Jim Fair
Sgt. Tim Marcus and his wife, Tiffany, were recognized as representatives of military spouses and families in Greer at a media conference today at City Hall promoting the June 28 Freedom Blast. Mayor Rick Danner proclaimed May 28, 2013 as Military Spouses & Families Day for their sacrifices and support of the United States Armed Services.
Jim Fair
City Administrator Ed Driggers wore his patriotic tie to announce the entertainment and schedule at Freedom Blast.
Jim Fair
Jimmy Perkins, left, an original member of the Swingin' Medallions will bring his "Party Band of the South" to City Park as the headliner act for Freedom Blast.
Jim Fair
A City Hall conference room was filled during Tuesday's media announcement for Freedom Blast. At the end, echoes of 'Thank you' were heard for Sgt. Tim Marcus and his wife, Tiffany, for their service to the military and support of their spouse.
“Just say ‘thank you’," Marcus nervously and softly said in front of a crowded conference room at Greer City Hall today as he fought back tears. No other words were needed. Marcus, a member of the South Carolina Army Reserve and National Guard, was asked to speak on behalf of Greer military veterans, active duty and reserves who will be honored at the June 29 event at City Park.
Mayor Rick Danner proclaimed May 28, 2013 as Military Spouses & Families Day for their sacrifices and support of the United States Armed Services. “There is one group that we have overlooked at Freedom Blast – a group that is too often overlooked, and we would like to correct that right now,” Danner said, asking Tiffany Marcus to accept the proclamation on behalf of all military spouses and families.
The proclamation read in part, “Whereas, we recognize the heroic actions of the men and women who serve the United States as members of our Armed Forces, we also recognize another group of heroes – the husbands, wives and loved ones who balance family life, military life, and careers on the home front …”
The city’s media conference was held to promote the Swingin’ Medallions as the performing headliner for the free event surrounded by other entertainment, Greer Idol and Idol Teen competition, and a Military Tribute preceding the fireworks spectacular.
“Every year the recognition of our military is extremely popular, and you can feel it and sense it in the crowd,” City Administrator Ed Driggers said. The Military Tribute is designed to build up to the night’s fireworks. “We enjoy food and music, and then it’s like ‘May we have your attention.’ It’s so humbling to turn around and look at that crowd standing and applauding.”
Marcus, a Greer native, returned from his first overseas deployment – an 11-month assignment in Kuwait – on Dec. 23, 2012. He cites being away from family as the most difficult part of the 18 months he spent in training and deployment. Marcus, a 13-year veteran of the National Guard, and Tiffany have two children, son Devon (13), and daughter Jasmine (8).
“Spouses and families are challenged to maintain a daily routine while dealing with the stress of separation from their deployed loved ones, taking responsibility for maintaining homes, meeting financial responsibilities, keeping up with schoolwork and extracurricular activities, and celebrating life milestones in those absences,” Danner said. “That commitment to both their families and communities mirrors the brave and selfless spirit of their deployed patriots.”
Marcus and Tiffany lived for the daily communications during his deployment. “I had a routine that at 6 p.m. every day, I would rush to my laptop and wait for Tiffany to call,” Marcus said.
That routine provided some angst for Tiffany during one 5-day spell. “I told a buddy to tell my wife I went to the hospital with a friend,” Marcus said. That turned out to read on Tiffany’s Facebook as, “Marcus went to the hospital.”
It was a special Christmas last December when Marcus landed at Columbia to meet his family. “Him coming home that day, other than the birth of my kids, was the happiest day of my life,” Tiffany said.
Tiffany said the proclamation, “Was a great idea to acknowledge all the families.”
“I had so much to say and people to thank,” Marcus said. “Then (Preston Johnson of the Disabled American Veterans) came up and said all the servicemen want is, ‘Just say thank you’. That’s when it got emotional.”
As Marcus and Tiffany stood quietly for several moments, a ‘Thank you, Sgt. Marcus’ was heard from the front row, then another ‘Thank you’, and others followed as it echoed around the room.