five years due to the increase in mental health service demands.

Senator Lindsey Graham

The U.S. Senate agreed with Senator Lindsey Graham that the National Guard should be part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Senator Lindsey Graham says the Senate’s approval on his amendment to give the National Guard a seat on the Joint Chiefs of Staff was long overdue. Graham says the amendment is recognition and a fitting tribute for our citizen-soldiers and the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our nation.” Graham says guardsmen and reservists are citizen-soldiers and they deserve and have earned a seat at the table. Graham’s amendment was added by a voice vote to the Defense Authorization Bill. The Senate will continue debating the measure and final approval is expected later this week.

Graham says The Guard and Reserve “is indispensable to fighting the War on Terror and protecting the homeland.” His legislation was endorsed by the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the National Convention Association, the National Guard Association of the United States, the Adjutants General Association of the United States, and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States.

Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC)

“It wasn’t that big of a deal. We were on the tarmac in Kandahar, getting ready to fly back up to Kabul, and had a rocket attack come in,” He told Greenwood affiliate WLMA, “I was up in the cockpit of the C-130 with the pilot and the co-pilot talking with them, when the rocket attack happened. They didn’t seem too alarmed…so my senses came back down a little bit.”
                                               
AUDIO: Duncan talks about his trip with WLMA’s Anne Eller (8:34)

The group included Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Rep. Gene Green (D-Houston) Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo), and Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania). Duncan told WLMA host Anne Eller that, even though he was never in real danger, he was still nervous when he heard the rockets hit nearby.

“I definitely sat up straight in the seat. I was ready to head to a shelter. But, (they) actually had an engine they were working on, and one of the crewmen stuck his head up and said ‘do we want to keep him on the plane or do we want to take him to a shelter?’ And the pilot said ‘no, let’s just keep him on the plane’, and he went back to filling out some paperwork. They weren’t too alarmed.”

Duncan said the group was visiting Afghanistan so they could learn more about the challenges facing American troops there. He said he was afraid a decision by the Obama Administration earlier this year to withdraw troops from the country earlier than planned would hurt the mission there.

The group also visited Iraq, Pakistan, and the Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany.

Greenwood affiliate WLMA’s Anne Eller contributed to this report

Sen. Lindsey Graham (File)

Officials in the U.S. and Europe are greatly concerned that Iran is planning on building nuclear weapons. However, Iranian leaders say they are only working to develop a nuclear program to generate electricity and provide fuel for medical reactors.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said he is wary about Iran’s motives, “In a closed dictatorship, you really don’t know and I’m afraid time is not on our side,” Graham told Fox News Tuesday, “I think it’s universally believed that they are trying to develop a nuclear weapon, not nuclear power. The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) report was chilling. They are further down the road than I thought.”

“The (Obama) Administration needs to get the Chinese and the Russians on board quickly and if that doesn’t work, Israel has to make a decision. It would be better for the United States to use military force, if it were ever used.”

Iranian leaders say generating nuclear power will allow them to refrain from dipping into their oil supply which they prefer to sell abroad.

Graham said if Iran develops a nuclear weapon, the Middle East would be thrown into chaos and that is why the U.S. and its allies have to act to make sure that such a development does not happen.

 ”The Iranian theocracy, the ayatollahs with a nuclear weapon, they may give it to a terrorist. They may use it against Israel. They would blackmail the region,” he said, “I don’t think there’s any doubt in my mind that is a non-starter. Sanctions could work. You would have to cut off their refined petroleum. The Russians and the Chinese would have to play harder than they are today. I’m willing to try another round of sanctions”.

Graham said he views military intervention as a last resort, “I would use military force as a last option. Not relish it, but resolved to do it, because it they do get a nuclear weapon the whole Middle East goes into a nuclear arms race. The Israelis will never know freedom and security if Iran has a nuclear weapon.”

In a recent interview with Greenwood affiliate WLMA, South Carolina Adjutant General Robert Livingston says, while a key part of the services are to help families cope while the veteran is deployed, it is also important to have programs in place to help with the adjustment period when the soldier returns home. He said the period of separation often means the solider, as well as the family, may have undergone changes from an emotional, physical, and other standpoints.

AUDIO: General Livingston says both the family and the soldier must readjust after deployment ends

Colonel Ronald Taylor is helping to coordinate the services provided for veterans, active soldiers, and their families in South Carolina. Taylor told WLMA that the services address nearly every aspect of the soldier’s life and the needs of the soldier’s family. Taylor says during this time high unemployment, a very vital service that is being provided to veterans and their families is the civilian job search component.

AUDIO: Taylor helps coordinate services for soldiers and families

Anne Eller of Greenwood affiliate WLMA contributed to this report

“I think it’s wonderful that they are doing this for the veterans. It’s very emotional for me because so many of these young people chose to go and serve, my children didn’t have to go and serve,” said Steele.

