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Shaw celebrates U.S. Air Force, local history FROM STAFF REPORTS SHAW AIR FORCE BASE — In celebration of the 69th birthday of the Air Force and the 75th Anniversary of Shaw Air Force Base, the 20th Fighter Wing hosted an Air Force Ball on Friday at Sumter County Civic Center, according to a news release from the base. The event brought together leaders from the 20th Fighter Wing, tenant units and community leaders to honor a profound military history as well as foster esprit de corps, the release states. Approximately 800 guests attended the ball. Events throughout the evening included presentation of the colors, a traditional cake-cutting ceremony and a POW/MIA remembrance ceremony. The guest speaker was retired Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley.
U.S. says it may have struck Syrian troops
PHOTOS PROVIDED
Honor guardsmen perform the five-hat ceremony during Friday’s Air Force Ball at Sumter County Civic Center. The ceremony symbolizes the spirit of POW/ MIAs and honors their legacy of service and sacrifice. Left, guests participate in a party shirt dance contest during the ball on Friday. Contestants were judged based off audience applause and the winners were announced as king or queen of the ball.
A nice affordable place to call home Bob Brown, left, construction manager for Habitat for Humanity, gives Charlie Dunham the keys to his new home during the dedication ceremony Saturday afternoon.
Unintentional strike came during raid on IS BEIRUT (AP) — The U.S. military said it may have unintentionally struck Syrian troops while carrying out a raid against the Islamic State group on Saturday, threatening an already fragile U.S. and Russianbrokered cease-fire that has largely held despite dozens of alleged violations on both sides. It marks the first known direct American strike on Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces. The United Nations Security Council scheduled a closed emergency meeting for Saturday night at Russia's request to discuss the airstrike. U.S. Central Command said the strike was immediately halted "when coalition officials were informed by Russian officials that it was possible the personnel and vehicles targeted were part of the Syrian military." The Syrian military said the deadly airstrike hit a base in the eastern city of Deir el-Zour that is surrounded by IS, allowing the extremists to advance and overrun Syrian army positions in the area. Russia's military said it was told by the Syrian army that at least 62 soldiers were killed in the air raid and more than 100 wounded. The apparently errant strike could deal a crushing blow to the fragile cease-fire that has largely held for five days despite dozens of alleged violations on both sides. The ceasefire, which does not apply to attacks on IS, has already been the subject of disputes between Moscow and Washington, with each accusing the other of failing to fully implement it. "Coalition forces would not intentionally strike a known Syrian military unit," the U.S. military statement said. The Syrian military said the airstrikes enabled an IS advance on a hill overlooking the air base. It called the strike a "serious and blatant attack on Syria and its military," and "firm proof of the U.S. support of Daesh," using the Arabic acronym for IS.
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Brother and sister moving into new Habitat for Humanity house FROM STAFF REPORTS
C
harlie Dunham and his sister, Rosa, will soon be living in a brand new home thanks to Sumter Habitat for Humanity. The organization held a ceremony Saturday to present the keys to the three bedroom, two bath house to the new owners and to commemorate the completion of Sumter Habitat for Humanity's 119th
home in Sumter. Theresa White, executive director of Sumter Habitat for Humanity, said the transfer of ownership was made official on Friday. “Now Charlie and Rosa have a nice affordable place to call home,” she said. Bob Brown, construction manager for Habitat for Humanity, said Charlie Dunham showed a lot of patience and put in a lot of hard work as the home was being constructed.
Brown said the home was repeatedly delayed when suppliers sent incorrect materials and components for the house. “The front screens are on order,” he said wryly. Much of the volunteer work that went into the home came from college students participating in the “Collegiate Challenge,” in which universities compete to see who can donate the most volunteers hours during the summer break.
Working on the Dunham’s home were students from Brock University, Ohio Northern, Roger Williams University, Washington College and Boston College. "They pay money for the privilege of helping us build houses," H4H Board Member Cynthia Clark said. Also contributing volunteer hours were members of Bike and Build, and personnel from Shaw Air Force Base.
SEE HABITAT, PAGE A9
Sister of Emanuel AME shooting victim to speak BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com Blondelle C. Gadsden, a lifelong member and trustee of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, could not believe the news when she found out her adopted sister, Myra Thompson, 59, was killed in a mass shooting of nine church members on June 17, 2015. Gadsden will be the featured speaker at the Sumter
Chapter Parents of Murdered Children A Day of Remembrance event on Thursday at the old Sumter County Courthouse steps, from 6 to 7 p.m. Prior to the speaking engagement, a march will be held from 5:30 to GADSDEN 6 p.m. from Central Carolina Technical College's Main Street Campus to the courthouse lawn. This
DEATHS, A9 and A11 Wilbur C. Ardis Jr. Thomas P. Mathis III Andrew W. Muller Riller F. Watkins Annette O. Bleasdale Frances H. Boyce Joseph Bolden Jr.
Shirley B. Brown Minnie C. Little Annie L. Gist Belle D. Mosley Ja’Quell M. Dinkins Huroy H. Brown Wash Chapman Jr.
year's theme of the event is "Moving Forward in Hope." Thompson was an active member of the church, serving as a trustee and was on the church's property committee, along with teaching Bible THOMPSON study. Thompson was also a former teacher in the Charleston County School District for more
than 20 years. "She was a caring, loving person, who had a desire for helping people," Gadsden said. "She was fully committed to the church and could inspire others to get involved in her various projects." Thompson was studying to be a minister, and was leading the Bible study the night she and eight others were killed.
SEE SISTER, PAGE A9
WEATHER, A12
INSIDE
WARM BUT PLEASANT
5 SECTIONS, 36 PAGES VOL. 121, NO. 283
Mixed clouds and sunshine today and warmer with chance of rain; tonight, warm, becoming cloudy and humid. HIGH 89, LOW 70
Business D1 Classifieds D4 Comics E1 Opinion A10
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