Maxine Gross of Lexington said, “I want to honor these people who have dedicated their lives to serving our country at a time when our country is in peril. It’s just incumbent upon us that we as citizens are able to come out and say ‘thank you’,” says Gross.

An Army veteran who served in Korea stood by and watched his fellow troops: “We shouldn’t take anything for granted. We are at war right now and we are fighting for our freedom and I’m proud to be here today. But, somebody fought, died sweat, blood and tears so we could be here today,” he said.

Helped by a flare overhead, an officer watches recruits during a night exercise at Fort Jackson

Just in time for Veterans Day, Fort Jackson opened up its training program to some community leaders this week, giving a rare public look into how more than 54,000 troops are trained on the post each year.

The fort hosted about 100 guests Tuesday night, as officers explained the 10-week basic training of new Army recruits.

Post Commander Maj. Gen. James Milano wanted to help teach the public about what happens on a daily basis at the sprawling fort outside Columbia. About two or three times per year, special guests are invited to visit and learn more.

Several of the fort’s commanders briefed the visitors Tuesday night on the typical soldier’s experience– a new enlistee goes through 10 weeks of basic training at Ft. Jackson before moving on to advanced training, usually at another installation.

Part of the tour includes a visit to the field, where three companies of troops were going through live-fire training. They had to crawl on their arms and stomachs (knees not allowed) across 350 yards, with barbed wire blocking their path and machine guns bullets flying over their heads.

“Eight weeks ago, these volunteers were civilians,” Lt. Colonel J.C. Glick of the 193rd Infantry Brigade said as the bus traveled to the range, “They didn’t know how to march, how to wear the uniform, they didn’t know anything. They were just U.S. citizens who volunteered to serve our country. Tonight, you’re going to see them transforming into soldiers.”

The entire drill took about 20 minutes. The soldiers slowly made their way across the field on their bellies, freezing whenever a flare lit up the area. The visitors watched through night vision scopes behind the machine gun towers, ear plugs safely in. By the end of the crawl, many of the troops were exhausted, but still trudged on as drill sergeants occasionally yelled “Get off your knees!”

Many in the crowd were veterans, themselves. Bill Heil is a military liaison with the American Legion Post 195 in Kershaw County. He said he always tries to sign up whenever Fort Jackson does a public tour.

“It’s amazing how these kids really can do that,” he said. “I’m just amazed every time I come out here, really.”

Heil said he went through Fort Jackson himself in 1968. ”Back then it was mud,” he recalled. “One time, we went out and it was hot and dry and the ground was dust. So I said, “Drill sergeant, there’s no mud here, it’s going to be a breeze.’ And he said, “well, give me about 15 minutes,’ then he called in three fire trucks. He shot water for about half an hour.”

However, Heil admitted he avoided taking part in the drill because he had colic. Instead, the sergeant had him keep track of the scores for the other recruits.

The post has 3,500 active military members and conducts basic training for 36,000 recruits each year– half of the new troops nationwide. An additional 8,000 receive advanced training, while 10,000 more attend courses at the Soldier Support Institute Chaplaincy Center, Drill Sergeant School, and the National Center for Credibility Assessment.  The Army estimates the fort has a $2.6 billion impact on the local economy.

Rep. Jeff Duncan

The 12-member bipartisan congressional “super committee” has until November 23 to come up with recommendations for reducing the nation’s debt by at least $1.2 trillion over 10 years.

However, South Carolina 3rd District Congressman Jeff Duncan says he is more focused on short term spending. Because Congress has yet to approve the year’s budget, a continuing resolution has the government funded through November 18. In a recent interview with Greenwood affiliate WLMA, Duncan said his immediate focus is on the next continuing resolution.

AUDIO: Duncan focused on the next continuing resolution

Duncan expressed concerns on what is likely to occur when automatic debt reduction triggers kick in if the committee does not come up with recommendations by the November 23 deadline. The vast majority of the automatically triggered cuts would fall on discretionary spending, with half of the $109 billion yearly cuts coming in defense. Medicare would be cut a maximum of 2 percent, or about $11 billion in the fiscal year 2013 budget.

Duncan says he is in favor of targeted cuts, which he says would be more favorable than across-the-board cuts.

AUDIO: Duncan says automatic triggers would include significant military spending cuts

A group of 100 representatives, made up of Republicans and a number of moderate Democrats, has crafted a letter to the “super committee” calling for all options to be laid on the table in the quest to shave the federal debt. They are urging the panel to go past its mandate of $1.2 trillion over 10 years and find $4 trillion in debt reduction.

Greenwood affiliate WLMA’s Anne Eller contributed to this report